Orthodox Church Patriarch Expresses Condolences at Pope's Death

VOA.com ^ | 03 April 2005

[lizol]

Orthodox Church Patriarch Expresses Condolences at Pope's Death

By VOA News 03 April 2005

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II From Moscow, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II has sent a condolence message to the Vatican, saying members of his church mourn the loss of Pope John Paul together with all Roman Catholics.

In a letter to the dean of the Vatican's college of cardinals Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, Patriarch Alexy said Pope John Paul himself, as well as his works and ideas, have made a strong impact on the world. "May his memory live forever," the Russian church leader wrote.

Patriarch Alexy said he hopes the Orthodox and Roman churches can renew their "relations of mutual respect and fraternal Christian love" in the future, after a new Catholic pope is chosen.

Pope John Paul spoke many times about his hopes for closer relations between the Vatican and the church in Moscow, and of his wish to visit Moscow. All attempts to arrange a papal trip failed, however, with most observers saying objections from the Moscow patriarchate blocked the pope's travel plans.

Patriarch Alexy has accused the Roman Catholic church of trying to recruit converts in predominantly Orthodox areas of the world. The Vatican has denied such charges.

[fortunecookie]

Thank you for posting this. It is heartwarming to hear. I'd only seen the deficient VOA version.

[Destro]

Patriarch Alexy said he hopes the Orthodox and Roman churches can renew their "relations of mutual respect and fraternal Christian love" in the future, after a new Catholic pope is chosen....So - what - is that supposed to mean, that he considers John Pauld II as personally responsible for lack of dialogue between Catholic ad Orthodox Church????

No you idjit! It means their was a dialogue which of course can't contiunue with the Pope being that he is now dead so the Orthodox will RENEW their discussions once a new Pope is chosen.

[MarMema]

Mar 3 2005 8:42PM Patriarch Alexy II wishes Pope quick recovery

MOSCOW. Mar 3 (Interfax) - Russian Patriarch Alexy II, in his message to Pope John-Paul II, thanked the pontiff for congratulating him on his name day and wished him a quick recovery from his recent health problems.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church said that he and the pontiff both agreed on the need for Orthodox and Catholic Christians to issue a joint statement on Christian values in the contemporary world.

[MarMema]

russian orthodox church

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia Wished Soonest Recovery Pope John Paul II

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent a telegramme to His Holiness John Paul II the Pope of Rome with his best wishes of recovery. The complete text is given below:

To His Holiness John Paul II, the Pope of Rome

Your Holiness! Kindly accept expression of our brotherly prayerful support as illness befell You.

May the All-Merciful Lord give You recovery and strengthen You as You carry out Your lofty service as Primate of the Roman Catholic Church for the welfare of your flock and for common Christian ministry of peace and justice.

With love in the Lord,
+ALEXY, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

[MarMema]

Pope's last message

'To all humanity, which today seems so lost and dominated by the power of evil, selfishness and fear, our resurrected Lord gives us his love which forgives, reconciles and reopens the soul to hope,' John Paul's words said.

[fortunecookie]

Another nice story of their interactions. I like the name day tradition. My mother, though we were raised Roman Catholic, continued the tradition she grew up with, with her kids and I do, too.

[K. Smirnov]

This rift is not only about the Great Schism, but also about Crusaders slaying thousands of their Eastern Orthodox brethren when storming Constantinople and recent attempts (last decade) of Catholic prozelytising in Russia.

[lizol]

Excuse me, could you explain what "idjit" is?

[lizol]

Believe me, my intention was no to start any Orthodox - Catholic war. I'm just driven by sorrow and embitterment.

I found this article yesterday. Then I saw a report from Moscow on TV - about Russian's reactions on Pope's death. They showed some ordinary Moscovites, expressing their condolences. But they showed also that Orthodox priest I mentioned above. The journalist repotted also, that noone from the Patriarchate (a proper word???) od Moscow wanted to speak to him. Catholic Archbishop of Moscow mentioned, that one of Orthodox bishops wanted to attend a mass for the Pope's soul in Catholic Cathedral but he was not allowed to. So I drew some conclusions.

Believe me - I'll be happy if I was wrong.

[lizol]

OK. that's a fact, but it's worh mentioning and remembering, that it was John Paul II himself, who expressed - in the name of Roman Catholic Church - apologies for the action of it's sons, who committed sins against their Orthodox brothers in faith. It was during meeting with the Patriarch of Greek Orthodox Church.

Btw. - I would really like some of you to explain me what is all that problem with Catholic "prozelytising in Russia" about. I simply can't understand it.

I don't intent any kind of malice, but Otrhodox churches are active all around the world. In Western Europe and America too. In "ultra" Catholic Poland too (we have for example Orthodox chaplains in the Army). Some catholics happen probably to convert to Orthodoxy. Some (I've heard quite many) Protestans too (don't they, jb6? :-))). And it's OK, noone calls it Orthodox "prozelytising" in the West.

So what's the problem with activity of Catholic Church in Russia????? I really, really, really don't get it.

[MarMema]

Someone is trying too hard to create a war here.
Demons are always very active during Great Lent.

[Destro]

Nothing so dramatic - Just a non American European of Polish ancestory who is anti-Russian and anti-Orthodox - a bigot.

[Modernman]

The Roman Catholics are told by their priest that they can... but that is not correct.

My understanding is that it does not violate Roman Catholic rules if a Roman Catholic takes Communion in an Orthodox Church in an exceptional circumstance.

[GSlob]

Pre-petrine patriarchs (w/exception of Philaret, who was the father of tsar Michael I) were not independent. Hermogenes could be considered independent only due to temporary collapse of secular authority during the Time of Troubles. When Nikon tried to assert himself, what his "independence" was worth was demonstrated in his dismissal.
And as for the current one:
Shchedrin: " ...And those tears of his were crocodile tears, and his repentance was that of an asp".

[jb6]

I don't care if the Catholics prostylize. That doesn't concern me in the least. What concerns me is when missionaries go in and spread lies. I know for a fact, haven spoken with some converts, that certain fundimentalists who go to Russia, Ukraine, etc spread out and out lies. What ticks me off too is their idea of charity. They'll put that bowel of soup out in front of the hungry poor guy and say: but first you'll listen to my sermon. Sorry, that's not charity.

I think what happened and why so many are sensitive to "poaching" is the moment that the Soviet Union openned up, everyone and their grandma with lots of cash ran in and started to try to convert people while spending tons of money to sway them. This left a bad taste in many Russians, Ukrainians, Georgians, etc mouths toward the West.

[lizol]

a bigot


Thanks God you're not one - calling someone an "idijt" only because you don't agree with his opinions or conlusions.

[lizol]

Ooops, sorry it was supposed to be an "idjit".
Which is I don't know what anyway.

[Destro]

I called you an idjit because you pulled a wildly off conclusion out of your rear. They only thing I can conclude is that you distorted what was said on purpose - or giving you the benefit of the doubt - you are not so smart so you misunderstood the statement.

[sergey1973]

Normal Orthodox are praying with Catholics for the Pope. Don't confuse official Moscow Patriarchate (largely Kremlin Extension) with the rest of Orthodox Churches. I.e. See this link on Orthodox Church of America.

[sergey1973]

Lizol--a little advise. Don't listen too much to Polish TV either -:))))) They digged out some idiot "Priest" and they make an impression that millions of Orthodox around the world (Most of them not under Moscow Patriarchate) won't pray for him. Officially, I think Moscow Patriarchate will do some ceremonies, but I don't care much about them. Moscow Patriarchate is "Pseudo-Christian". Normal Orthodox Christians and all the decent people around the world will pray for the Pope, in public or in Private.