" I also noticed another interesting little detail regarding external dmeonstration of pay deference to the Pope as the elder bishop: before Bat. Bartholomew I read his homily, he motion Pope Benedict XVI to sit. But when the Pope read his ho,ily, the Patriarch remained standing.
Likewise, the Joined Declaration bears the signature of Pope Benedict first (on the left), followed by Bat. Bartholomew's (on the right), not below. In other words, equal but after the Pope. Curious, but quite fascinating."
The ancient canons come alive. Very didactic. Excellent!
This is history. It's fascinating that the Church only lay dormant, yet fully aware of all its canons and traditions, and in full possession of its consciousness and memory.
The whole idea of "primus inter pares" was being manifested throughout the whole visit with the E. Patriarch, down to such details that most of us (certainly I) simply never noticed or thought of as important.