Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew in 2006
at the Patriarch's residence in Instanbul
Posted on 03/16/2013 3:46:23 AM PDT by NYer
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| Pope Benedict XVI and Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew in 2006 at the Patriarch's residence in Instanbul |
It is the first time that such a thing has happened since the Great Western Schism in 1054.
This is almost impossible to believe!!!
Here's the report that is rocking the Christian world (with some emphases added by me in bold italics). As the story notes, this epic gesture of unity is the fruit of the incredible ecumenical work of Pope Benedict, which was a top priority of his papacy. Indeed, in his statement upon Benedict's retirement the Patriarch spoke in glowing terms of the Benedict.
Here's the story about Tuesday:
Istanbul (AsiaNews) - The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I will attend Pope Francis's inaugural Mass. The Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office informed AsiaNews about the decision, noting that this is the first time such an event occurs since the Catholic-Orthodox split in 1054, an important sign for Christian unity.
The ecumenical patriarch will be accompanied by Ioannis Zizioulas, metropolitan of Pergamon and co-president of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Church, as well as Tarassios, Orthodox Metropolitan of Argentina, and Gennadios, Orthodox Metropolitan of Italy.
Relations between Catholics and Orthodox have been improving since the Second Vatican Council through mutual visits, acts of friendship and theological dialogue.
Under Benedict XVI, the dialogue picked up in earnest after a lull. In trying to promote it, the pope suggested ways to express the primacy of Peter's successor that could be acceptable to the Orthodox, finding his inspiration from the undivided Church of the first millennium.
Catholic ecumenism has met however with great resistance from the Russian Orthodox Church and the Moscow Patriarchate, seat of the 'Third Rome'.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church's Department for External Relations, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, said on Thursday that a meeting between the pope and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow was "possible but the place and timing will depend on how quickly we will overcome the consequences of the conflicts from the turn of 1980s and 1990s".
The issue of the Ukrainian Catholic Church is at the core of the "conflicts" to which Hilarion was referring. Although it was unbanned following the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was left without its original churches, which had been seized by the Communists under Soviet rule and later transferred to the Orthodox Church.
Still, "on several occasions, Pope Francis has shown spiritual sympathy towards the Orthodox Church and a desire for closer contacts," Hilarion said.Here was the Patriarch's appreciative statement on hearing of Benedict's resignation:It is his hope that under the new pontificate "relations of alliance will develop and that our ties will be strengthened." [Source]
It is with regret that we have learned of the decision by His Holiness Pope Benedict to retire from his Throne, because with his wisdom and experience he could have provided much more to the Church and the world.
Pope Benedict leaves an indelible mark on the life and history of the Roman Catholic Church, sealed not only by his brief papacy, but also by his broad and longstanding contribution as a theologian and hierarch of his Church, as well as his universally acknowledged prestige.
His writings will long speak of his deep theological understanding, through his knowledge of the Fathers of the undivided Church, his familiarity with contemporary reality, and his keen interest in the problems of humankind.
We Orthodox will always honor him as a friend of our Church and a faithful servant of the sacred proposition for the union of all. Moreover, we shall rejoice upon learning of his sound health and the productivity of his theological work.
Personally, we remember with emotion his visit to the See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate over six years ago, together with the numerous encounters and excellent cooperation, which we enjoyed throughout the duration of his primatial ministry.
From the Phanar, we pray that the Lord will manifest his worthy successor as the head of the sister Church of Rome, and that we may also continue with this successor on our common journey toward the unity of all unto the glory of God. [Source]
Ecumenical ping!
A good sign that we could be closer to full unity in the future.
ping
Excellent start.
Now declare a Crusade.
WOW!! Prayers!!
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I’m still expecting to see Pope Francis appoint the author of the curia report to appoint him as its head, and conduct mass in the eastern rite.
Where His Holyness has been tossed a challange is in the American delegation attending his installation. If I were Governor Martinez I’d somehow drift away from these birds they might be in for a surprize, leastwise I hope so.
From a historical standpoint, this is “burying the hatchet”.
The “Orhodoxy’, or the ‘Greek Orthodoxy’, or the ‘Church of Constantinople”, has always been at great odds with the Roman Catholic church.
To place it on a more local level for some readers, the divide between Roman Catholicism and Greek Orthodoxy, are akin to the divide between American Catholics and American Pentecostals.
Not sure I am able to follow your comment .. who is the author of the curia report? Who should be appointed as what head and conduct mass in which eastern rite (there are 8, celebrated by 21 different churches). Appreciate your clarification.
Not sure they are that far apart. One of the issues that separate the two ancient churches is Petrine Primacy. Orthodox theologians have not rejected the concept of primacy, but only its development by the Church of Rome.
In November of 2004, Pope John Paul II manifested his desire for Christian unity when he handed over the relics of Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Gregory Nazianzen to the Orthodox Ecumentical Patriarch Bartholomew I in Saint Peter’s Basilica. In his message to the Patriarch, the “first among equals” of the Orthodox Churches, the Pope said that the return of the relics to the See of Constantinople is "a blessed opportunity to purify our wounded memories, to reinforce our path of reconciliation."
Now, continued the Pope’s messge, is the "propitious moment" to pray so that God "will hasten the hour in which we will be able to live together, in the celebration of the holy Eucharist, full communion, and thus contribute in a more effective manner to make the world believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord.""I will never cease to seek firmly and determinedly this communion among the disciples of Christ,” stated the Pope in his message, “as my desire, in response to the will of the Lord, consists in being servant of communion 'in truth and in love.'"
Following Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's decision to step down, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow sent Benedict a letter in which he says:
I have warm memories of our meeting when you were elected to the Roman See. During your ministry we received a positive impetus in the relations between our Churches, responding to the modern world as a witness to Christ crucified and risen. I sincerely hope what developed during your active participation, a good trusting relationship between the Orthodox and the Catholics, will continue to grow with your successor.
These dialogues have been ongoing, behind the scenes and without great fanfare. Let us pray that they continue under Pope Francis so that, as our Lord requested, we all may be one (John 17:22-23).
I have vast respect and affection for the Orthodox, and I wish to learn a great deal more; and love a great deal more.
From what I understand it’s B16.
Well, at least doctrinally, both Churches are very close. We should all be praying for unity (John 17:11).
I can't help but imagine the seating logistics of this visit on those responsible for organizing Tuesday's Installation. The last time an Orthodox Patriarch visited the Vatican, the seat had to be identical to the that of Pope JPII.
The Patriarch will have an entourage. The closest other occasion that comes to mind is JPII's funeral.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I ( top), spiritual leader of the world's Christian Orthodox, and Greece's Archibishop Christodoulos (right) attended the funeral for Pope John Paul II.
This is quite different, since it is an installation of a "first among equals". Looking forward to how this is handled.
Plus they would be the first to reunite, the Orthodox.
Where does it say in the Bible about “the apostasy?”.
What's the line-up? How big is the entourage?
Please be sure to ping don-o on this, too.
Thanks!
From Asia News Service:
The ecumenical patriarch will be accompanied by Ioannis Zizioulas, metropolitan of Pergamon and co-president of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Church, as well as Tarassios, Orthodox Metropolitan of Argentina, and Gennadios, Orthodox Metropolitan of Italy.
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople to attend Pope Francis’ installation Mass
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