Posted on 06/20/2007 6:29:02 PM PDT by NYer
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI met with representatives from the Orthodox Church in Cyprus, a meeting that may pave the way for an encounter between the Pope and Russian Patriarch Alexy II.
In the Vatican on Saturday, Benedict XVI met with Chrysostomos II, archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus, and other representatives of the Orthodox Church in Cyprus.
After this meeting with the Holy Father, Archbishop Chrysostomos II will discuss with Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia the possibility of future collaboration between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, and perhaps a meeting with the Pope.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper L'Expresso, the Orthodox archbishop explained that he and Alexy II are good friends, and that he is doing all he can to foster the meeting.
Joint declaration
Benedict XVI and Archbishop Chrysostomos II also signed a joint agreement promoting collaboration, especially on questions of bioethics.
The document explained: "At a time of growing secularization and relativism, Catholics and Orthodox in Europe are called to offer renewed witness on ethical values, ready to give an explanation of their faith in Jesus Christ, lord and savior.
"There is the risk that certain techniques applied to genetics, conceived intentionally to meet legitimate needs, in fact take away man's dignity, created in the image of God."
The document denounces "tragic daily problems" caused by more than 30 years of the separation of Cyprus caused by Turkish occupation, which began in the summer of 1974, and calls for peace in the Middle East.
Dialogue of truth
In a conversation with journalists, the archbishop said that great strides in reconciliation between Catholics and Orthodox could be made with Benedict XVI, because he is a "wise" theologian who knows Orthodox theology in depth.
"We are convinced that he wants the unity of the Churches. And if one knows the problems in detail, as in his case, it is easier to find solutions," Archbishop Chrysostomos II explained.
The Orthodox archbishop noted that 1,000 years of separation cannot be overcome in a day. But, in the last 40 years, he said, "we have begun a dialogue of charity, and now we move on to theological dialogue, which is that of truth."
"It is not easy to resolve problems. We need time," he said. "But dialogue is an important step forward and now we can move on to respond to Jesus' commandment for unity. Each time we meet, we make one more step forward."
The archbishop stated that during their meeting, the Pope confirmed his desire to visit Cyprus, though no date was set.
Archbishop Chrysostomos II concluded, "For us, it will be a great blessing."
Catholic / Orthodox ping!
Ping!
there’s going to have to be a meaty announcement if there is a meeting, and it likely wont be in Russia.
the rocor mp union is fresh enough that Alexy won’t risk a mass exodus on account of a meeting with the pope.
i am ecumenical in many rocor eyes... ponder that.
Why is it the Russian Church feels it speaks for all of Orthodoxy? That’s the position of the EP.
Russia has long regarded itself as the “Third Rome,” although of course the rest of the world doesn’t necessarily agree. This began with the fall of Constantinople and has had some currency among Russians for centuries, although it later was connected more with the Russian secular political situation than with anything religious. However, I think that, in addition to working out its relationship with the Catholic Church, the Russian church is now trying to resolve its relationship with (a) the various factions within it and (b) the MP.
As for this meeting with the Pope, it’s an excellent sign, regardless of the internal dynamics, because the Russians used to be extremely hostile to such a possibility and were much more negative than the Greeks or others.
Great news! I am impressed by the way the Cypriots are working at this.
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NYer, it's wonderful to see your name at the top of a thread again. :)
Why is it that "Catholic" and "Orthodox" are used? Why not Catholics, Orthodox and Roman?
Oh yes, I like that one too.
Catholic/Orthodox ping.
"It is not easy to resolve problems. We need time," he said. "But dialogue is an important step forward and now we can move on to respond to Jesus' commandment for unity. Each time we meet, we make one more step forward."
Wonderful!
Pray for unity.
John 17:20-22I learned from the fall of the Berlin Wall that nothing is impossible."I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one."
What a beautiful church.
“Why is it the Russian Church feels it speaks for all of Orthodoxy? That’s the position of the EP.”
Actually it is the position of neither the Patriarch of Moscow or of the Patriarch of Constantinople. The Patriarch of Constantinople is just the First among Equals. He cannot speak “ex cathedra” for other autocephalis Orthodox Churches. Neither can the MP.
However the MP is correct when he points out that a decision towards union with Catholocism, taken unilaterally by the Patriarch of Constantinople is not binding on any other Orthodox Church.
I am ROCOR, and I can assure you, Unity is what ALL of us want, but not at the expense of truth.
Livius, Constantinople was elevated above more ancient Churches of Alexandria and Antioch for political reasons, and even (older) Rome itself became the Holy See (rather than Antioch) for the same reason.
There is nothing in the Bible that identifies the city of Rome as the Christian "Mecca." It became that because it was the imperial capital. The proceedings from the Third and Fourth Ecumenical Councils make that very clear.
Moscow has every right to consider itself the Third Rome given that the EP is a virtual prisoner of a Muslim state, a relic of history. The MP, on the other hand, has over 80% of world's 300 million Orthodox in his fold. Even more when one adds other Slavic Orthodox Churches (Serbian, Ukrainian, etc.) which would very likely side with Moscow, politicis notwithstanding, because the laity would.
Any reunion with Orthodox without Moscow would be utterly meaningless; in fact it would be a new round of creating a new "uniate" controversy, drawing perhaps 10% of the current orthodox fold and destroying any chance of reunion for ages to come.
I am confident that any reunion will include the Orthodox Church as a whole, with all its Patriarchs and Metropolitans standing united.
As far as the West is concerned, they must show historical and synodal respect for the seniority of Constantinople, but one must be very careful not to marginalize the vast majority of the Orthodox world, especially if such marginalization is based on not much more than sheer prejudice vis a vis Moscow.
I would trust the MP before I would the EP.
The EP is Jesuit-educated, and would throw out the “baby with the bath water”.........
Is that the Pope praying in St. Peter’s? Such beuty!
Oh, I agree. The participation of Moscow is essential, and it is true that there are understandable historic reasons for Moscow’s proclamation of itself as the “Third Rome.” I think that a lot of the historical hard feelings between the different Orthodox churches are now being resolved, by the Holy Spirit and the good will of all involved, and that the future will be quite different (and a lot better!).
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