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Could Putin-Pope Francis Visit Mark Beginning of End of Centuries-Old Rift?
NBC News ^ | 11/26/13 | Claudio Lavanga

Posted on 11/26/2013 6:01:38 AM PST by marshmallow

ROME — Pope Francis and Russian President Vladimir Putin met Monday amid high expectations that their visit could mark the beginning of the end of the centuries-old rift between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.

Since becoming pontiff in March, Francis has met with more than a dozen heads of state, and Putin met with both of his predecessors Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II.

But this meeting comes at a unique time.

“What's making (this visit) different this time is who he will meet: a pope, Francis, who for the first time is not from Europe,” said Andrea Tornielli, a Vatican expert who writes for the Italian daily “La Stampa.”

"And [Francis] therefore has a more independent approach on international issues such as the relations between Orthodox and Catholics. Being from Argentina, (Francis) is not tied to the old idea of Western Christianity, so this could play in [Putin’s] favor,” Tornielli added.

Francis has ushered in a period of reform at the Vatican, but the timing is right for a thawing of relations between the Eastern and Westerns Churches for other reasons, too: full diplomatic ties between Russia and the Holy See were only re-established in 2009.

But despite numerous visits by Russian leaders to the Vatican, the head of the Rome Catholic Church has never been allowed to repay the favor and travel to Moscow.

(Excerpt) Read more at worldnews.nbcnews.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Ecumenism; Orthodox Christian
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 11/26/2013 6:01:38 AM PST by marshmallow
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To: marshmallow
Coming on the heels of the US downgrading the diplomatic status with the Vatican by closing the embassy.
2 posted on 11/26/2013 6:12:54 AM PST by AU72
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To: AU72

LEt’s start by celebrating Easter at the same time each year.


3 posted on 11/26/2013 6:24:41 AM PST by nikos1121
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To: marshmallow

If Putin was to pull off such an accord, after his conclave of Orthodox churches in Moscow, he could rightfully be declared a “Prince of Christendom”.

While conferring a pseudo-noble title on him, it would also in effect make Moscow an “Orthodox Rome”, religiously akin to the Byzantine Empire in the time prior to Charlemagne, yet one friendly to the Roman Papacy, surviving as it is, surrounded by pagans.


4 posted on 11/26/2013 6:39:55 AM PST by yefragetuwrabrumuy (War on Terror news at rantburg.com)
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To: yefragetuwrabrumuy
There are some old prophecies that talk of the Rus coming to Constantinople.

Means something different today.

5 posted on 11/26/2013 7:07:10 AM PST by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
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To: marshmallow

At Fatima, the Virgin Mary asked that Russia be specially consecrated to her Immaculate Heart. There is some disagreement about whether this has been effectively done or not in the efforts of two previous popes. In any case, Putin’s action puts quite an interesting light on this. He is a thug and a murderer as well as an adulterer, but is it possible that now, challenged by Islam, he recognizes that he needs help from God?


6 posted on 11/26/2013 7:40:35 AM PST by ottbmare (the OTTB mare, now a proud Marine Mom)
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To: nikos1121

Starting next year, when ALL the churches will have it on a common date, April 20, 2014.


7 posted on 11/26/2013 7:46:37 AM PST by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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To: marshmallow

Simply put, No. Putin can’t.


8 posted on 11/26/2013 9:22:00 AM PST by FormerLib (Sacrificing our land and our blood cannot buy protection from jihad.-Bishop Artemije of Kosovo)
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To: marshmallow

NO


9 posted on 11/26/2013 10:25:04 AM PST by Kolokotronis (Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated)
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To: redgolum

I was talking with a historian earlier, who said that it is a very old Russian fantasy that Moscow would become the new Constantinople. With any degree of success in this direction, Putin would almost be guaranteed to be made a Russian Orthodox Saint.


10 posted on 11/26/2013 10:32:38 AM PST by yefragetuwrabrumuy (War on Terror news at rantburg.com)
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To: yefragetuwrabrumuy
They have viewed themselves in the the past as the Third Rome.

1.Rome on the Tiber
2. Constantinople.
3. Moscow.

Their internal prophecy says “There will not be a fourth”.

Lots of old Orthodox prophecy about stuff like that. I can thank the old Orthodox people here on FR for opening my eyes to it.

11 posted on 11/26/2013 10:53:12 AM PST by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
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To: Kolokotronis

LOL! Was wondering if you saw this.


12 posted on 11/26/2013 10:53:40 AM PST by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
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To: redgolum

Look to see Hagia Sophia in Istambul returned to the Orthodox Church. Fully restored and offering services. Look to see Russia funding, restoring Orthodox Churches in the Middle East and reaching an accord with the Coptic Pope in Egypt. Look to see restoration of Orthodox Churches in Alaska and outreach to the Eskamos. There will be an Orthodox push to convert the Islamic people to Christ as well. There may well be Missionary work to convert the people of Europe who have falled away from religion.


13 posted on 11/26/2013 11:41:10 AM PST by Forward the Light Brigade (Into the Jaws of H*ll)
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To: redgolum

That’s tricky, because first was Jerusalem, then Antioch, then the three Metropolitans of Antioch, Alexandria and Rome. (Though some say that Alexandria was dominated by Gnostic Christians). Then Nicomedia in Anatolia was the center of the eastern Roman Empire, Nicaea and Byzantium, later Constantinople.

After Hadrian’s siege of Jerusalem (c.133), Caesarea became the metropolitan see with the bishop of Jerusalem as one of its “suffragans” (subordinates). Then Cyprus, Damascus, Thessaloniki Greece, and Cyrene Libya.

Rome came into play about the year 50, but as *a* center of Christianity, not *the* center, until perhaps 300.

There were a dozen other contenders, some that were wiped out by Muslims, others of greater of lesser importance.


14 posted on 11/26/2013 12:40:29 PM PST by yefragetuwrabrumuy (War on Terror news at rantburg.com)
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To: Kolokotronis

No? Care to elaborate, my friend?


15 posted on 11/26/2013 1:57:30 PM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel, if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so.)
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To: marshmallow

Rather, it was the dream of Blessed, soon to be made Saint John Paul II, that both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches come back together so that the two lungs of the Christian faith will begin to breathed together in full.


16 posted on 11/27/2013 6:55:24 AM PST by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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