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 [Putins] 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 ...
LEt’s start by celebrating Easter at the same time each year.
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.
Means something different today.
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?
Starting next year, when ALL the churches will have it on a common date, April 20, 2014.
Simply put, No. Putin can’t.
NO
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.
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.
LOL! Was wondering if you saw this.
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.
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.
No? Care to elaborate, my friend?
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.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.