Pope Francis: RCC continues to pray for unity with the Orthodox
A Vatican delegation in the Phanar. Photo: Vatican News
On 1 December 2024, Pope Francis, in his message to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, confirmed the "irreversible commitment" of the Catholic Church to pursue the path of ecumenical dialogue with the Orthodox Church, Vatican News reports.
"Living brotherhood and the testimony given by Christians can be a message for our world, which suffers from war and violence," said Pope Francis.
Speaking about the 60th anniversary of the decree “Unitatis redintegratio”, the Pontiff stated that "dialogue with the Orthodox Church remains particularly fruitful", but emphasized that full unity, manifested in shared Eucharist, has yet to be achieved. "Catholics and Orthodox must never stop praying and working for unity," he added.
Pope Francis also expressed hope for a joint celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 2025, stressing that this would be "another opportunity to strengthen the bonds" between Christians.
As in previous years, the Vatican delegation marked the Feast of St. Andrew, the patron saint of the Church of Constantinople, together with the Patriarch of Constantinople. The guests attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Patriarch Bartholomew at St. George's Cathedral in the Phanar.
As reported by the UOJ, the Pope said that he will visit Turkey for the 1700th anniversary of First Council of Nicaea.
Read also
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniiel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.
Patriarch Bartholomew congratulates Patriarch Shio on his election
In his message of congratulations, Patriarch Bartholomew called for joint witness before the world within the framework of “pan-Orthodox unity.”
Georgian priest in Germany: Patriarch Shio will preserve Ilia II’s legacy
Priest Elias Schlepegrell, who was present at the election in Tbilisi, said there is a clear disposition toward preserving Ilia II’s line and the unity of the Georgian Church.