Head of Phanar: Concelebration with Catholics is a goal yet to be achieved
Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: Nikos Papachristou
On December 6, 2024, during a sermon at St. Nicholas Church in Istanbul, Patriarch Bartholomew declared that a joint Easter celebration with the Pontiff should become "a brilliant opportunity to reach an agreement with Pope Francis on establishing a unified date for the celebration of Easter for the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, following the canons of our Church," reports the fosfanariou website.
The head of Phanar is "optimistic" that "the Anglican Church and other Protestant communities will gladly accept such an agreement."
Patriarch Bartholomew cited Finland as an example, where the local Orthodox body under the Phanar has celebrated Easter together with Catholics for many years. He emphasized that Christians should celebrate Easter jointly, just as they celebrate Christmas together.
The Patriarch addressed opponents of this initiative, assuring them that there is currently no intention of Eucharistic communion with Catholics or other denominations.
"This agreement will concern exclusively the date of Easter and not liturgical concelebration with our Catholic brothers, as such concelebration presupposes full communion between our two Churches – a goal we have not yet achieved, despite significant progress in theological dialogue," stated the Head of Phanar.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that believers in Greece are protesting against the ecumenical actions of the head of Phanar.
Read also
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."
His Beatitude Onuphry: Through fasting, man returns to Paradise
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about Adam's fall and urged them to repent before Great Lent.
Archbishop of Greece speaks about his successor and the Church's future
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of his leadership of the Greek Church, the Primate gave an interview in which he spoke about relations with the state, the situation in Sinai, and the challenges of the modern world.
In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years
In Barcelona, a glass cross was installed on the Sagrada Familia temple, completing the central tower and bringing the building to the height of 172.5 meters.
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra
During Cheesefare Week, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, addressed the flock with a sermon, and offered prayers for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's people.
In Hnidyn, St. Nicholas Church of UOC damaged by shelling
As a result of shelling, the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Hnidyn of the Boryspil Eparchy was damaged.