Fanar head: The future of ecumenism – fighting prejudice and discrimination
The ceremony was led by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: haber.sat7turk.com
On January 21, 2022, on the occasion of the “Day of Prayer for the Unity of the Churches”, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople said that the future of ecumenism is in the fight against prejudice, haber.sat7turk.com reports.
An ecumenical prayer was held, led by Patriarch Bartholomew in the Holy Trinity church of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, located in the Beyoglu (Pera) district near Taksim Square in Istanbul.
This prayer was shared by representatives of the Armenian, Assyrian, Catholic, Evangelical and other Protestant churches.
The bishopess of one of the non-Orthodox churches also took part in the worship, who was the only one among those present to wear an element of liturgical vestment resembling an epitrachelion.
After Bible passages were read in turn by all the participants, Patriarch Bartholomew delivered a sermon stating that “the future of the ecumenical movement lies in bringing the ‘light of love’ through the incorporation of new symbols of tolerance and coexistence into our everyday life, which fights against prejudice and discrimination."
According to the head of Phanar, “when we pray here today for the unity of Christianity, let us hopefully move forward along the path towards this common cause, to which we deeply aspire.”
Following "Our Father" prayer, which the participants voiced in their native tongues, Patriarch Bartholomew blessed all the participants in the ceremony.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that, according to the Phanariot hierarch in the United States, Archbishop Elpidophoros, ecumenism is needed by all who call themselves Christians.
Read also
U.S. political analyst: Bishop Budde is a 'tool of Satan'
Political analyst Mark Steyn blasted Episcopal Bishop Budde’s stance on families with gay, lesbian, and transgender children.
Archbishop Anastasios of Albania laid to rest in Tirana
The Primate of the Albanian Church was laid to rest in the crypt beneath the Resurrection Cathedral.
UOJ opens its branch in Albania
The new European organization Union of Orthodox Journalists has opened a branch in Albania.
In Bukovyna, UOC believers appeal to Vance on the eve of OCU’s church raid
The parish also invited a UN monitoring group and an OSCE human rights officer.
Abducted by military commissars, archimandrite reveals TRC detention details
The abbot of the monastery in Babai described the conditions in which clergymen are held in the military recruitment center.
Council of Churches in London discusses religion in Ukraine with British MPs
The meeting addressed religious freedom in Ukraine and the challenges faced by various denominations during the war.