Papal greetings to Patriarch on patronal feast of Constantinople
December 01, 2008
Pope Benedict XVI sent his best wishes to the Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople on November 30, as the Ecumenical Patriarchate celebrated the feast of St. Andrew, patron of the Constantinople see. The Pope observed that Patriarch Bartholomew has visited the Vatican three times during this calendar year, most recently to deliver his "most thoughtful address" to the October session of the Synod of Bishops. The Pontiff remarked that the Vatican and the Orthodox leadership are "entering progressively deeper levels" of ecumenical commitment, and expressed his hope that "our common journey will hasten the arrival of that blessed day when we will praise God together in a shared celebration of the Eucharist."
Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, led a Vatican delegation joining in the ceremonies in Constantinople. In recent years it has become a regular practice for the Holy See to send an important delegation to join the Orthodox leader for his patronal feast, while the Ecumenical Patriarchate sends a similar delegation to the Vatican for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
