Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai
    • Council of Nicaea anniversary is call to Christian unity, speakers say
    • Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award
    • Save the Date: October 11, 2025 – Frederica Mathewes-Green to Headline OCL’s 38th Annual Conference
    • Metropolitan Elder Dimitrios of the Princes’ Islands Named Honorary Doctor in Athens
    • Fordham’s Orthodox Christian Studies Center Annual Benefit Reception on June 16
    • Saint-Sophia-Seminary-Quarterly-No. 2
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Orthodox News»Bartholomew trusts Francis’ visit to Jerusalem will herald a new season of ecumenical dialogue

    Bartholomew trusts Francis’ visit to Jerusalem will herald a new season of ecumenical dialogue

    0
    By Webmaster on November 30, 2013 Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link
    BARTHOLOMEW I
    BARTHOLOMEW I

    Source: Vatican Insider

    The Ecumenical Patriarch has high expectations of Francis’ visit to the Holy Land and is relying on the Pope to contribute to the start of a “decisive” new season for ecumenism

    GIANNI VALENTE
    ROME

    Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I’s messages to Rome on the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, were clear: the 264th successor of the 1st Apostle, expressed the hope that Pope Francis’ pontificate would bring “renewed inspiration” to the common journey of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches toward full communion. The meeting between the two religious leaders in Jerusalem expected to take place next spring will be a great chance to begin a new season of ecumenical dialogue, which the Ecumenical Patriarchate considers “especially significant and for many reasons decisive.”

    Addressing Cardinal Kurt Koch and other members of the Delegation of the Church of Rome who are in Istanbul for the Feast of St. Andrew, patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Bartholomew said he trusted Francis’ election “will constitute a renewed inspiration for the common journey of our two Churches toward the world in order that we may assume social and moral initiatives for the consolation of humanity, which is suffering from diverse global crises.”

    Bartholomew expressed his sadness at the fact that the two Churches still do not “[eat]of the same Bread and [drink]of the same Cup” and defined the lack of sacramental communion between Catholics and Orthodox as “the most painful separation of all.” “We consider especially significant and for many reasons decisive the newly commenced period of our dialogue,” Bartholomew went on to say. The Patriarchate therefore “deem[s]it absolutely mandatory to avoid every action and decision, which might be perceived as an impediment in these final days.”

    Bartholomew revealed he had already “exchanged ideas and opinions” with Francis “on these matters during [their]encounter in Rome on the day of his installation.” Patriarch Bartholomew referred a number of times to the importance of Francis’ expected visit to Jerusalem in spring 2014 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Paul VI’s meeting with Patriarch Athenagoras in the Holy City. This meeting, Bartholomew stressed, “allow[ed]the restoration of peace between them and the commencement of the journey and dialogue of love and truth.”

    Bartholomew deliberately drew links between his and Pope Francis’ views on social and cultural emergencies. The Patriarch indicated that he shares Pope Francis’ ideas on the economic crisis, which Bartholomew believes “is the result of people’s estrangement from faith in God and the fulfilment of His commandments,” caused by “greed”, “which is idolatry.”

    In his address to the Catholic delegation, Bartholomew also mentioned theological dialogue – which currently focuses on the issues of primacy and authority – as an important instrument in the move towards full sacramental unity. Bartholomew described the division between Christians caused by the “devil’s envy” as an “overturning our faith in the one holy, catholic and apostolic Church of Christ, declared by the Symbol of Faith, the Nicaean-Constantinopolitan Creed.”

    Up until now, talks between representatives of Christian communities have mostly taken the form of “monologues where each side presented its own positions and arguments.” But this attempted method of clarifying positions and ideas has not borne any fruit so far. According to Bartholomew, the only way forward, “is to discern the teaching of the Lord and His Apostles, as this was experienced and witnessed by the common Patristic theology of the undivided Church.” In order to proceed along the path of theological dialogue, the two Churches must “[alleviate]any barriers introduced by each side or else by other sources, seeking also the intervention of the recently elected new first-bishop, the honorable and beloved brother Pope Francis.”

    In his interview with Italian Jesuit journal Civiltà Cattolica, the Bishop of Rome clearly expressed his intention to “continue the discussion that was begun in 2007 by the joint [Catholic–Orthodox] commission on how to exercise the Petrine primacy, which led to the signing of the Ravenna Document. We must continue on this path.” This document suggested a definition of the primacy role of the Bishop of Rome, which could also be acceptable to both Orthodox Synods.

    The Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople are clearly both keen for theological dialogue to progress. But official representatives of the Patriarchate of Moscow did not sign the Ravenna document and have often shown intolerance towards dialogue over theological and doctrinal issues. They prefer to define the Catholic Church’s relationship with the Patriarchate as an “alliance” when it comes to moral and social issues.

    [subscribe2]
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleThe role of Orthodoxy in the Russian Constitution: the proposal raises controversy and fears
    Next Article Letter from OCL President, Susan Haikalis – Year in Review

    Related Posts

    June 12, 20255 Mins Read

    ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes

    June 10, 20254 Mins Read

    Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai

    June 2, 20252 Mins Read

    Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Procopius on Leading Liturgists Reaffirm the Ordination of Women to the Diaconate
    • Procopius on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • John Fronime on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Nn on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Member on Ex-Clergyman, Sexually Abused at 17 by His Priest, Attempted Suicide
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Luke on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    • Webmaster on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.