Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch attending Pope's inaugural Mass

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The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I will attend Pope Francis’s inaugural Mass. The Ecumenical Patriarchate Press Office informed AsiaNews about the decision, noting that this is the first time such an event occurs since the Catholic-Orthodox split in 1054, an important sign for Christian unity.
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The ecumenical patriarch will be accompanied by Ioannis Zizioulas, metropolitan of Pergamon and co-president of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Church, as well as Tarassios, Orthodox Metropolitan of Argentina, and Gennadios, Orthodox Metropolitan of Italy.
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More: asianews.it/news-en/For-the-first-time-since-the-Great-Schism,-ecumenical-patriarch-to-attend-pope’s-inaugural-Mass-27408.html

Glorious news.
 
This is so wonderful. One of my greatest prayers is that we would be reunited in full communion with our Orthodox brothers and sister in my lifetime. What a joyous day that will be!
 
It’s great to see this! If the Catholic and Orthodox Churches reunite, I would convert in a heartbeat. I’m not convinced the whole Pope issue will ever be resolved though.
 
The Russians are now sending a delegation too, under the leadership of Metropolitan Hilarion of fame!
 
Thanks be to God!

I really appreciate you sharing this. It is worth mentioning that the Patriarch in question, Bartholomew I, has earned the title of the “Green Patriarch” for his unyielding support to the cause of Global Climate Change, and raising awareness of the dangers of pollution and greenhouse gases.

And I don’t have to remind you that Francis I is a champion of the poor!

The Green Pope and the Charitable Pope coming together as brothers. This is joyous news for believers everywhere.
 
Maybe Francis will resign during his Innauguration, lay his pallium at the feet of Bartholomew and appoint him as his successor. I think that would be a quick way to reunion. 😉
 
BrethrenBoy said:
It’s great to see this! If the Catholic and Orthodox Churches reunite, I would convert in a heartbeat. I’m not convinced the whole Pope issue will ever be resolved though.
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Why not be Catholic today? haha
 
His Holiness, Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians will also be attending.
 
Denho said:
Maybe Francis will resign during his Innauguration, lay his pallium at the feet of Bartholomew and appoint him as his successor. I think that would be a quick way to reunion. 😉
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You’d need a synod to appoint him, not the Pope! 😃

That, and the fact that it kinda implies that the Pope has some immediate authority over the Patriarch of Constantinople. Hardly Orthodox. 🙂
 
Gratia Deo!!!

I was stunned to hear this and then see it actually has occurred. I have recorded the entire Installation Mass from EWTN and can’t wait to watch it this evening. How thrilling! This union between the two Churches–in such a public and moving manner–can only bode well for the Church universal. I hope His Holiness Bartholomew I stays in Rome a few days to commune further with the Roman Pontiff. What an exciting time! 👍
 
Hate to throw cold water but the Patriarch of Constantinople only represents one of I think 15 Orthodox Jurisdictions, the Synods of the Other jurisdictions would have to approve. Most people think of the EP as the leader of the Orthodox, even a Fox news trailer on the bottom of the TV screen stated this. We don’t have the equivalent of a Pope. The EP is “first among equals” the same position the Bishop of Rome held.
 
Rdunbar123 said:
Hate to throw cold water but the Patriarch of Constantinople only represents one of I think 15 Orthodox Jurisdictions, the Synods of the Other jurisdictions would have to approve. Most people think of the EP as the leader of the Orthodox, even a Fox news trailer on the bottom of the TV screen stated this. We don’t have the equivalent of a Pope. The EP is “first among equals” the same position the Bishop of Rome held.
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I am aware of this, most assuredly, but it does not change the significance of the gesture on the part of the Roman Ponitiff and the EP. Technically, they are both “first among equals”–in an ecumenical sense, so to speak–and would likely remain in somewhat similar roles even were we to have a de facto renunciation of the Schism and promise to forge closer ties between the reunified Churches. I am firmly of the belief the only thing keeping the Churches separated is pride and human weakness, not the spiritual leaders of the two. May they once again be one. Shalom.
 
Rdunbar123 said:
Hate to throw cold water but the Patriarch of Constantinople only represents one of I think 15 Orthodox Jurisdictions, the Synods of the Other jurisdictions would have to approve. Most people think of the EP as the leader of the Orthodox, even a Fox news trailer on the bottom of the TV screen stated this. We don’t have the equivalent of a Pope. The EP is “first among equals” the same position the Bishop of Rome held.
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The funny thing is that many of us are probably aware of this. You are right in that many people have a misconception of the role of Ecumenical Patriarch within the larger Eastern Orthodox Church, but nobody is of the belief that the EP is the Orthodox equivalent of the Pope, and nobody expects true and corporate reunion to come out of his attendance at a Mass anyway.

Nonetheless, as one of most venerable of Patriarchs, and prior to the schism, second in precedence only to the Patriarch of Rome, it is a monumental gesture of great charity on the part of His Holiness Bartholomew I that he has decided to attend the Papal Inauguration. He is under no personal obligation to do so, as Rome is no longer in communion with the Eastern Orthodox Church, but yet he has decided to be present. It is by no means proof nor a path to reunion, but it is evidence of improving relations between the two communions which have been separated for close to a thousand years now. The hopes that people express here may not be realised in the immediate future, but they place their hope in it for all eternity. 🙂
 
Filii_Dei said:
The funny thing is that many of us are probably aware of this. You are right in that many people have a misconception of the role of Ecumenical Patriarch within the larger Eastern Orthodox Church, but nobody is of the belief that the EP is the Orthodox equivalent of the Pope, and nobody expects true and corporate reunion to come out of his attendance at a Mass anyway.

Nonetheless, as one of most venerable of Patriarchs, and prior to the schism, second in precedence only to the Patriarch of Rome, it is a monumental gesture of great charity on the part of His Holiness Bartholomew I that he has decided to attend the Papal Inauguration. He is under no personal obligation to do so, as Rome is no longer in communion with the Eastern Orthodox Church, but yet he has decided to be present. It is by no means proof nor a path to reunion, but it is evidence of improving relations between the two communions which have been separated for close to a thousand years now. The hopes that people express here may not be realised in the immediate future, but they place their hope in it for all eternity. 🙂
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I do apologize, I meant to make it clear that most experienced posters on this site know this, but you would be amazed at how many people think this if they think at all. In general, posters on this site as well as on Orthodox sites are better informed about the important things. Peace.
 
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