Why did Greek Orthodox Metropolitan unveil encyclical?

[ad_altiora]

I was hoping someone might be able to answer this question for me as I cannot seem to find the answer anywhere else.

Today, H.H. Pope Francis released an encyclical regarding the environment. The encyclical was unveiled to the media by Metropolitan of Pergamon John Zizioulas of the Greek Orthodox Church.

The fact that a Greek Orthodox leader presented the encyclical warms my heart tremendously. But, I am curious as to why this happened? Why did the Vatican ask the Greek Orthodox Church to send one of its leaders to unveil it? Can someone explain to me what’s going on here?

Thanks!

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

Pope Francis knows that the Ecumenical Patriarch has been a leading Christian voice on the issue of the environment. In order to show Christian solidarity on this matter the Holy Father invited Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon, a representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to the release of the encyclical.

According to Catholic Radio:

“The issuing of the Encyclical Laudato Si’ is, therefore, an occasion of great joy and satisfaction for the Orthodox,” said Metropolitan John. “On behalf of them I should like to express our deep gratitude to His Holiness for raising his authoritative voice to draw the attention of the world to the urgent need to protect God’s creation from the damage we humans inflict on it with our behavior towards nature.”

“As some of you may already know, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has been the first one in the Christian world to draw the attention of the world community to the seriousness of the ecological problem and the duty of the Church to voice its concern and try to contribute with all the spiritual means at its disposal towards the protection of our natural environment.”