Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Istanbul (Fides Service) - On his return to Instanbul, in the afternoon of 29 November Pope Benedict XVI visited and prayed at Patriarchal Church of St George at the Phanar which stands next to the Ecumenical patriarchate. The Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch went into the church to pray. Then responding to a speech by His Holiness Bartholomew I, the Pope addressed those present. “It gives me great joy to be among you, my brothers in Christ, in this Cathedral Church, as we pray together to the Lord and call to mind the momentous events that have sustained our commitment to work for the full unity of Catholics and Orthodox” the Pope said recalling “the courageous decision to remove the memory of the anathemas of 1054” by Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Atenagoras. It is on this foundation of mutual love that new relations between the Churches of Rome and Constantinople developed, marked by several declarations for common commitment and many significant acts.
“I also rejoice to be in this land so closely connected to the Christian faith, where many Churches flourished in ancient times” the Holy Father continued mentioning “the rich harvest of martyrs, theologians, bishops, priests, monastics, and holy men and women which those Churches brought forth over the centuries”…especially “the outstanding saints and pastors who have watched over the See of Constantinople, among them Saint Gregory of Nazianzus and Saint John Chrysostom, whom the West also honours as Doctors of the Church”, and he added “In this part of the Eastern world were also held the seven Ecumenical Councils which Orthodox and Catholics alike acknowledge as authoritative for the faith and discipline of the Church”. The Pope concluded “May this meeting strengthen our mutual affection and renew our common commitment to persevere on the journey leading to reconciliation and the peace of the Churches.”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2006 - righe 21, parole 326)
