VATICAN - “The Divine Liturgy a channel of Mission”, Chrysostomos II receives honorary Doctorate in Missiology at the Pontifical Urban University

Friday, 15 June 2007

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Yesterday, 14 June, at the Aula Magna of the Pontifical Urban University there was a ceremony to confer an Honorary Doctorate in Missiology to His Beatitude Chrysostomos II, Primate of the Apostolic Church of Cyprus.
Present for the ceremony Cardinal Ivan Días, Grand chancellor of the University and prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples CEP, Archbishop Henryk Hoser, president of the Pontifical Mission Societies and Fr Massimo Cenci, under secretary of the CEP, an Orthodox delegation accompanying His Beatitude, and numerous students.
“The quest for unity has been one of the fundamental tasks to which you, Your Beatitude, have devoted your energies, as well as zeal for the diffusion of the Word of God and to support Orthodox missionary work particularly in Africa”, the University Rector Mgr Ambrogio said to Chrysostomos II in his welcoming address.
In the Laudatio of the dean of the Faculty of Missiology, professor Alberto Trevisiol stressed the fact that “Mission is Cypriot because the heralds of mission are connected with Cyprus: Paul began his ministry by going to Cyprus in about the year 47 and Barnabas who was from Cyprus was a pastor and martyr of that community and his tomb is venerated in Cyprus”. “Thanks to your zeal the Orthodox Church of Cyprus is deeply committed to missionary activity especially on the continent of Africa.” “Heir and expression of the unique history of Cyprus the Holy Primate Chrysostomos II, diligent proponent della justice and truth has served as a bridge between diversities and example of possible understanding and integration among differences” the Dean added.
Lastly Chrysostomos II, Orthodox Archbishop of Nuova Giustiniana, in his Lectio Magistralis spoke of “The Divine Liturgy as a channel of Mission” explaining that “ Divine Liturgy is the definition for the sacred service in which the Sacrament of the Eucharist is celebrated.” “The Eucharist is the source and heart of spiritual life in Christ, the revelation of the Church as the Body of Christ and as communion of the Holy Spirit. The fundamental Characteristic of the Divine Liturgy for Orthodox Chrisians is that it is not ‘followed’ but ‘lived’ by the faithful. The faithful does not simply ‘watch ’ or ad ‘listen’, they must be ‘present’ and ‘participate’ at the Supper.” “The main purpose of Mission is to ensure active participation the Divine Liturgy ” said Chrysostomo II. “The Divine Liturgy teaches us to broaden our horizons and our vision to speak the language of love and live in love side by side with others despite differences ” the Primate concluded.
The Orthodox Church of Cyprus of which His Beatitude Chrysostoms II is the principal animator, is very sensitive to the cause of mission and the proclamation of the Gospel in the Middle East and in Africa and it supports local Orthodox Church communities in these regions. (AP) (15/6/2007 Agenzia Fides; Righe:37; Parole:456)


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