Directions to Orthodoxy - Patriarch welcomes Pope to Constantinople

Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I, accompanied by the Pope Benedict XVI, not pictured, leads a prayer at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George at the Orthodox Patriarchate This post has been viewed 878 times.

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Patriarch welcomes Pope to Constantinople
Posted on Wed Nov 29 2006

Pope Benedict XVI listens to the Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George at the Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006.

Nov. 29, 2006 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI met with Patriarch Bartholomew I on Tuesday, November 29, at the seat of the Orthodox patriarchate of Constantinople.

Greeting the Pontiff to the patriarchal church of St. George at Phanar, the Orthodox leader spoke about the great history of the Church in Constantinople— where, he said, a "cloud of witnesses" including saints and martyrs had borne testimony to "the faith of the fathers."

Referring to the main purpose of the Pope's trip to Turkey, the Patriarch said that he and the Pontiff, as "successors to the thrones of Rome and New Rome," share the responsibility for ecumenical progress. He spoke of "our struggle to obey the command of our Lord, that his disciples may be one."

"So it is with open embrace that we welcome you on the blessed occasion of your first visit to the city," the Patriarch told Pope Benedict. Thanking the Pontiff for returning the visits that he himself had made to Rome, the Patriarch said: "Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord."

In his reponse, Pope Benedict said that he was "deeply grateful for the fraternal welcome" that he has received, and would "treasure its memory forever."

Recalling the historic meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras in 1964, the Holy Father called particular attention to their "courageous decision to remove the memory of the anathemas of 1054." That move, he said, opened the path for "rediscovered love" to guide the ecumenical talks that followed.

The Pope, too, recalled the "rich harvest of martyrs, theologians, pastors, monastics, and holy men and women" of the Church in the region, saying that they are "worthy intercessors" to aid the Church today in the pursuit of full Christian unity.

"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," the Pope concluded.

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