[W]e give thanks to God for the current unprecedented renewal of the Christian faith in Russia, as well as in many other countries of Eastern Europe, formerly dominated for decades by atheist regimes.
With grace–filled gratitude for the gift of mutual understanding manifested during our meeting, let us with hope turn to the Most Holy Mother of God, invoking her with the words of this ancient prayer: “We seek refuge under the protection of your mercy, Holy Mother of God”. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, through her intercession, inspire fraternity in all those who venerate her, so that they may be reunited, in God’s own time, in the peace and harmony of the one people of God, for the glory of the Most Holy and indivisible Trinity! - Francis and Kirill
In thanksgiving to the Mother of God and for her promises made at Fatima.
May it be so ... amen!
ReplyDeleteSo cool! Pope Francis is breaking down the walls!
ReplyDeleteI might be wrong but I think they couldn't/wouldn't negotiate with a Polish or German Pope - and now Francis is just right.
DeleteNo, you are correct Terry. I read that too and it was also reported on Spanish media. The Orthodox wanted to meet but away from the influence of what they call "old Europe."
DeleteI believe our Lady had much to do with this event. JP II and Benedict XVI laid groundwork and much prayer and well, now we see the fruits of it.
I am sure our Lady will see to those seeds so graciously planted today.
Thanks Yaya - I agree - the groundwork was done by JPII and BXVI. I'm glad Pope Benedict is alive to see this.
DeleteI think this meeting was made possible by long-standing personal relationships. Kirill visited the Vatican in his previous role as Chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church's Department for External Church Relations, and he wrote the foreword for the Russian translation of one of Benedict's books. His successor on the DECR, Hilarion Alfeyev, has been a frequent visitor to Rome, met Benedict on a number of occasions, and even organised a concert of classical music in Rome for Benedict as a gift from Kirill. There's a lot of mutual respect at a personal level between senior figures in Rome and Moscow, even though the messy history of the last thousand years means that in their official capacities the same people have to move slowly and cautiously.
ReplyDeleteThanks much Mark for adding this.
DeleteWill Francis travel to Russia anytime soon? If so, it will fulfill one of the major prophecies of Garabandal. I wonder. At the same time the rift between Orthodox and Catholicism seems greater then ever. Where we, the Roman Catholic Church have moved further left in social gospel, liturgy and theology, the Orthodox Churches remain much the same as they were 1000 years ago. A real reconciliation seems impossible to me. While it is nice that they are friendly, exchange precious gifts and agree to dialogue and meet again, there is little chance of unity. The rift is really wider then ever.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know a papal trip to Russia was connected to the Garabandal pophecies - I wonder if Joey Lomangino will go with? What?
DeleteJust kidding.
What is impossible for man is always possible for God. Who could have foreseen the collapse of the Soviet Union?