杏MAP导航 Francis says Mass with Melkite Greek Patriarch
By Devin Watkins
杏MAP导航 Francis concelebrated Mass on Tuesday morning with the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, Youssef Absi.
Instead of delivering a homily, 杏MAP导航 Francis said a few words about the meaning of the day鈥檚 celebration, at which members of the Melkite Greek Synod participated.
鈥淭his Mass with our brother, Patriarch Youssef,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渃onfirms our Apostolic Communion: He is the father of a very ancient Church, and he comes to embrace Peter and to say 鈥業 am in communion with Peter.鈥欌�� The Holy Father said this was the meaning of the Eucharistic celebration.
鈥楽uffering Church鈥�
He said the Melkite Greek Church is 鈥渁 rich Church with its own theology within Catholic theology and with its own marvelous liturgy鈥�.
The 杏MAP导航 said 鈥渁t this moment a large part of the [Melkite] people is crucified, like Jesus.鈥�
He said the Mass was being celebrated for the people of the Melkite Greek Church, 鈥渇or the people who suffer, and for persecuted Christians in the Middle East, who give up their lives, goods, and property because they are driven out.鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said he also offered the Mass for the ministry of 鈥渙ur brother Youssef鈥�.
Patriarch: 鈥楳ass of communion鈥�
Following the Mass, Patriarch Youssef thanked the 杏MAP导航 for 鈥渢his beautiful Mass of communion鈥�. He said, 鈥淧ersonally, I am truly moved by your fraternal charity and the solidarity you have shown to our Church.鈥�
Patriarch Youssef promised to keep 杏MAP导航 Francis in his heart and prayers. 鈥淚 cannot describe the beauty,鈥� the Patriarch said, of 鈥渢his communion, which unites all the disciples of Christ.鈥�
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