杏MAP导航 in Bulgaria: ecumenism and the example of Saints Cyril and Methodius
By Vatican News
In the Christian East, today is 鈥淪aint Thomas Sunday鈥�. 杏MAP导航 Francis began by referencing the Apostle, 鈥渨ho puts his hand in the Lord鈥檚 side鈥�, and touches His wounds.
鈥淭he wounds opened in the course of history between us Christians remain painful bruises on the Body of Christ which is the Church鈥�, he said. 鈥淓ven today, their effects are tangible鈥�. Yet, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥減erhaps together we can recognize our failings and immerse ourselves in his wounds of love鈥�, discovering 鈥渢he joy of forgiveness鈥�.
The ecumenism of blood
杏MAP导航 Francis spoke of the many Christians in Bulgaria who 鈥渆ndured suffering for the name of Jesus, particularly during the persecution of the last century鈥�. He called this 鈥渢he ecumenism of blood鈥�, and referred to those who suffered as 鈥渨itnesses of Easter鈥�.
鈥淲hile so many other brothers and sisters of ours throughout the world continue to suffer for their faith, they ask us not to remain closed, but to open ourselves鈥�. This is the only way the seeds they have sown can bear fruit, he said.
The ecumenism of the poor
杏MAP导航 Francis recalled that Bulgarian delegations have visited the Vatican annually for the past fifty years. 鈥淲ith the help of God, and in His good time鈥�, these contacts will have a positive effect on dialogue, he said.
In the meantime, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渨e are called to journey and act together in order to bear witness to the Lord, particularly by serving the poorest and most neglected of our brothers and sisters, in whom He is present鈥�.
The ecumenism of mission
Our guides, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, are Saints Cyril and Methodius. Byzantines by culture, they were 鈥渄aring enough to translate the Bible into a language accessible to the Slavic peoples, so that the divine Word could precede human words鈥�. They remain 鈥渁 model of evangelization and a challenge to proclaim the Gospel to the next generation鈥�.
While 鈥渞especting our own traditions and distinctive identities鈥�, we need to help one another find ways of passing on the faith to young people, said the 杏MAP导航. Otherwise, they risk putting their trust 鈥渋n the deceitful siren songs of a consumerist society鈥�.
The ecumenism of example
Quoting Saint John Paul II, 杏MAP导航 Francis gave the example of Saints Cyril and Methodius as 鈥渢he promoters of a united Europe鈥howing the basis for a new art of living together, with respect for differences, which in no way are an obstacle to unity鈥�.
Again, the 杏MAP导航 called Bulgaria a 鈥渟piritual crossroads鈥� where various confessions and religious traditions have found a welcome.
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