杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

Eighteen young Orthodox priests and monks are spending this week in Rome at the invitation of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

The study visit is aimed at deepening their understanding of the Catholic Church.

杏MAP导航 Francis welcomed the group to the Vatican in an audience on Friday, and took the opportunity to send a special greeting to the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Exchanging gifts of the Spirit

鈥淓very visit brings a sharing of gifts,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said.

He recalled Mary鈥檚 visit to her cousin Elizabeth to share her joy at having received God鈥檚 gift.

鈥淟ike Mary and Elizabeth,鈥� he said, 鈥渢he Churches carry with them a variety of gifts of the Spirit, to be shared for their mutual joy and benefit.鈥�

The Orthodox group's visit to Rome, said the 杏MAP导航, is both an opportunity to learn about the Catholic Church and 鈥渁 chance for us Catholics to receive the gift of the Spirit that you bring.鈥�

Acknowledging God鈥檚 grace

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to thank God for the grace bestowed upon the group.

鈥淓verything begins there,鈥� he said, 鈥渨ith our acknowledgment of grace, with our recognition of God鈥檚 gracious work, with our belief that He is the source of the goodness within us.鈥�

He called this 鈥渢he beauty of the Christian vision of life.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 said he was grateful to God for the 鈥渨itness given by your Oriental Orthodox Churches.

鈥淔or yours are Churches that have sealed their faith in Christ in blood and that continue to sow seeds of faith and hope, even in areas often, tragically, scarred by violence and war.鈥�

Bearing fruit in visible communion

杏MAP导航 Francis also expressed his hope that the young Orthodox priests and monks have had a positive experience of the Catholic Church and the city of Rome.

鈥淢ay your presence,鈥� he concluded, 鈥渂ecome a small but fruitful seed that will bear fruit in visible communion between us, in that full unity that Jesus ardently desires.鈥�

Study group members

The study group is made up of 3 members each from the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church [See of Etchmiadzin and See of Cilicia], the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

They hail from Egypt, Armenia, Lebanon, Syria, India, and Ethiopia.