杏MAP导航

By Salvatore Cernuzio 

A fraternal meeting鈥攎arked by an embrace reminiscent of those often exchanged with 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥攖ook place on the afternoon of June 17 at the Phanar between Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I and Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod, who is currently in Istanbul for the meeting of the General Secretaries of the Bishops鈥� Conferences of Europe (CCEE).

During the gathering, Cardinal Grech presented to all participants the process accompanying the implementation phase of the Synod. His itinerary also included a stop in Nicaea, present-day Iznik鈥攖he site of the First Ecumenical Council, whose 1700th anniversary is approaching, and where a visit by 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV is anticipated, continuing the intention of his predecessor, Francis.

Remembering 杏MAP导航 Frencis

In his address to the participants of the CCEE meeting, Patriarch Bartholomew recalled 杏MAP导航 Francis and expressed his 鈥済reat anticipation鈥� for a possible visit by 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV. First, the Patriarch conveyed his gratitude 鈥渇or the personal friendship and the unwavering commitment of 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� (whom he described as 鈥渁 true friend of Orthodoxy鈥�), noting that his pontificate 鈥渉as been a time of warmth and mutual encouragement.鈥�

He then expressed joy at the election of his successor, Robert Francis Prevost, whom he has already met twice. 鈥淲e are confident,鈥� the Patriarch said, 鈥渢hat under his leadership, the ties between our two Churches will continue to deepen in truth and love. We pray that his pontificate will be marked by spiritual discernment and prophetic courage, as the Church continues to bear witness in a world longing for direction and unity.鈥�

The importance of dialogue

Patriarch Bartholomew dedicated significant attention to the theme of dialogue鈥攅cumenical and interreligious鈥攅specially in 鈥渁 time marked by divisions, fear and violence鈥� when 鈥渨e are called to be builder of bridges, not walls.鈥� In particular, he underlined the importance of the relationship with the Roman Catholic Church, and the theological dialogue that resumed nearly half a century ago following the revocation of mutual anathemas in 1965.

This relationship is essential to pursue 鈥渁 steady and serious path of encounter鈥濃�攁 journey that, while not without challenges, is also 鈥渕arked by moments of grace, deepening understanding, and a sincere desire for the unity that Christ wills.鈥�

Peace at the core

The Patriarch also emphasized dialogue with the other ancient Eastern Churches, Protestant traditions, and numerous inter-Christian bodies. These, he noted, are not 鈥渇ormal processes,鈥� but rather 鈥渟piritual encounters,鈥� and opportunities for 鈥渞enewed commitment to the Gospel.鈥�

As Orthodox Church, he added, 鈥渨e likewise place great importance on interfaith dialogue,鈥� explaining that relations with Jewish, Muslim, and other religious leaders have long been cultivated in the conviction that 鈥減eace, mutual understanding, and respect for the dignity of every human being must be core commitments for all faith traditions.鈥�

Challenges for the Church and humanity

鈥淥f course, we are not blind to the many challenges facing the Church and humanity today. Questions of social justice, migration, war, religious persecution, and the climate crisis all demand our attention,鈥� Patriarch Bartholomew said. These pressing concerns are 鈥渋nseparable from the Gospel that we proclaim.鈥� Care for creation, in particular, remains 鈥渁n area in which our collaboration with other Churches and institutions has borne much fruit.鈥�

The service of the Episcopal Conferences of Europe

In this context, the Ecumenical Patriarch praised and encouraged the service of the Episcopal Conferences of Europe, which help to 鈥渁rticulate the Church鈥檚 witness and coordinate her response to the needs of the people.鈥� 鈥淵ou make possible the coherence, clarity, and charity with which the Church speaks today,鈥� he noted. He also referred to the upcoming celebrations marking the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea鈥攁 timely 鈥渞eminder that unity is not a matter of convenience or strategy, but of fidelity to the truth revealed in Christ and proclaimed through the life of the Church.鈥�

The Mass celebrated by Cardinal Grech

The theme of Nicaea was central as well to the homily delivered by Cardinal Grech during the Mass celebrated in the crypt of the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua in Istanbul. 鈥淲e are united here in this place where, 1700 years ago, the Church solemnly proclaimed that the Son is of the same nature as the Father,鈥� the Cardinal said.

At that time, 鈥渇or many, this was a scandalous choice of terms and an insult to God鈥檚 nature,鈥� yet in truth, 鈥渋t demonstrates the greatness and theological courage鈥� of those present at the Council: 鈥淭hey were arguing that God鈥檚 nature, though one, is participatory. The Son participates in the nature of the Father.鈥�

鈥淛esus calls us sons of God, and a son participates in the same nature as the parents,鈥� Grech continued. 鈥淚n the case of us human beings, God takes the initiative and offers us a share in his nature鈥攈e adopts us. And seen from our standpoint, we can participate in God鈥檚 nature by imitation, by acting and behaving in the way the Father behaves, by being like the Father.鈥�

Living communion in a synodal way

鈥淚mitating God means entering into communion with others, building bridges of communion between different people, as difficult as this may be,鈥� noted Cardinal Grech.

He also cited paragraph 154 of the Final Document of the Synod of Bishops: 鈥淟iving through the synodal process, we have renewed our awareness that the salvation to be received and proclaimed is inherently relational... The Spirit has placed the desire for authentic relationships and true bonds in the heart of every human being... We can live the communion that saves by walking in a synodal way, in the intertwining of our vocations, charisms and ministries, by going forth to meet everyone in order to bring the joy of the Gospel.鈥� 

In conclusion, Grech acknowledged, 鈥渂uilding bridges of communion is never easy.鈥� He recalled how Nicaea itself was marked by tensions, just as the recent Synod on Synodality sparked debates and controversies. 鈥淏ut we have to keep in mind that we are mere finite creatures, trying to imitate what is infinite, God鈥檚 nature.鈥�