For the first time the bishops of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches of the island of Syros, respectively Bishop Doroteo II and Bishop Francis Papamanolis, have addressed a common message to the faithful of their dioceses to mark the beginning of the new year. “As is well known Monsignor Papamanolis, who is also President of the Greek Bishops’ Conference, told SIR the Orthodox and Catholic faithful of the island live together in harmony and there are many initiatives that we as bishops organize to promote the spirit of charity wished by Christ for his disciples and to achieve, as far as possible, the “ut unum sint” (that they may all be one)”. In their joint message, the two bishops express their good wishes to the faithful, and assure them of their prayers, “that the light of Christ, which knows no dusk, may enrich them with the precious gifts of health, serenity, spiritual progress and especially the gift of peace”, They then exhort them to “continue to foster harmony between each other, mutually respecting the traditions received from the Fathers, and their respective religious customs, and competing in works of Christian and brotherly charity, according to the words of Paul, who reminds us that the kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. The message further recommends the faithful “always to remain united in interpersonal dialogue and in communion of charity that abolishes any form of separation and that alone shall give peace and solidarity to the world. Let us remain conclude the two bishops under God’s protection by making every effort to bring our Churches closer together”.
