CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
Orthodox: the visit of patriarch Bartholomew to Moscow Received with full honours by the members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church and by civil authorities, the ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I arrived in Moscow on May 22 for a ten-day visit to Russia on the invitation of the Patriarch of Moscow and of All Russia Kyrill. In the presentation of the program of the visit, Moscow’s Patriarchate recalls that in July 2009, soon after his election, Patriarch Kyrill visited Patriarch Bartholomew and that “this visit marked the beginning of a new chapter in the relations between the two patriarchates. The trip to Russia of Patriarch Bartholomew – continues the communiqué – will further the development of the fraternal relations between the two Churches and will serve the cause of the unity of the Orthodox Church”. Upon his arrival to the airport the Ecumenical Patriarch conveyed his emotion for the “return” to Russia after 17 years. “We come from Constantinople as pilgrims to this land – he said – the homeland of numerous martyrs and confessors of Orthodox faith, in the past and during the dark years of persecution. I bring the blessing of the Mother Church of Constantinople to the Holy Daughter Church of Russia, whose progress in Christ is our joy and our pride. We pray that this visit may help strengthen our fraternal bonds for the good of Orthodoxy”. With the same warmth, the Primate of the Russian Church, Patriarc Kyrill, told journalists: “The relations between the two Churches are not confined to an exchange of – albeit important – visits. Rather, the major dynamic consists in consultations on specific and concrete agreements that may help all Orthodox Churches to find solutions to the problems of Orthodoxy”. On Sunday May 23, the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, the two Patriarchs co-celebrated the divine liturgy of Pentecost in the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. During the liturgy Patriarch Kyrill reminded the faithful that the Feast of Pentecost is also the feast of the unity of the Church and prayed that the “sacrifice of Christ may not remain sterile in our hearts. The more we are united, the more effective will be our joint witness for peace in a torn world”, said Patriarch Kyrill”. Edinburgh 2010: the opening of the ecumenical movementThe Conference “Witnessing to Christ Today” will take place in Edinburgh, Scotland, from 2 to 6 June. 300 experts in mission and mission studies will undertake collaborative reflection on Christian mission on the Centenary of the first, consequential Conference of Edinburg held on June 14-23 1910 attended by over one thousand delegates from different branches of Protestantism and Anglicanism, along with an Orthodox representative. At the time they convened in the Scottish city to reflect on the need for unity, in order to fully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus. The promoter of the unique encounter was U.S. Methodist John Mott. The idea that motivated the enterprises was to jointly address the mission ad gentes. Indeed, the first Congress in Scotland produced a journey, which, in 1948, led to the establishment of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the umbrella ecumenical body with seat in Geneva with 349 member Churches representing 110 world countries. The upcoming Conference, promoted by the Church of Scotland in conjunction with the World Council of Churches, will bring together official delegates along with approximately one thousand participants from all over the world. For months, nine think-tanks or “commissions” focused on nine study themes deemed critical to the future of the mission. The “Study Guide” in English and German was issued May 24. For its download log on www.edinburgh2010.org. Greece: the Churches ready to help the local populationThe Orthodox Church in Greece is ready to help the local population address the strict financial measures adopted by the government, stated Rev Fr. Gabriel Papanicolaou during a meeting of the Word Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva. Papanicolaou transmitted the words with which the archbishop of Athens and of All Greece Hieronymos II, conveyed to Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou the Church’s intention to support citizens face the austerity measures enforced. “We are aware – Papanicolaou underlined – that the heaviest consequences will be felt after the summer. For this, we are already preparing parish priests to address the emergency. It will be necessary to provide food, clothing and other basic necessities for the poor and assistance to those who risk losing their job and will be needing psychological support”. On the crisis in general intervened Rogate Mshana, director of the WCC office for justice, peace and the protection of the Creation. “Unless things change, the current prevailing financial system will continue causing debt crisis, speculative financial bubbles and economic collapse. What we need is a financial building based on equity and sustainability, capable of linking the financial system and real economy “.
