” “” “"We must be deeply grateful went on Benedict XVI for the heritage that has come from the fruitful meeting between the Christian message and the Hellenic culture. This has had a long-lasting impact on the Eastern and Western Churches". As he recalled the martyrdom of both Peter and Andrew, the Pope highlighted that "in the course of history, both the Church of Rome and the Church of Constantinople have often experienced the lesson of the grain of wheat. Together we worship many of the same martyrs". The last century too, he added, "has seen some brave witnesses of faith in both the East and the West. Even today, there are many such witnesses in many parts of the world. We remember them in our prayers and in every possible way we offer them our help, while we insistently ask all the world’s leaders to respect religious freedom as a fundamental human right". Actually "faith in the redeeming death of Jesus on the Cross and this hope that Christ resurrected offers to the whole human family" are shared by "Orthodox and Catholics", so the Pope made a wish: "May today’s meeting be useful as a boost and a joyous preview of the gift of the full communion".” “
