"The Catholics in Russia celebrate the patrons of Europe, Cyril and Methodius, on 14th February. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates them on 24th May. We hope the day will come when Catholics and Orthodox believers" will celebrate them "on the same day, with a united voice and a united heart". This is the wish expressed, just before 14th February, by the spokesman of the Russian Bishops Conference, Victor Khroul. In a release, which will be on SIR Europa (old.agensir.it) from tonight, Khroul states that Cyril and Methodius are considered the "Eastern patrons" of the continent, just like Saint Benedict is considered the "western patron" and Saint Bridget the "northern" patron. In fact, he explains, "the Holy See proclaimed the four patrons" as proof of the "respect of diversity" that is typical of Christianity and "is a pledge to unity". The two Slavic brothers "remind us of Christ’s appeal to the truth that makes one free, words that are extraordinarily relevant within the context of the new evangelisation of Europe". Through their ability to "find a common language with people, believers and pagans", we are also called to "neutralise the ethnical determinism of religion" that makes many people associate terrestrial coordinates with religious affiliations.
