Turkish nationalists protest pope visit

[Gondorian]

Just what is the harm of the Pope praying for a few minutes at what was once one of the most monumental churchs in all the world though?

[1.5 million]

Just what is the harm of the Pope praying for a few minutes at what was once one of the most monumental churchs in all the world though?

Well yeah - but its officially a museaum now - and not without some contention as it had been a mosque (and in fact is still decked out as one in many ways)...what a building - certainly a wonder of the world (to be sure) - I was so impressed - its just massive and speaks of permenance. To think it was the greatest church in all Christiandom from about 400 AD to 1600 something...(well at least to 1400 something when it was turned into a mosque)...600-800 years - it really confounds the imagination...

[Gavur]

Pope Voices Desire to Mend a 1,500-Year Split

ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome

Date: 2006-03-20

Pope Voices Desire to Mend a 1,500-Year Split

Promotes Unity With Armenian Apostolic Church

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 20, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI signals his desire to promote unity with the Armenian Apostolic Church, a Christian confession that separated from Rome in the fifth century.

The Pope expressed his desire for unity today when he received in audience His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni, Catholic patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians, Lebanon, with members of the patriarchal synod and a group of pilgrims.

The Mideast-based patriarch leads 600,000 Catholic faithful in communion with Rome, assisted by 120 priests and about 90 women religious, according to Vatican Radio.

By contrast, more than 90% of the Armenian Christians are under the Armenian Apostolic Patriarchate, which separated from Rome after the Council of Chalcedon in 451. A key step toward overcoming this division was taken in 1996 when Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Karekin I signed a joint declaration on the nature of Jesus.

Benedict XVI, in his address to guests of the Armenian Catholic Church in communion with Rome, recalled the sufferings of the Armenian people "in the name of the Christian faith."

At the same time the Holy Father manifested his satisfaction because in recent years "a cordial and fruitful dialogue" has begun among the Armenian Christians for unity with Rome.

"I encourage this renewed fraternity and collaboration hoping that it may give rise to new initiatives for a joint journey towards full unity," he said, "with its own hierarchy, in fraternal interior harmony and full communion with the Bishop of Rome."

Benedict XVI concluded: "We all wish to be instruments at the disposal of Christ. May he -- who is the Way, Truth and Life -- enable us to continue with all our strength, so that, as soon as possible, there may be one flock with one pastor."

http://www.zenit.org/english/

[Gavur]

Patriarch of Constantinople visits Florence 1st time in 1,500 years

14.05.2006, 19.44




VATICAN CITY, May 14 (Itar-Tass) -- The Patriarch of Constantinople or the Ecumenical Patriarch, ranking as the first amongst equals in the Eastern Orthodox communion, is visiting Florence for the first time since the Council 1439.

Bartholomew I will be the Florence guest of honor for three days. On Saturday he led an Orthodox service at the Santa Maria del Fiore ancient cathedral.

Fragments of holy relics of John the Baptist, Apostle Philip, Apostle Andrew and St. John Chrysostom were put on display to mark the occasion.

On Sunday Bartholomew I led a service in a new diocese of the Greek Orthodox Church.

In the evening he will receive a peace award, and prior to that an inter-religious meeting will be held.

Pope of Rome Benedict XVI will make an apostolic visit to Istanbul in late November 2006 by the invitation of Patriarch Bartholomew and Turkish authorities.