The Ecumenical Patriarchate honoured his throne feast today, on the day of the feast of Saint Andrew the Proto-Calvinist, founder of the Church of Constantinople. The Patriarchal and Synodal Divine Liturgy was celebrated with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presiding and Theodore of Alexandria co-officiating, in the presence of Pope Leo XIV.
The prelate of the Roman Catholic Church arrived at the Phanar at about 10:30 local time (9:30 Greek time). Present at the Patriarchal Church of St. George were prelates of both churches, representatives of other Christian denominations, diplomats, other officials and believers. The Greek government was represented by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yannis Loverdos.
In his speech after the Divine Liturgy, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew called the Pope a «beloved brother» and stressed that the joint celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea had strengthened ecclesiastical unity. He returned to his proposal to celebrate Easter on a common date, saying that Constantinople and Rome were discussing how this could be made possible.
At another point in his speech, he stressed that unity is something we seek and an urgent need, «especially in the times we live in» with wars and all kinds of distinctions due to the insatiable desire of some to dominate.
Referring to the war in Ukraine, the Ecumenical Patriarch said that we cannot be complicit in the bloodshed taking place in Ukraine.
Pope Leo also expressed his support for the dialogue between the Churches of Rome and Constantinople, noting that in the past there were conflicts, just as today there are obstacles that prevent us from moving towards full communion. We must not stop the struggle, we must continue to be considered brothers and sisters, he said, adding that his goal is to serve everyone, to protect society and unity.
In these times of conflict and bloodshed, the churches must assume the role of peacemakers, the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church stressed.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the two Prefects blessed the faithful from the balcony of the Patriarchal House and exchanged a kiss.
Afterwards, Pope Leo XIV, after having lunch with the Ecumenical Patriarch, departed by plane from Constantinople to Beirut, where he will continue the second leg of his apostolic tour.
Earlier this morning, the Pope visited the Patriarchate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Istanbul.
«This visit gives me the opportunity to thank God for the courageous Christian witness of the Armenian people throughout history, often in the midst of tragic circumstances,» the Pope said in his short speech.
He also stressed that «on this 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, my visit offers the opportunity to honour the Nicene Creed. We must draw on this common apostolic faith in order to recover the unity that existed in the early centuries between the Church of Rome and the ancient Eastern Churches».
For his part, Armenian Patriarch Sahag Masallian said in his own speech that «the Armenian people do not forget the Popes who raised their voices in our difficult times, who stood by the side of Christian communities in danger and who defended the truth when the world hesitated.».
He added that today, Christians throughout the Middle East and beyond are facing difficulties, migration and population decline. «In such times, unity becomes essential. Here in Turkey, our Christian communities live as a small flock, but one that is more closely knit with mutual respect. The Armenian Apostolic Church firmly believes that Christian division wounds the Body of Christ, but we trust that the Holy Spirit heals these wounds and brings the Churches closer together, step by step,» the Patriarch of Armenians in Turkey said.
Γ. Mandalides
