Pope to Orthodox delegation: May
we share gifts of the Holy Spirit
 |
| Pope Francis shakes hands with a member of the Orthodox delegation (Vatican Media) |
Pope Francis greets participants in a study visit of young
priests and monks of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and encourages them to
share the gift of the Spirit as they learn more about the Catholic Church.
By Devin Watkins
Eighteen young Orthodox priests and monks are spending this
week in Rome at the invitation of the Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity.
The study visit is aimed at deepening their understanding of
the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis welcomed the delegation to the Vatican in an
audience on Friday, and took the opportunity to send a special greeting to the
Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
Exchanging gifts of the Spirit
“Every visit brings a sharing of gifts,” the Pope said.
He recalled Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth to share
her joy at having received God’s gift.
“Like Mary and Elizabeth,” he said, “the Churches carry with
them a variety of gifts of the Spirit, to be shared for their mutual joy and
benefit.”
The Orthodox delegation’s visit to Rome, said the Pope, is
both an opportunity to learn about the Catholic Church and “a chance for us
Catholics to receive the gift of the Spirit that you bring.”
Acknowledging God’s grace
Pope Francis went on to thank God for the grace bestowed
upon the delegation’s members.
“Everything begins there,” he said, “with our acknowledgment
of grace, with our recognition of God’s gracious work, with our belief that He
is the source of the goodness within us.”
He called this “the beauty of the Christian vision of life.”
The Pope said he was grateful to God for the “witness given
by your Oriental Orthodox Churches.
“For yours are Churches that have sealed their faith in
Christ in blood and that continue to sow seeds of faith and hope, even in areas
often, tragically, scarred by violence and war.”
Bearing fruit in visible communion
Pope Francis also expressed his hope that the young Orthodox
priests and monks have had a positive experience of the Catholic Church and the
city of Rome.
“May your presence,” he concluded, “become a small but
fruitful seed that will bear fruit in visible communion between us, in that
full unity that Jesus ardently desires.”
Delegation members
The delegation is made up of 3 members each from the Coptic
Orthodox Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church [See of Etchmiadzin and See of
Cilicia], the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
They hail from Egypt, Armenia, Lebanon, Syria, India, and
Ethiopia.
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