At a recent press conference in Rome, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk said, “It is necessary to put aside internal disagreements and unite efforts for saving Christianity in the regions where it is subjected to the most severe persecution.” Hilarion is the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church.
According to the Metropolitan, unity was never possible between the Orthodox and Catholic Church because of festering open wounds between them over a worsening situation in Ukraine. He said it is a “never-healing blooding wound that prevents the full normalization of relations between the two Churches.”
“Nevertheless,” Metropolitan Hilarion said, “the situation as it has developed today in the Middle East, in North and Central Africa and in some other regions, in which extremists are perpetrating a real genocide of the Christian population, has required urgent measures and closer cooperation between Christian Churches. In the present tragic situation, it is necessary to put aside internal disagreements and unite efforts for saving Christianity in the regions where it is subjected to the most severe persecution.”
The Russian Orthodox Sacred Bishops’ Council “called to make the year 2016 a year of special efforts to be taken in this respect.”
“Therefore,” Hilarion continued, “despite the remaining obstacles of ecclesial nature, it has been decided that a meeting should be urgently held between His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis of Rome. The problem of the persecution against Christians will become central at this meeting.”
The meeting took place in Cuba. Patriarch Kirill did not want the meeting to take place in Europe because of historic divisions and conflicts. Coincidentally, the Patriarch’s visit to Latin American coincides with the Papal visit to Mexico. They agreed to meet in Cuba to sign a joint statement.
It is significant that after years of negotiations which have reached no agreement, that radical Islam is the catalyst for the two churches to join together to oppose the Islamic State.
“All the world wondered…” Revelation 13:3
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lizel emerald amboa
Wednesday February 10th, 2016 at 11:42 PMSigns of the times. Jesus is coming soon.
Tumo Galeragwe
Thursday February 11th, 2016 at 05:34 AMI am amazed with the healing of old squabbles and disagreements between the Papal office and other Christian groups. the reconciliation that is take place, is gathering the whole religious world under the power of Rome… we are almost home. may the Lord keep us and help us to work earnestly!!!
Doreen Gordon
Saturday February 13th, 2016 at 08:31 AMWhen you see the abomination of desolations stand in the holy place. Go to Daniel. Understand the skills that the angel Gabriel flew quickly to give to Daniel. Those who have ears to hear, let him hear. We use our eyes to see and our ears to hear and let’s thank God for making us live in the last days of earth’s history, that we are previledged to see His prophetic words come to pass.
Many people who lived in the time of Christ earthly ministry were not thankful and did open their hearts to Him. Their previledge were in vain. Many who were in the wilderness were not thankful for the experience of being lead by God into the promise land and their lives also went in vain. Those of Noah’s days were not thankful and died in the flood. Those of Sodom and Gomorrah were not vigilant and perished in the brimstone. Father, Almighty teach our hearts to thank you for your wondrous love to us. Open our eyes to see your grace. Make us steadfast in our love and service to you. Amen and amen.
Sharon
Monday February 15th, 2016 at 09:21 AMAll in the name of Peace and safety. 1 Thess 5:3