Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew Foresees Reunion of Eastern and Western Churches

Bartholomew I became the first patriarch of Constantinople since 1054 to be present at the inauguration of a new pontificate

(ANSAmed) - ANKARA, MARCH 25 - The Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I who attended last week the mass inaugurating the pontificate of Pope Francis, believes the reunification of the Orthodox and Rome Churches 1,000 years after the Great Schism of 1054 is possible, the Turkish press reports.

Speaking at a meeting at the university of Kadir Has in Istanbul, Hurriyet reports, Bartholomew I said he believed 'there is a possibility for the next generations to see the churches of the East and West reunited'. 'This will probably not happen during my life', he added. Bartholomew I, 73, has been since 1991 the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox church, and last week became the first patriarch of Constantinople to be present at the inauguration of a new pontificate since 1054.

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Russian, Constantinople Patriarchs Hail Closer Ties after Visit

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill with Bartholomew, Patriarch of Constantinople.

From RIA Novosti

Joint worship with Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew has strengthened the unity of Orthodox churches worldwide, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill said on Sunday.

The two patriarchs celebrated Divine Liturgy together for the third time on Sunday in St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

The official visit of the leader of the Constantinople Church, who is by tradition first among the 15 primates of the Orthodox churches, began last week, with joint services on May 22 and 24.

"Our celebration today is dedicated to the unity of the universal church," said the Russian patriarch, who is fifth in the Orthodox hierarchy.

"We have known each other a long time, and I am glad that with each meeting we become closer to each other, so that the relations between Orthodox churches grow stronger," Kirill said after the joint liturgy.

Speaking in the main cathedral of St. Petersburg, Kirill noted that Russia's second city has much in common with Constantinople, now known as Istanbul.

"Each of these cities was fated to become the mainstay and focus of a great culture, both cities are capitals of the great Orthodox empire," the Russian patriarch said.

The head of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, in turn, called St. Petersburg "a symbol of heroism, steadfastness and faith in the ideals of freedom."

Addressing thousands of Russian Orthodox worshipers, Patriarch Bartholomew wished for Russians to remain "steadfast in the faith."

In memory of Bartholomew's visit to Russia, the Russian patriarch gave the head of the Church of Constantinople a copy of the Feodorovsky icon of the Mother of God.