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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center

Reunification of Antiochian Patriarchate
Melkite Catholic relations with the Antiochian Orthodox

John Paul II Welcomes Greek-Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch

Press Release on Holy See's Web Site

VATICAN CITY, OCT 22, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul II this morning welcomed His Beatitude, Ignace IV Hazim, Greek-Orthodox patriarch of Antioch and, in his talk to the patriarch, called him one of the "avant garde artisans in the efforts at rapprochement between the East and West."

The Pope spoke of his trip to Syria in May of this year, recalling the ecumenical celebration of the Word at Our Lady of the Dormition Cathedral in Damascus. He also recalled Patriarch Hazim's visit to Rome in May of 1983 "so that we could advance resolutely together on the path of unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God."

"We suffer," said the Holy Father, "for our pace is sometimes slowed down. It happens that the love, sweet and peaceful, compassionate and merciful, which animates us is tarnished en route by the habit of confrontation, by the powerlessness to find a common expression, by forgetting Christ's prayer: 'I ... pray also for those who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one'."

The Pope told patriarch Hazim, "From the start you have supported the theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches in their ensemble. Today we implore the Lord to give us the grace and strength to go beyond the marking of time of dialogue, due to fruitless hesitating, for the Lord has already shown us the way, ... for He has vanquished the world!" AC/CHRISTIAN UNITY/PATRIARCH HAZIM VIS 011022 (250)

DISCOURS DE JEAN PAUL II À SA BÉATITUDE IGNACE IV HAZIM, PATRIARCHE GREC-ORTHODOXE D'ANTIOCHE Holy See

Lundi 22 octobre 2001

Grâce, joie et consolation m'ont été apportées par ton amour, frère (cf. Phm 7)

Béatitude,

Comme elles sont vraies, aujourd'hui encore, ces paroles de Paul, alors que je garde un très vif souvenir de mon pèlerinage en Syrie, notamment de la célébration oecuménique de la Parole que nous avons présidée ensemble avec nos autres frères en la cathédrale de la Dormition de la Vierge à Damas, le 5 mai dernier! Et voilà que vous venez me rendre visite à Rome, Béatitude, au moment où vous regagnez le vénérable siège d'Antioche.

A travers nos rencontres, le Seigneur nous donne des signes clairs de la fraternité dont parle le billet à Philémon. Nos échanges nous montrent que nous parcourons la bonne route, celle que le Seigneur ne cesse de nous indiquer, la route qui mène à la pleine communion. En mai 1983, suivant les pas des Apôtres Pierre et Paul qui avaient fait pour la première fois retentir la Parole à Antioche et qui ont donné leur beau témoignage à Rome, vous m'avez rendu visite à Rome, pour la première fois, afin que nous avancions résolument ensemble sur la voie de l'unité dans la foi et de la connaissance du Fils de Dieu (cf. Ep 4, 13). A mon tour, au cours de cette année, j'ai pu me rendre chez vous, parcourant la route suivie par les Apôtres, m'appliquant, comme vous, cher Frère, à obéir à la vérité, "pour pratiquer un amour fraternel sans hypocrisie", pour montrer que nous nous aimons "d'un coeur pur, avec constance", soutenus "par la Parole de Dieu vivante et permanente", par laquelle nous grandissons pour le salut (cf. 1 P 1, 22-24).

Nous souffrons, car notre marche est parfois ralentie. Il arrive que l'amour, doux et paisible, compatissant et miséricordieux, qui nous anime soit terni en cours de route par l'habitude de l'affrontement, par l'impuissance à trouver une expression commune, par l'oubli de la prière du Christ:  "Je prie pour ceux qui, grâce à leur parole, croiront en moi:  que tous soient un" (Jn 17, 20-21).

Comme moi, vous savez, Béatitude, ce que suppose le long chemin de l'unité et de la réconciliation entre les frères, vous qui êtes un artisan de la première heure dans les efforts de rapprochement entre l'Orient et l'Occident; vous avez appuyé, dès le début, le dialogue théologique entre l'Eglise catholique et les Eglises orthodoxes dans leur ensemble. Aujourd'hui nous implorons du Seigneur la grâce et la force pour aller au-delà des piétinements du dialogue, dus à des tâtonnements infructueux, car le Sauveur nous a déjà indiqué le chemin, en nous rappelant qu'en ce monde l'expérience de l'adversité est inséparable de notre pleine assurance, car il a vaincu le monde (cf. Jn 16, 33)! Je sais, Béatitude, que, comme moi, vous ne cessez de prier, de réfléchir, d'oeuvrer, de convaincre, pour que soit aplanie la route. Le dialogue théologique ne doit pas être ballotté par le vent du découragement ou laissé à la dérive de l'indifférence et du manque d'espérance.

Dans cette perspective, votre visite, Béatitude, est une nouvelle occasion qui nous est donnée de renouer et de raffermir, devant Dieu et dans le Christ, les liens de fraternité qui nous unissent. Je vous en remercie profondément et je remercie ceux qui vous accompagnent. Je sais qu'ils participent à votre ministère de pasteur et qu'ils secondent vos efforts de réconciliation.

Grâce, joie et consolation m'ont été apportées par votre amour, frères. Je vous demande d'assurer les Evêques, les prêtres et tout le peuple fidèle du Patriarcat d'Antioche que le pèlerinage de l'Evêque de Rome vers les lieux où Pierre et Paul ont prêché la Parole de Dieu n'a pas été vain. Il fut le renouvellement de la promesse faite dès le début de mon pontificat de faire de la marche vers l'unité une de mes priorités pastorales. Puissions-nous tous être dociles à l'appel de l'Esprit qui nous oriente vers l'unité pleine et visible, et ne jamais faire obstacle à l'amour que Dieu porte à l'humanité entière en Jésus Christ [cf. Discours aux Cardinaux et à la Curie romaine (28 juin 1985), n. 4; Encyclique  Ut  unum  sint, n. 99]! C'est dans ces sentiments que je vous redis mon amour fraternel dans le Christ.

Pope Welcomes Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Catholic World News

Pope Welcomes Syrian Orthodox Patriarch

Number: 16644 Date: 22-Oct-01 Type: B Code:

The Holy Father referred to the Orthodox prelate as a member of the "vanguard in building efforts at rapprochement between East and West." He said that Patriarch Ignace had "from the start, supported the theological dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox churches." And he voiced the hope that the dialogue would continue, undeterred by "the winds of discouragement," or by "indifference and lack of confidence."

The Orthodox leader, in an interview with the Italian daily Avvenire, emphasized his own interest in ecumenism. He said: "Our first duty as leaders, as far as the Patriarchate of Antioch is concerned, is to promote dialogue with other churches." He said that Orthodox leaders should not fear losing their "privileges" if the ecumenical cause advances.

Addressing the international situation, Patriarch Ignace told Avvenire that the US government, "perhaps unintentionally, gives the impression of seeking hegemony over the rest of the world." He added: "That sort of thing has to change."

Orthodox Patriarch / Batriyark of Antioch Visits Pope ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome

Code: ZE01102207

Date: 2001-10-22

Orthodox Patriarch / Batriyark of Antioch Visits Pope

John Paul II Praises Greek-Church Leader´s Efforts for Unity

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 22, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Another step was taken today in Catholic-Orthodox dialogue when John Paul II welcomed Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim of Antioch in an audience.

The Pope visited the patriarch in Damascus, Syria, on May 5. On that occasion, as a sign of their quest for unity, the Holy Father proposed that Catholics and Orthodox celebrate Easter on the same date.

That wish will be fulfilled in Syria. Melkite Catholic Patriarch Gregory III Laham recently signed a decree by which the faithful of his Church will celebrate Easter according to the Orthodox calendar.

In addressing the patriarch, John Paul II expressed his suffering in seeing that the process of unity is still being delayed. But he acknowledged the Greek-Orthodox leader as one of the pioneers of the rapprochement between Christians East and West.

"I know, Beatitude, that like me, you never cease to pray, reflect, work and urge others to smooth the way toward unity," the Pope said. "The theological dialogue should not be at the mercy of the winds of discouragement or the drift of indifference and lack of hope."

Recalling his trip to Syria, John Paul II said: "It was the renewal of the promise made at the beginning of my pontificate, to make the path toward unity one of my pastoral priorities."

Antioch is the see of the Greek-Orthodox patriarchate, although the patriarch resides in Damascus. It is the same city mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, where Christ´s followers were first called Christians.

Following the meeting, Patriarch Ignatius described John Paul II to the press "as one of the great men of the 20th century."

"Both he and I have spent all our life for the cause of unity," he said. "In fact, unity is part of the very essence of the Church. The Church can only be one. Evidently today we must work on the meaning of this unity.

"The Lord constituted one Church, an apostolic body formed by Twelve Apostles. It is up to us to conform to his intentions by working for the unity of this Church. For this reason, unity has always been at the center of our action, and we have consecrated our life to it."

Orthodox Patriarch / Batriyark of Antioch Visits Pope

Another step was taken in Catholic-Orthodox dialogue on 22 October when John Paul II welcomed Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim of Antioch in an audience. The Pope visited the patriarch in Damascus, Syria, on May 5. On that occasion, as a sign of their quest for unity, the Holy Father proposed that Catholics and Orthodox celebrate Easter on the same date. That wish will be fulfilled in Syria. Melkite Catholic Patriarch Gregorios III recently signed a decree by which the faithful of his Church will celebrate Easter according to the Orthodox calendar. (This will not extend to North America.) John Paul II expressed his suffering in seeing that the process of unity is still being delayed. But he ac-knowledged the Greek-Orthodox leader as one of the pioneers of the rapprochement between Christians East and West. "I know, Beatitude, that like me, you never cease to pray, reflect, work and urge others to smooth the way toward unity," the Pope said. "The theological dialogue should not be at the mercy of the winds of discouragement or the drift of indifference and lack of hope." Recalling his trip to Syria, John Paul II said: "It was the renewal of the promise made at the begin-ning of my pontificate, to make the path toward unity one of my pastoral priorities." Antioch is the see of the Greek-Orthodox patriarchate, although the patriarch resides in Da-mascus. It is the same city mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, where Christ's followers were first called Christians. Following the meeting, Patriarch Ignatius described John Paul II to the press "as one of the great men of the 20th cen-tury. Both he and I have spent all our life for the cause of unity," he said. "In fact, unity is part of the very essence of the Church. The Church can only be one. Evidently today we must work on the meaning of this unity. The Lord constituted one Church, an apostolic body formed by Twelve Apostles. It is up to us to conform to his intentions by working for the unity of this Church. For this reason, unity has always been at the center of our action, and we have consecrated our life to it."

Orthodox Patriarch / Batriyark of Antioch Visits Pope

On 22 October John Paul II welcomed Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim of Antioch to Rome. When the Pope visited the patriarch in Damascus he proposed that Catholics and Orthodox celebrate Easter together as a sign of their quest for unity. Melkite Patriarch Gregorios III recently decreed that the faithful of our Church in Syria will celebrate Easter according to the Orthodox calendar. (This will not extend to North America.) John Paul II expressed regret that the process of unity is still being delayed. But he acknowledged the Orthodox leader as one of the pioneers of unity between East and West. "I know, Be-atitude, that like me, you never cease to pray, reflect, work and urge others to smooth the way toward unity," the Pope said. Patriarch Ignatius described John Paul II "as one of the great men of the 20th century. Both he and I have spent all our life for the cause of unity," he said. "In fact, unity is part of the very essence of the Church. The Church can only be one. Evidently today we must work on the meaning of this unity. The Lord constituted one Church, an apostolic body formed by Twelve Apostles. It is up to us to conform to his intentions by working for the unity of this Church. For this reason, unity has always been at the center of our action, and we have consecrated our life to it."

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles), Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck), and Donna (Donna Bertha Liles Campbell). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000, Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001, and Donna fell asleep in the Lord on March 9, 2020.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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