Cardinal Koch: ecumenism of saints brings Catholics and Orthodox closer together
Victor Vladimirov - Vatican City
On February 12, 2016, in the building of the Havana International Airport named after Jose Marti, the Bishop of Rome and the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church exchanged fraternal hugs and speeches, signing a Joint Statement that outlined the stages of a common path and cooperation and reaffirmed the shared responsibility for the future of Christianity and humanity. Since then - in commemoration of this event - annually on February 12, high-level meetings are held with the participation of Cardinal Koch and Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk.
In previous years, they took place in Friborg (Switzerland), Vienna, and then in Moscow and were devoted to the themes of martyrdom and fidelity of Christians in the Middle East, depopulation of the Middle East region, the end of life and the human dignity of patients.
This year, on February 12, a conference will be held in Rome at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, and in the evening of the same day - a concert at the Basilica of St. John on Lateran Hill, in which the Moscow Synodal Choir will perform with the choir of the Pontifical Sistine Chapel.
In an interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Kurt Koch noted that the theme of saints was chosen as a sign of unity for the Roman meeting, “because in Rome we honor many saints and especially saints of the undivided Church, uniting East and West. It is wonderful when church leaders meet, when theologians discuss theological issues, but it is equally important to attract believers to the ecumenical movement. Honoring saints and meditating on holiness are very important issues. I believe that the saints of East and West have already found unity in heaven and can help find this unity on earth, ”said the Vatican Cardinal.
