In these days of polarization, both political and religious, it’s good to see signs of unity.
While the United Kingdom was voting to leave the European Union, and other countries were mulling their options to do the same, the first Pan-Orthodox Council in more than a millennium was held. (See stories on page one.) Despite some difficulties, the council reflected a willingness among Orthodox Church leaders to put aside their many differences and work toward goals that have eluded them for more than 1,000 years.
At the same time, Pope Francis contributed to East-West Church unity with his three-day apostolic voyage to the first Christian state of Armenia. (See story on page nine.) It is the home of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which has been estranged from Rome since the sixth century and whose first patriarch was St. Gregory the Illuminator.
The visit by the Holy Father, in his meetings with the current patriarch, Catholicos Karekin II, was punctuated by a joint declaration that stressed each Church’s common ground with the other.
Let us pray that these historic meetings will bear good fruit in the future and that the leaders of the Orthodox Churches can overcome their differences and bring about true Christian unity.
God bless you!