In search of solutions to the problems concerning Catholics and Russian Orthodox Christians, Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill will today meet in Havana, in what is an unprecedented event in the history of their churches.
After centuries of disagreement and a long process of talks, the two religious leaders will meet in Havana before continuing their respective tours of Latin America, a region declared a Zone of Peace by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) two years ago.
The encounter is seen as an opportunity for these two religious institutions, which have millions of members worldwide, to work together for a civilized and peaceful coexistence. Cuba is proud to have been chosen to host such a historic meeting.
This will be the first meeting of the heads of these two churches since 1054, when the Great Schism between the Eastern and Western Christian churches occurred.
In the context of preparations for the meeting, Pope Francis referred to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia as his “dear brother” during the traditional Sunday prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, which could be a sign of a possible visit to Russia by Pope Francis.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said this week that the Holy See and the Moscow Patriarchate hope that the meeting this Friday serves as a sign of hope for all people of good will.
Meanwhile, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin noted that Cuba was chosen as host country as the island is considered a neutral territory, where there are no denominational conflicts.
The Patriarch suggested the meeting as part of his tour of Latin America, and Pope Francis, who from the beginning expressed his willingness to meet him anywhere, accepted the proposal to meet in Cuba, Parolin added.
He highlighted that the document to be signed by both church leaders will be a great contribution to the ecumenical movement and to peace across the world.
Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev, Metropolitan of Volokolamsk, speaking during a press conference at the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, recalled that preparations for a meeting between the Patriarch of Moscow and the Pope have been underway for almost 20 years.
He explained that the genocide of Christians as a result of terrorism hastened the decision to hold this unprecedented meeting.
The meeting in Havana is a new and important step towards better religious ties, and will have a positive impact not only on relations between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, but also on peace across the world, the bishop added.
Common interests contributed to the highly anticipated conclave, which according to a joint statement from the Holy See and the Moscow Patriarchate, seeks consensus on aspects of cooperation.
Speaking on Vatican Radio, Reverend Father Hyacinthe Destivelle, of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, which handles relations with the Orthodox Churches of the world, noted that among the matters covered in the joint declaration to be signed by Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, the defense of life, marriage and the family stand out, as well as the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.
The Dominican expert, who will also be in Havana, explained that the joint statement will not be of a theological nature, as this kind of dialogue has been underway for a long time within the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, which began in Jerusalem on January 4, 1964.
Both churches - Catholic and Orthodox - share the doctrine of the seven sacraments: Eucharist, Baptism, Confirmation or Chrismation - which in the Orthodox Church is performed by immersion, not sprinkling as in Catholicism - Penance or Confession, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
However, unlike Catholics, Orthodox canon law allows married men to be priests, but not bishops, who are elected from among celibate or widowed priests.
Kirill visited Cuba for the first time in 1995 to revitalize the Russian Orthodox community on the island and returned in 2004 to participate in the laying of the foundation stone of the Russian Orthodox cathedral in Havana, in his capacity as Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad and president of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations.
October 17-20, 2008, he made a third visit to the island to participate in the “Days of Russia in Cuba” event, and officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Our Lady of Kazan Orthodox Cathedral on Havana’s Avenida del Puerto.
On that occasion, he met with the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, who noted, in one of his Reflections published in the national press, the ethical principles of Patriarch Kirill, derived from the preaching of Christ according to the Gospels and his ecumenical conception of religion.
Following the death of Patriarch Alexy II, Kirill was elected Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia on January 27, 2009 and canonically enthroned a few days later.
Pope Francis visited the island in September last year, where he stated “Thank you, Cubans, for making me feel among family, making me feel at home”
The anticipated meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill ratifies Cuba as fertile ground for dialogue, having been the host of other important events, such as the ongoing Colombian peace talks.
