Pope Francis Invites Bartholomew I to Celebrate 1700 Years Since Nicaea

In an open letter from Pope Francis to Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I, Pope Francis formally invited Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I, head of the Orthodox Church, to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the conclusion of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea with himself. The letter began, with the usual patriarch-to-patriarch pleasantries for such an important communication, and then Pope Francis got to the point. Pope Francis called to mind the document Unitatis Redintegratio (Latin for Restoration of Unity), a document which was produced from the Second Vatican Council, which encourages, and outlines how Catholics ought to seek unity between many other Christian denominations, with special consideration given to Christians belonging to Eastern comunions. The ultimate goal is, of course, full visible communion between all Christians in profession and practice.

In a previous letter from Pope Francis to Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I, Pope Francis noted how monumental Pope Paul VI’s historic meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch, Athenagoras I in January of 1964 in Jerusalem was for the ecumenical relationship between the Catholic and Orthodox communions. Pope Francis in the earlier letter, written Nov. 30th of 2023 wrote,

“It is noteworthy that today we remember not so much the words and statements of those two prophetic Pastors, but above all their warm embrace. Indeed, it is highly significant that this journey of reconciliation, increasing closeness and overcoming of obstacles still impeding full visible communion, began with an embrace, a gesture that eloquently expresses the mutual recognition of ecclesial fraternity.”

Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I’s are continuing in the footsteps of their successors, working together towards a communion that has been separated for so long.

Pope Francis notes that what he is trying to do is no easy task, in his recent letter, he remarks,

“[T]he ultimate goal of dialogue, [namely,] full communion among all Christians, [and] sharing in the one Eucharistic chalice, has not yet been realized even with our Orthodox brothers and sisters. This is not surprising, for divisions dating back a millennium, cannot be resolved within a few decades.”

The Pope, however, expresses hope that one day, a solution and a lasting embrace between the Catholic and Orthodox communions can be achieved. Francis writes,

“This is not to say that we should lose sight of the ultimate goal for which we all yearn, nor can we lose hope that this unity can be achieved in the course of history and within a reasonable time.”

It is clear that although the task is difficult, Pope Francis believes that it can be accomplished, although we might not live long enough to see it, a unity may come between the Catholic and Orthodox communions.

Pope Francis concluded his letter, asking Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I to join him in celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the conclusion of the Council of Nicaea with the following words,

“ I have already expressed several times my desire to be able to celebrate this event together with you, and I sincerely thank all those who have already begun working to make that possible. This anniversary will concern not only the ancient Sees that took part actively in the Council, but all Christians who continue to profess their faith in the words of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. The remembrance of that important event will surely strengthen the bonds that already exist and encourage all Churches to a renewed witness in today’s world. The fraternity lived and the witness given by Christians will also be a message for our world plagued by war and violence. In this regard, I willingly unite myself to your prayer that there may be peace in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and in Lebanon, and in all those regions where there is being fought what I have often called a ‘piecemeal world war.’”