www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Pope Benedict XVI accepts invitation to visit Phanar

Published by Ekathimerini.com, July 4, 2005

Pope Benedict XVI accepts invitation to visit Phanar

Autumn plans send distinct message to Turkey

Patriarch Athenagoras greets Pope Paul VI at their historic meeting in 1964.

By Nikos Papachristou - Kathimerini

When Pope Paul VI arrived at the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul�s Phanar district in July 1967, in the first visit after many centuries by a head of the Roman Catholic Church, he expressed his astonishment at the simplicity of the building that housed the heart of Orthodoxy.

The visit marked the beginning of a dialogue that was pushed along by Pope John Paul II, who visited the Phanar in 1979. This coming November, the Patriarchate�s heavy wooden entrance door is to open once more for a pontiff, when new Pope Benedict XVI looks set to make the journey to the heart of Orthodoxy. The new pontiff has from the outset emphasized the need for unity within Christendom, and has placed special emphasis on improving relations between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. He reiterated as much in his meeting last week with three metropolitans who represented the patriarch at celebrations marking the enthronement of Benedict XVI. Metropolitan Ioannis of Pergamo, who headed the delegation, extended an invitation to the pope to visit Istanbul which, according to sources, was accepted.

Benedict reportedly reiterated his desire to support the activities of the Orthodox patriarch, a declaration that was interpreted as a message to Turkey regarding its future in Europe. The Vatican misses no opportunity to emphasize its interest in the problems the Patriarchate faces in Istanbul.

The pope�s visit, which will most likely take place on November 30, will be a major step toward resuming the dialogue between the two churches that was abandoned in 2000 over the thorny dispute regarding the Uniats (Eastern Christian churches in communion with the Roman Catholic Church but which retain their own languages and rites.)

The dialogue had been initiated by Patriarch Dimitrios and Pope John Paul II during the latter�s visit to the Phanar a year after his enthronement; the Holy See had even issued a stamp depicting the two Church leaders embracing.

�We must unite our forces and spare no efforts so that the official dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, begun in 1980, is resumed with renewed force,� the new pope told the patriarchal delegation last week. Both churches want to continue the effort at rapprochement aimed at full unity begun by Paul VI and Athinagoras in 1964. The pope�s imminent visit to the Phanar has attracted the interest of diplomats and politicians alike.

�(The visit) is of considerable political importance because the Vatican�s position is known to Turkey; the period between now and October 3 [when Turkey is set to begin accession talks with the EU] is extremely crucial for its future in Europe,� said one diplomatic source.

A wonderful opportunity!

Let us pray that God will accomplish his purposes, in the coming meeting at the Phanar. May God direct his servants Benedict and Bartholomew, and all the leaders of the Churches, in the way of forgiveness and reconciliation.

the catholic and orthodox churches need each other, they need to be one holy catholic(and orthodox?) and apostolic church !

I wonder what language they will converse in.
I understand that His All Holiness is fluent in 7 or 8 languages as well as Benedict XVI.

Both are fluent in Latin but I'm not sure if Pope Benedict is fluent in Greek.

is there any custom that is observed by the visiting Patriarch that sets the language of discussion ?

Brad

Dear Brad,

The Ecumenical Patriarch is also fluent in Italian, among other languages.

When he visits Rome, he gives all his interviews in Italian.

The Pope is also fluent in Greek.

Our Ukrainian Patriarch/Confessor Joseph Slipyj knew a lot of languages, but he knew only classical Greek.

So when he was here and various journalists questioned him, he could answer back in most of their languages.

The Greek journalist had some difficulty carrying on a conversation with him though . . .

I remember being in Greece when I went up to an Orthodox monk and kissed him on the hand.

He asked me if I was Orthodox. I told him I was "Orthodox in communion with Rome."

He then lashed out at me and said that if that was so, then I was definitely NOT ORthodox yadda-yadda-yadda . . .

At this, our tour guide went up to the monk and told him, in Greek, that I was Ukrainian.

At this, the monk perked up and said, "Slipyj? Slipyj?"

To which I enthusiastically nodded a proud "Ochi!"

The monk was familiar with Patriarch Joseph, he then stroked my shoulder, giving me some "life advice" and gave me a little picture-icon which I likewise reverently kissed.

At this he said, "Oh, my friend, you are so . . ." and he smiled.

I still have that picture, many years later.

Alex

Now that the language barrier has been broken, I am beginning to wonder how the papal trip will be choreographed by Vatican diplomats in order not to rankle some powers-that-be in Ankara.

Should it be dubbed as an "official" visit to Turkey, with a side or "pastoral" visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate?

The papal visit happens coetaneously with the offical commencement for the consideration of Turkey's accession to EU membership.

The implications are quite enormous!

Amado

Amen to this, Fr. Elias.

As I have pondered in my previous post, the "political" aspect of the papal visit should be considered.

The EP is NOT (yet) under the Holy See's umbrella of "protection." Only the Catholic dioceses in Turkey are! (The Pope, as sovereign of the Vatican City-State, can make pastoral visits on a Catholic diocese anywhere in the world, even without the prior invitation of the host state, i.e., if that state has diplomatic relations with the Holy See.)

Thus, the papal visit has to be "orchestrated" beginning with a formal invitation from Ankara, with whom the Holy See has diplomatic relations, for the Pope to meet specifically with Patriarch Bartholomew.

Details at:

http://zenit.org/english/show_8.php

Amado

Out of respect for a guest would the EP then suggest that they converse in German or Italian or out of respect for the host would Pope Benedict suggest they converse in Greek ?

I wonder.

Dear Brad:

In this instance, the language of choice between the Pope and the EP will probably have little to do with "mutual respect" for each other.

Whatever language that would facilitate the exchange of views and pleasantries between the hierarchs and their respective delegations is "it."

English, being the primary language of international discourse and diplomacy, has the upperhand!

And "neutral" to both!

Amado

Dear Brad:

Technically, or in diplomatese, the "host" is Turkey and not the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the latter being not (yet) an "independent" mini-State within a State.

Although it is the "substantive" reason for the papal visit, Pope Benedict's meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew becomes relegated behind the "official" visit of the Holy Father to Turkey, with a pre-approved (by Ankara) "side" trip to the Phanar.

It's just the quirks of diplomacy in today's world.

Amado

Dear Amado,

I doubt if English would be used. The Patriarch and Pope would undoubtably converse in whatever language they can better express themselves. I'm sure Greek would be used and maybe Latin for theological expressions. Then of course Italian might be the social language of choice Since the Pope has spent many years in Italy and so did the Patriarch.

Zenovia

Dear Amado,

I can just see it now. The Pope greeting the Patriarch in Greek and the Patriarch responding in Latin. Then they both decide on Italian.

I recall hearing that the best language for business is English. For the military it is German, for love French and for music Italian. I think Italian would probably be the most 'affectionate' language to use.

Zenovia

Dear Zenovia:

I do also hope that both will converse in Italian, or in the traditional Church languages: Greek and Latin!

Yes, the Patriarch studied in Rome and the "acceptance" speech of Pope Benedict upon his election was rendered mostly in Italian beautifully.

But, as I volunteered, whatever language that will facilitate the friendly exchange will do.

Amado

Alas, the Catholic dioceses in Turkey are NOT under the Pope's protection - nothing is but the nunciature. You wouldn't believe how church property is held in Turkey - and the Turks have the nerve to claim that they have a secular state and freedom of religion!

Incognitus