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VATICAN CITY, NOV. 29, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Slovenian prime minister invited Benedict XVI to visit his country in 2009 and expressed his nation's gratitude for the Holy See's concern ever since Slovenia gained independence.

The Vatican press office reported that Janez Jansa visited the Pope today in the Vatican. He later met with the Holy Father's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

The prime minister "invited the Holy Father to visit Slovenia in 2009, for the occasion of the Year of Young People and for the closure of the National Eucharistic Congress," said the Vatican communiqué. "Prime Minister Jansa also outlined the priorities and principal initiatives for the forthcoming six-month Slovenian presidency of the European Union."

Cardinal Bertone expressed his hope that the Slovenian presidency would help bring peace and stability to the region of southeastern Europe, the communiqué reported.

"Finally, a number of bilateral questions were addressed," it continued, "such as the process of restoring ecclesiastical property nationalized under the communist regime, and the prospects for creating a military ordinariate."

Slovenia gained independence in 1991. About 58% of its 2 million inhabitants are Catholic.

ZE07112903 - 2007-11-29

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04 December 2022

Joachim and Anna Rejoice

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed, * for God has heard Joachim and Anna * and He promises manifestly that they, against all hope, would give birth to the Maiden of God * from whom the Uncircumscribed One Himself would be born, becoming man, * and he commanded the Angels to cry out to her: * “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!” (Troparion - Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Today the whole world celebrates * the conception of Anne which was brought about by God, * for she gave birth to the one who, beyond understanding, * gave birth to the Word. (Kontakion - Tone 4)

Saint Nicholas of Myra

The truth of your deeds has revealed you to your flock, * as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. * Therefore, you attained the heights through humility, * and riches through poverty. * O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, * pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved. (Troparion, Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

In Myra, You were shown to be a servant of the sacred things, O Holy Nicholas, * for, fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, you, O Venerable, laid down your life for your people, * and saved the innocent from death. * Therefore, you were sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God. (Kontakion, Tone 3)