News

CWN - Cardinal Kurt Koch, the president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, is in Russia this week for meetings with leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Cardinal Koch will meet with Patriarch Kirill II of Moscow, and with Metropolitan Hilarion, the head of the external-relations department for the Moscow patriarchate. The cardinal will speak at the Moscow Theological Academy on the progress in Orthodox-Catholic dialogue. His visit to Moscow comes at a time when Orthodox officials have shown a new interest in improving ties with Rome, and broached the possibility of a “summit meeting” between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill.

Cardinal Koch will also meet with Catholic officials, including Archbishop Paolo Pezzi of Moscow, and preside at a jubilee celebration for the basilica of St. Catherine in St. Petersburg.

Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

Catholic World News

Forum 18 News

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)