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CWN - Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill said that he has “great expectations” of Pope Francis, because the Pontiff’s pastoral plan “coincides with our vision.”

Patriarch Kirill made this comment as he met on December 18 with Cardinal Kurt Koch, the president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, who is visiting Moscow this week. The Russian patriarch said that he was pleased to meet the Vatican official, remarking that he had “more and more opportunities to meet with Catholic prelates.” In November he had met with Cardinal Paul Poupard, Cardinal Angelo Scola, and Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, in a clear expansion of Vatican ties with the Russian Orthodox leadership.

Patriarch Kirill said that the Catholic and Orthodox churches have strong mutual concerns on key public issues, such as the quest for peace in the Middle East, the protection of Christians against persecution, and the defense of marriage and the family. Cardinal Koch agreed that “the institution of the family is now in a very deep crisis,” and suggested that Catholics and Orthodox should work together to curb abortion.

During his stay in Moscow, Cardinal Koch also spoke with Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Alexei Meshkov, about the prospects for cooperation with the Russian government. President Vladimir Putin has claimed a position for the Russian government in defense of Christianity and traditional moral principles. The Holy See worked successfully with Russia in September to avoid US military intervention in Syria.

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)