Friday, May 23, 2014

Patriarch Bartholomew Arrives in Israel;Will Discuss Orth.-Cath. Unity with Pope Francis

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew -- spiritual leader of over 300 million Orthodox Christian faithful worldwide -- arrived in Israel today (May 23, 2014) and will meet with Pope Francis on May 25 and 26, 2014 in the Holy City of Jerusalem, the Greek Star website reports.

At Ben Gurion International Airport, His All-Holiness was greeted by His Excellency Uzi Landau, Israeli Minister of Tourism; His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem; and the Consuls General of Greece and Turkey in Jerusalem, George Zacharioudakis and Mustafa Sarnic respectively.

After arriving in Jerusalem, the Ecimenical Patriarch proceeded to the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulcher) and led a service of Thanksgiving in advance of his meetings with Pope Francis.

Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis will hold private meetings, sign a joint declaration, and conduct an ecumenical meeting in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher to mark the 50th anniversary of the meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras at the same site.

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