In first since Great Schism, Orthodox to attend papal Mass

[meow2u3]

For the first time since the Schism between Western and Eastern Christianity in the year 1054, the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople will attend a papal inauguration Mass, AsiaNews reported Friday.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I will attend Pope Francis' formal inauguration in St. Peter's Square Tuesday, along with representatives of Argentina's Orthodox Church and Italy's Orthodox Church, the news service reports.

Bartholomew's attending of the papal inauguration might be seen in some circles as a sign of hope for reunification between the churches, although of course it has been a millennia since the five episcopal sees of the Roman Empire -- Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem -- were completely undivided.

http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/first-great-schism-orthodox-attend-papal-mass

[goldent]

1. Perhaps only symbolic

but still very happy to see it.

[meow2u3]

2. The fact that Orthodox patriarchs are attending Papal Mass

is a glimmer of hope that the Eastern Orthodox churches have a mind of becoming Eastern Rite Catholics, but this is yet to be seen.

[No Vested Interest]

3. I also heard on TV that Pope Francis called

the head rabbi of Rome on Saturday.
Don't know the conversation, but imagine it was just introducing himself and saying they should get together.
Sounds like a good start in that direction.

[meow2u3]

4. I sense hope for real Church reform with Pope Francis

IDK--I just have this feeling.

[No Vested Interest]

5. The sense of optimism is good

for us all.
Keep our expectations realistic - some changes hoped for are not going to be made.
But having a good man - internally, spiritually, humbly - like a shot of vitamin B12 for us all.

[demosincebirth]

7. I do too. I seen a huge smile on the Pope's face the other day at some function. Haven't seen a

Pope smile like that, ever. More like a laugh.

[Kingofalldems]

6. I predict the Orthodox position on married priests

will be adopted.