Orthodox attend Pope's induction.

[Johnb]

Do Catholics see the Orthodox leaders attending this ceremony as significant since this is a first since the split over 1000s years ago?

PS I don't know if the Catholic church fully understands what they have unleashed on themselves with Francis.  I mean that in a good way.

[winsome]

Do Catholics see the Orthodox leaders attending this ceremony as significant since this is a first since the split over 1000s years ago?

I think it is a sign that the discussions between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches are bearing some fruit. The Orthodox were invited at attend the second Vatican Council as observers (as were representatives from other Christian groups) and although they did not come at first they did attend near the end.

PS I don't know if the Catholic church fully understands what they have unleashed on themselves with Francis.  I mean that in a good way.

I lot of us are greatly cheered by what we have seen and heard of Pope Francis. I think the Cardinals were listening to the Holy Spirit.

[Johnb]

Thanks winsome.  I was wondering how Catholics would feel about Francis.  I see this as a good thing.  I also believe many non Catholics are so busy condemning some of the past errors of some Catholics they fail to see the many good things the RCC has brought to the Christian world and the preservation of scripture.  Many also fail to understand why the RCC  is the fastest growing Christian church in America.  This IMO is because there are always lots of priests and other Catholics who go where the people are and live among and like them instead of above them.

[winsome]

Apparently many Orthodox are impressed by Pope Francis

http://www.aleteia.org/en/religion/documents/many-eastern-orthodox-impressed-by-pope-francis-603002

[Johnb]

Thanks for the link.  Yes when he took Francis as a name I started to learn more about him.  Unlike many non Catholics I knew the meaning behind the name and it sure looks like he is cut from the same cloth as the original.

[trifecta]

Speaking from the Orthodox side, I am pleased that Orthodox attended Pope Francis' induction.  I think, as a people today, we want to be more united today, than they did in the early 1960s.  I've read some writings of religious people of that and other eras (Prot, RCC, and 0) and it seems to me that people focused more in the differences then than they do today.

On the other hand, I can see why one would not attend.    Since the Great Schism in 1054, we have considered the position of the Bishop of Rome to be vacant.  So, to attend the coronation of a man claiming to be the Bishop of Rome can be interpreted as approving of such an action. 

Nevertheless, since the 1960s, with the increase in Protestant evangelical, Pentecostal movements as well as liberal expressions and heresies of Christianity, both sides appear to be  are focusing on what we have in common, which is much.

After all, we were once part of the same church. 

[winsome]

Speaking from the Orthodox side, I am pleased that Orthodox attended Pope Francis' induction.  I think, as a people today, we want to be more united today, than they did in the early 1960s.  I've read some writings of religious people of that and other eras (Prot, RCC, and 0) and it seems to me that people focused more in the differences then than they do today.

On the other hand, I can see why one would not attend.    Since the Great Schism in 1054, we have considered the position of the Bishop of Rome to be vacant.  So, to attend the coronation of a man claiming to be the Bishop of Rome can be interpreted as approving of such an action. 

Nevertheless, since the 1960s, with the increase in Protestant evangelical, Pentecostal movements as well as liberal expressions and heresies of Christianity, both sides appear to be  are focusing on what we have in common, which is much.

After all, we were once part of the same church. 

According to an article in this week's Tablet (UK Catholic weekly) it was a bold step by Patriarch Bartholomew and the response by Pope Francis was immediate and commensurate. The successor of Peter greeted the successor of the other Galilean fisherman as 'my brother Andrew'.

[Johnb]

He eats with the servants and others in the common dining room, won't stay in the palace and washes the feet of criminals and kisses them after the washing.  Francis is doing more IMO to heal wounds than Any pope in history.  God bless him hope he stays the same.  PS  I am not a Catholic.

[LightHammer]

Speaking from the Orthodox side, I am pleased that Orthodox attended Pope Francis' induction.  I think, as a people today, we want to be more united today, than they did in the early 1960s.  I've read some writings of religious people of that and other eras (Prot, RCC, and 0) and it seems to me that people focused more in the differences then than they do today.

On the other hand, I can see why one would not attend.    Since the Great Schism in 1054, we have considered the position of the Bishop of Rome to be vacant.  So, to attend the coronation of a man claiming to be the Bishop of Rome can be interpreted as approving of such an action. 

Nevertheless, since the 1960s, with the increase in Protestant evangelical, Pentecostal movements as well as liberal expressions and heresies of Christianity, both sides appear to be  are focusing on what we have in common, which is much.

After all, we were once part of the same church. 

I wonder if you could provide official documentation about what you say regarding the status of the Bishop of Rome. I understood that officially the only universal consensus among the bishops under the primacy of Constantinople is that they are not in communion with Rome. Rome's status as in heresy or the see as being vacant  is not universal but differs from bishop to bishop; lacking universal consensus and thus failing to constitute the true Orthodox position.

If you could link me to official Orthodoxy on this matter that would help me out alot.

[trifecta]

Hi LH   

Happy Easter! Christ is Risen!

I'll answer you inquiry on a different thread.  Don't want to hijack the thread.