Unity and cohesion

His Beatitude Youssef Absi, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch (Syria) is going to celebrate a Byzantine Divine Liturgy in the Saint Stephen’s Basilica on Wednesday, 8th September. Linked to the ceremony a charity event is to be organised with the aim to support the persecuted Christians.

The annual meeting of the European Greek Catholic Bishops is taking place this year in Budapest and in Gödöllő (Hungary), and is arranged by the Hungarian Greek Catholic Metropolia in the frame of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress.

At the opening of the meeting, held on the Eucharist and synodality, Péter Erdő recalled the first meeting of the European Greek Catholic bishops that was held in 1997, in Nyíregyháza. That was the time when many Eastern Churches experienced a dramatic situation following the fall of communism, in the period of a rebirth. The Cardinal highlighted the essence of their mission, pointing out that it is not to create new ideologies, but rather to preach the Gospel. “Not even the identity of the European Union can differ from the point that we belong together in Christ.” – added the Cardinal.

“Sad to say but European culture is on its way to become irreligious, while simply endeavouring not to hurt anyone.” – underlined Michael August Blume SVD, Apostolic Nuncio to Hungary at the opening ceremony. The Apostolic Nuncio invited the attendees to ask the Holy Spirit for strengthening them in their faith and common thinking.

A lecture was given by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, President of the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE) as well. In his speech Cardinal Bagnasco emphasized that the unity in the Holy Spirit is a real miracle, actually, that’s what the world has lost, still desperately longs for. The Church itself should also be featured by a strong unity based on synodality, at the same time it should also lead to unity in a disciplinary sense, in the field of pastoral care, as well as in the celebration of the Eucharist. “Indeed, the Eucharist binds us with the unity of God. The first Christians were living in the faith of the resurrected Christ. Maybe they were not strong people, but their faith was sound, and both in their prayer and in the Eucharist they formed unity with Jesus, and followed him.” – worded the Cardinal.

Participants of the meeting are foreseen to accept a joint declaration on 8 September. The same day, His Beatitude Youssef Absi, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch (Syria) is going to celebrate a Byzantine Divine Liturgy in the Saint Stephen’s Basilica, concelebrated by Greek Catholic bishops. At the beginning of the liturgy Cardinal Péter Erdő greets the participants, homily will be presented by Fülöp Kocsis, Greek Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop. Linked to the ceremony a charity event is organised with the aim to support the persecuted Christians.

Source and photo: Magyar Kurír