(April 29, 2009) Every week on Wednesday, the Pope holds a public meeting, called
the general audience, during which pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome have a chance
of seeing and hearing him speak. During the general audience the Pope delivers a
reflection and greets various groups in their languages. The General Audience of April
29 was held in St. Peter’s Square. An aide greeted the Pope on behalf of the English-speaking
pilgrims, presenting the various groups to him. Pope Benedict then spoke in English.
Listen: Dear Brothers and Sisters, in our catechesis on the early Christian
writers of East and West, we turn to Saint Germanus, Bishop and Patriarch of Constantinople,
whose feast day is celebrated in the Greek Church on 12 May. In 717, while Constantinople
was under siege by Saracen armies, Germanus led a procession with the venerated image
of the Theotokos, the Mother of God, and relics of the Holy Cross. The siege was
lifted, convincing him that God had responded to the people’s devotion. Some time
later however, Emperor Leo III initiated his campaign against the use of sacred images,
judging them to be a source of idolatry. When Germanus opposed the Emperor publicly
in 730 he was forced to retire in exile to a monastery, where he later died. His
memory was not forgotten, and in the Second Council of Nicea, which restored devotion
to sacred images, his name was honoured. The writings of Germanus, steeped in an
ardent love of the Church and devotion to the Mother of God, have had a wide influence
on the piety of the faithful both of the East and the West. He promoted a solemn
and beautiful Liturgy and is also known for his insights in Mariology. In homilies
on the Presentation and the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Germanus extols her virtue
and her mission. A text which sees the source of her bodily incorruption in her virginal
maternity was included by Pope Pius XII in his Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus
Deus. I pray that through the intercession of Saint Germanus we may all be renewed
in our love of the Church and devotion to the Mother of God. I offer a warm
welcome to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors from England, Scotland,
Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Canada and the United States. Upon all of you I
cordially invoke the Lord’s Easter blessings of joy and peace!