Pope Benedict XVI in Cyprus - Meeting with Orthodox Archbishop
(5 June 10 - RV) Below is the full text of Pope Benedict XVI's greeting to the Orthodox
Archbishop of Cyprus, Chrysostomos II:
Your Beatitude, Σε χαιρετώ με αδελφική
αγάπη εν τω Αναστημένω Κυρίω. Σε ευχαριστώ για την θερμή σου υποδοχή. I recall with
gratitude your visit to Rome three years ago, and I rejoice that today we meet again
in your beloved homeland. Through you, I greet the Holy Synod, and all the priests,
deacons, monks, nuns and lay faithful of the Church of Cyprus. Before all else,
I wish to express my gratitude for the hospitality which the Church of Cyprus so generously
offered to the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue on the occasion
of its meeting last year in Paphos. I am likewise grateful for the support that the
Church of Cyprus, through the clarity and openness of her contributions, has always
given to the work of the dialogue. May the Holy Spirit guide and confirm this great
ecclesial undertaking, which aims at restoring full and visible communion between
the Churches of East and West, a communion to be lived in fidelity to the Gospel and
the apostolic tradition, esteem for the legitimate traditions of East and West, and
openness to the diversity of gifts by which the Spirit builds up the Church in unity,
holiness and peace. This spirit of fraternity and communion also found expression
in the generous contribution which Your Beatitude sent in the name of the Church of
Cyprus for those suffering from last year’s earthquake in l’Aquila, near Rome, whose
needs are close to my heart. In that same spirit, I now join you in praying that
all the inhabitants of Cyprus, with God’s help, will find the wisdom and strength
needed to work together for a just settlement of issues remaining to be resolved,
to strive for peace and reconciliation, and to build for future generations a society
distinguished by respect for the rights of all, including the inalienable rights to
freedom of conscience and freedom of worship. Cyprus is traditionally considered
part of the Holy Land, and the situation of continuing conflict in the Middle East
must be a source of concern to all Christ’s followers. No one can remain indifferent
to the need to support in every way possible the Christians of that troubled region,
so that its ancient Churches can live in peace and flourish. The Christian communities
of Cyprus can find a most fruitful area for ecumenical cooperation in praying and
working together for peace, reconciliation and stability in the lands blessed by the
earthly presence of the Prince of Peace. With these sentiments, Your Beatitude,
I thank you once more for your fraternal welcome, and I assure you of my prayers for
you and for all the clergy and faithful of the Church of Cyprus. Η χαρά και η
ειρήνη του αναστημένου Χριστού ας είναι πάντοτε μαζί σου.