(November 17, 2008) Orthodox, Catholics and people of other faiths are gathered together
on the island of Cyprus to pray for a civilization of peace. The International Meeting
of Prayer for Peace, traditionally sponsored by the Catholic lay Sant'Egidio Community,
and this year cosponsored by the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, began Sunday and ends
Tuesday. This 22nd meeting is on "The Civilization of Peace: Faiths and Cultures in
Dialogue." These annual international meetings are part of the heritage of the World
Day of Prayer for Peace convened in Assisi by Pope John Paul II on Oct. 27, 1986.
Orthodox Archbishop Chrysostomos II of New Justiniana and All Cyprus prayed together
at Mass on Saturday evening with Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation
for Eastern Churches. In his homily, Chrysostomos II spoke about the island's difficult
situation, emphasizing the significance of peace as an absolute value: "Even if in
different languages, through the liturgy we have affirmed our unity in faith and the
bond of love between us." Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio,
in greeting the Orthodox Churches, underscored the beauty of the Orthodox liturgy,
which leads the heart to peace: "The liturgy [...] already brings us into the Kingdom
of Christ, the true world of peace, indeed, the true civilization of peace." "It reminds
us that peace is first of all a gift of God, which we must ask of him praying, loving
and forgiving," he added. "Peace transfigures men, women, and peoples. May the prayer
of this holy liturgy transfigure our world and make it a land of peace." Cardinal
Sandri then greeted Chrysostomos II and Theodoros II, patriarch of Alexandria and
All Africa, in the name of Benedict XVI. The Pope opened last year's international
encounter, co-sponsored the Archdiocese of Naples, on Oct. 21, 2007.