On Monday 9th January, the Custos of the Holy Land, Brother Pierbattista Pizzaballa, together with many representatives of the Franciscan community in Jerusalem, went to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate to extend their Christmas and New Year greetings to the heads of this Church. Those accompanying the Custos included Brother Artemio Vitores, the Custodial Vicar, Brother Silvio De La Fuente, the Custodial Secretary, Brother Noel Muscat, Discreet of the Holy Land, Brother Ibrahim Faltas, the current Bursar who is also responsible for relations with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities and a large group of students from the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum.
When they arrived in a procession with the kawas, the Franciscans were honourably welcomed by the authorities of the Greek Orthodox Church and were received in the splendid Throne Room of the patriarchal see, where Pope Benedict XVI had also been received during his pilgrimage in the Holy Land in 2009. Greetings were exchanged in an atmosphere of great cordiality and openness, delightfully accompanied by the performance of a talented group of singers.
This marks an important occasion, for the Christian communities taking part, to share the feelings of joy and devotion for the mystery of Christmas, an event which is at the centre of the life and faith of all Christians, and also to continue in the path of mutual comprehension, collaboration and reciprocal solidarity in the not always easy daily life in the Holy Land.
By Caterina Foppa Pedretti
Photos by Alice Caputo
When they arrived in a procession with the kawas, the Franciscans were honourably welcomed by the authorities of the Greek Orthodox Church and were received in the splendid Throne Room of the patriarchal see, where Pope Benedict XVI had also been received during his pilgrimage in the Holy Land in 2009. Greetings were exchanged in an atmosphere of great cordiality and openness, delightfully accompanied by the performance of a talented group of singers.
This marks an important occasion, for the Christian communities taking part, to share the feelings of joy and devotion for the mystery of Christmas, an event which is at the centre of the life and faith of all Christians, and also to continue in the path of mutual comprehension, collaboration and reciprocal solidarity in the not always easy daily life in the Holy Land.
By Caterina Foppa Pedretti
Photos by Alice Caputo