Message to Pope John Paul II upon the 40th anniversary of the meeting of Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI in Jerusalem

Your Holiness John Paul II, Pope of the elder Rome: rejoice in the Lord.

In these days, in which a forty-year period is completed since the historical and blessed meeting in Jerusalem between our predecessors Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras of blessed memory, we turn our thoughts, in gratitude, to their sacred memory and to the vision of the complete union of our sister Churches in the common faith and in the sacraments.  It was this vision that they served through brave initiatives and steps.  Hence, we assure Your Holiness that the Ecumenical Patriarchate and our Modesty personally are ready to continue these steps until we come into “the unity of the faith and in the communion of the Holy Spirit”.

Thus, praying for the long healthy life of Your Holiness, we embrace You and remain with invariable fraternal love and honour.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

At the Phanar, at the Patriarchate, 5 January 2004

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