"Two brothers, one faith": Phanar head making a visit to Italy

Patriarch Bartholomew and RCC Archbishop Andrea Bellandi. Photo: Facebook of the Archdiocese of Salerno

The head of the Phana, Patriarch Bartholomew, is making a visit to Italy, reports Italian resources. On May 4, 2023, together with Cardinal Giuseppe Bettori, he prayed at a service at the Catholic Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence. On the same day, the programme for the visit of the Phanar head was presented at the Archbishop's Palace in Salerno under the title "Two brothers, one faith".

On 6 May, Patriarch Bartholomew took part in a mass at the main cathedral of Salerno together with Catholic Archbishop Andrea Bellandi. After the service, Patriarch Bartholomew was given a portion of the relics of the Apostle Matthew.

In his speech on the occasion, the head of the Phanar said that Orthodox and Catholics have gathered "today in this ancient cathedral, praying and waiting to be together one day around the same Bread and the same Cup".

As earlier reported, the Pope and the Phanar head discussed a common date for Easter celebrations.

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