The visit of Pope Benedict to the Ecumenical Patriarchate

An exchange of brotherly greetings between Pope Benedict XVI and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew were held following a Service of Thanksgiving at the Phanar’s Patriarchal Church of St. George, during the November 29, 2006 Papal Visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY — During the last week of November 2006, Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XVI visited Turkey, where he met with numerous state and religious officials.

A highlight of his trip was his visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul’s Phanar district, where he was welcomed by His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.

Upon the Pope’s arrival at the Patriarchate, a Doxology was celebrated in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George. At the conclusion of the service, Patriarch Bartholomew welcomed Pope Benedict, who responded accordingly. Before advancing to the Hall of the Throne, Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Benedict venerated the relics of Saints Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, both former archbishops of Constantinople and predecessors of Patriarch Bartholomew. The relics of the two saints were taken to Rome in the 1204 AD sacking of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. It was a request from Patriarch Bartholomew to Pope John Paul II, who wholeheartedly accepted, that initiated the return of the relics two years ago to their original resting place in Constantinople.

Following the welcoming ceremonies, Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Benedict met privately to discuss issues regarding Orthodox Christian and Roman Catholic relations, including interreligious dialogue, world peace, and mutual understanding.

On Thursday, November 30, Pope Benedict and his entourage attended the Patriarchal and Synodical Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Cathedral of Saint George on the occasion of the Patriarchate’s patronal feast day of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the founder of the Church of Constantinople.

For a complete report, photos, and videos of the historic visit, log on to the web site of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at www.patriarchate.org and the web site of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.