14.11.30 - Unity Vision Reignited by Pope, Patriarch's Gestures in Turkey

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CNS) -- After watching firsthand as Pope Francis bowed his head for a blessing from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during the pope's Nov. 28-30 trip to Turkey, an American-born Orthodox priest felt a joyful disbelief.

Father Lemelson, who holds a bachelor's degree in theology and religious studies from the Jesuit-run Seattle University and master's of divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, told Catholic News Service that, as a young man, he fostered a vision that Catholics and Orthodox Christians would soon be reunited.

"Suddenly that vision has been reignited. I believe that Pope Francis is truly a great leader and has shown great humility, and that he is not afraid," Father Lemelson said, adding that he thought the ecumenical meeting in Turkey was a sign of greater things to come, of more meetings and of moving things forward in the right direction.

Before leaving Turkey, Pope Francis said he is ready to go anywhere, anytime to meet with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, even while acknowledging that Catholic and Orthodox theologians might be slow to agree to end the 1,000-year schism.

Father Lemelson speculated that the dwindling presence of Christians in Turkey and the Middle East, along with the persecution of Christianity in Turkey and elsewhere, is a cause for hastening the ecumenical dialogue and efforts toward greater unity.

"I think this comes at a critical moment in history; this sign of unity is important to all Christians to put their nominal differences aside," Father Lemelson said. "I really believe, based on Pope Francis' statements and actions, that he has the proclivity and openness to seeking unity."

Father Lemelson noted Pope Francis' comment that ecumenical unity would not necessarily mean the Orthodox would have to accept conditions to that unity, except the shared profession of faith.

Father Lemelson said Pope Francis' final gesture in Turkey was a brilliant stroke. "He immediately extended himself to the Russian Orthodox Church, saying he wants this unity, and although relations between Moscow and the Vatican have remained cold ... if anyone can overcome that, Pope Francis can," he said.

"In some ways, what happened over the last few days changed very little; but from another perspective, it changed everything," the priest, Archdeacon John Chryssavgis, told The Criterion, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. "Because over the last few months, the pope and the patriarch have sealed their personal friendship and their fraternal commitment to a united witness in the contemporary world and a united church."

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Some see unity vision reignited by pope, patriarch's gestures in Turkey