HE Cypriot Orthodox Metropolitan Vasilios: Unity makes us stronger

Orthodox priests wait for the arrival of His Holiness Pope Francis at Apostle Varnavas Cathedral in Nicosia, Cyprus

HE Orthodox Metropolitan Vasilios of Constantia and Famagusta is one of the Orthodox leaders welcoming His Holiness Pope Francis to Cyprus.

By Vatican News staff reporter

One highlight of His Holiness Pope Francis' second day in Cyprus was his meeting with the Holy Synod of the Cypriot Orthodox Church at Nicosia's Orthodox Cathedral of St. Barnabas.

Speaking to Vatican Radio’s Christine Seuss as the community prepared to welcome His Holiness Pope Francis to the country, HE Metropolitan Vasilios of Constantia and Famagusta said that for the Orthodox Church in Cyprus, dialogue with the Catholic Church is of utmost importance.

Adding that the Pope’s presence and his words in this occasion represent an important step forward in the journey to full unity, the Metropolitan highlighted the crucial role of Christian unity in a world that is facing many challenges.

“We have not to isolate ourselves from each other. It is also a very important act not to be isolated, but to live fraternity as Christians.”

He notes that if the Primate of the Orthodox Church visits an Orthodox Church the main act is the participation in the Eucharistic service. And this is what is missing now, as the Pope comes to Cyprus: “we are not able to share the Holy Eucharist. But this hopefully will be a step to which we are looking for.”

Otherwise, he added, a unity made only of social meetings and an exchange of visits is not complete.

“This is our hope and we have to work hard to get to this point because the unity of the Christians in the world today is very important, not only to give the message of the faith but also to face many, many social issues, (..) for example the pandemic, the problem of the refugees, the secularization of society,” he said.

Christian solidarity drives ecumenical dialogue

He expressed his belief that it is important not to be introspective, but to show the world that “this is the message of the gospel, so we hope and we are very sure that this message will be given by the Pope as he visits Cyprus …

This interview was originally published on Vatican News website. Please click here to read the full text and to listen to the interview.