More Efforts Towards Catholic-Orthodox Unity

Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople

The Eastern Orthodox expect to visit Rome this Monday:

Orthodox Delegation to Visit Rome

Will Attend Closing of Pauline Year

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 25, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I will send a delegation to Rome to celebrate the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul with Benedict XVI, and to close the Year of St. Paul.

The visit reciprocates the habitual exchange of delegations for the respective patronal feasts in which the patriarch of Constantinople sends a delegation to Rome on June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and St. Paul, and the Pope sends a delegation to Istanbul, Turkey, on Nov. 30, the feast of St. Andrew.

In November 2006, Benedict XVI led the delegation himself, and last June Bartholomew I led the Orthodox delegation to Rome, which coincided with the opening of the Pauline Jubilee Year.

The patriarch’s delegation will be let by Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, director of the Office of the Orthodox Church Before the European Union…

Also on the agenda are meetings with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and a private audience with Benedict XVI.

Unity with Rome has been a clear goal of Patriarch Bartholomew for some time (see Catholic/Orthodox: Ecumenicalism Required).

The Bible warns against a coming ecumenical Babylonian religion that is likely to call itself “Catholic”. Yet Roman domination of the Eastern Orthodox in an re-established Babylon has been the goal of certain Catholics for over 800 years. Around 1202 the Catholic Abbott Joachim prophesied:

A remarkable Pope will be seated on the pontifical throne, under special protection of the angels. Holy and full of gentleness, he shall undo all wrong, he shall recover the states of the Church, and reunite the exiled temporal powers. As the only Pastor, he shall reunite the Eastern to the Western Church…This holy Pope shall be both pastor and reformer. Through him the East and West shall be in ever lasting concord. The city of Babylon shall then be the head and guide of the world.

Rome, weakened in temporal power, shall forever preserve her spiritual dominion, and shall enjoy great peace…(Cited in Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno. Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, pp. 31-32).

Biblical prophecy states that there will be a major unifying religion that it calls “Babylon the Great” (Revelation 17:5)–but one that the Bible warns against (Revelation 18:4).

While Rome is expected to compromise on some doctrines for this to happen, the Orthodox (nor those who are part of the Church of Rome) should consider that this is a good thing.

Sadly, the stage for “unity” to form this Babylon keeps getting prepared. And the Patriarch of Constantinople seems determine to try to make it happen.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Churches of God Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The Bible warns the Orthodox against this unity as do some Catholic prophecies. The Orthodox need to heed these warnings now.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.