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June 20, 2016

Pope offers prayers as pan-Orthodox council opens on Crete

Patriarchs attend the opening session of Great and Holy Council of the Orthodox Church in Chania on the Greek island of Crete June 20. Although intended to be the first council of all the Orthodox churches in more than a millennium, the gathering opened with the absence of representatives from four Orthodox churches.

VATICAN CITY – As the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church opened with only 10 of the 14 Orthodox churches represented, Pope Francis offered his prayers.

Published in International
June 16, 2016

Pan-Orthodox Council turns into cliffhanger over boycott threats

A pedicab with a Vatican flag passes in front of the Russian Orthodox church in Havana Feb. 7, 2016.

After a gap of over 1,200 years, including 55 years of preparation, the planned Holy and Great Council of the Eastern Orthodox churches has turned into a cliffhanger only days before it is set to open.

Published in International