Buenos Aires, June 1, 2020
Photo: panorthodoxsynod.blogspot.com
On May 25, the traditional prayer service in honor of the 1810 May Revolution in Argentina was held at the Roman Catholic cathedral in Buenos Aires with the participation of clergy from various religions, including a hierarch of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
The ecumenical service, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, was dedicated to overcoming the coronavirus pandemic this year, reports Panorthodox Synod.
Cardinal Mario Aurelio Poli and other bishops of the Catholic church were joined at their cathedral by Metropolitan Joseph of Buenos Aires of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Pastor Wilma Rommel, Rabbi Silvina Semyon, and Mufti Abdel Nabi al-Hifnavi.
Recall that His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem recently participated in a similar service, which drew condemnation from the Department of Heresies and Cults of the Metropolis of Piraeus in Greece. The Metropolis also condemned Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago’s (GOARCH-Constantinople) participation in an ecumenical service with Catholics and Protestants.
Photo: panorthodoxsynod.blogspot.com
At the Buenos Aires service, Cardinal Poli offered a homily on the theme of the Good Samaritan, highlighting the values of solidarity, fraternal concern, and understanding.
Following a series of petitions and the reciting of the Lord’s Prayer, Met. Joseph proclaimed a blessing offered a prayer for the end of the pandemic in both Argentina and throughout the world. The service concluded with the various clergy singing the Argentinian national anthem.
The ceremony, held in an empty cathedral this year due to coronavirus quarantine measures, was broadcast live on national television and online.
Met. Joseph offers his blessing and prayer at 40:10 in the video below:
