At audience, Russian couple embodies mix of Catholic, Orthodox faiths

Published: 2004-01-21

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As Pope John Paul II focused his Jan. 21 general audience on the theme of Christian unity, one couple among the thousands of people present embodied a harmonious mixture of faiths. Marina Stepanov grew up with a Catholic father and grandmother in Russia; her husband, Peter Stepanov, is a Russian Orthodox priest. "I am Russian Orthodox, but my grandmother and father who were born in Poland were Catholic. My whole family is a mixture of Catholic and Orthodox, and we have always lived together being friendly and without fighting," said Marina Stepanov. "I want to see the day all Christians can hold Mass together and be together. My family is an example the two can be as one," she said.

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