Vatican confirms patriarch to visit Rome to receive saints' relics

Published: 2004-10-29

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Vatican officials have confirmed that Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople will visit Rome in late November -- for the second time in less than six months -- to receive from Pope John Paul II relics of Sts. John Chrysostom and Gregory Nazianzen. The patriarch, who was in Rome June 29 for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, had asked Pope John Paul for the relics of two of the greatest Eastern Fathers of the Church. An official of the Ecumenical Patriarchate told The Associated Press Oct. 28 that the Orthodox synod had decided that Patriarch Bartholomew should travel to Rome to accept the relics personally from the pope. An official at the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity confirmed Oct. 29 that preparations were under way to welcome Patriarch Bartholomew Nov. 26 and to present the relics to him Nov. 27 during a solemn ceremony.

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