In the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in Istanbul, Pope Leo XIV took part in a meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Istanbul, Bartholomew I, with the recitation of a prayer known as the “Doxology.”
But what does exactly is this Christian formula of prayer? It is a profound expression of Christian praise.
The term comes from the Greek doxa (glory) and logos (word), and it literally means “the word of glory.” Although it is a short prayer, it is an important act of worship.
However, although it is a short prayer, it seems both spiritual leaders got lost somewhere along the way. Luckily, there were assistants and books to guide them back on track.
Pope Leo is the fourth pontiff to visit this temple, following in the footsteps of Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. This is not, however, the first time that Pope Leo has met with Bartholomew I. They met when the pontiff was elected this past May.
Patriach Bartholomew I spoke first, on the Lord's call towards Christian unity, emphasizing that the need is more pressing now than ever.
The Pope then delivered some words in which he again recalled the historic event, and the main reason for this trip, that occurred in the year 325—the Council of Nicaea.
POPE LEO XIV
By remembering that highly significant event and inspired by the prayer of Jesus that all his disciples may be one, we are encouraged in our commitment to seek the restoration of full communion among all Christians, a task that we undertake with God’s help.
On the eve of the celebration of the solemnity of the Apostle Saint Andrew, patron of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Catholic and Orthodox Christian Churches prayed together to show the world an example of “stability and unity.”
