Pope Francis said he hopes and prays that these reflections "may help us to continue the journey towards full communion, towards the shared celebration of the Holy Eucharist." Turning his attention to the Churches of the Middle East, Pope Francis recalled those that have "suffered terribly as a result of war, violence and persecution." The International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, was established in January 2003, by a joint initiative of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and the authorities of the Coptic Orthodox Church; the Syriac Orthodox Church; the Armenian Apostolic Church, represented by the two Catholicossates of Etchmiadzin and Cilicia, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church; the Eritrean Orthodox Church; and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Read the full text of Pope Francis' address HERETo learn more about the dialogue with the Oriental Orthodox Churches, click HERE. Tags: Coptic Martyrs, Orthodox, Oriental, Orthodox, Churches, Pope Francis

Source: Ethiopian News February 01, 2019 21:00 UTC