Study visit of young priests and monks of the Oriental Orthodox Churches

A delegation of young priests and monks from different Oriental Orthodox Churches is currently taking part in a study visit from 31 May to 6 June aimed at deepening their understanding of the Catholic Church.

Upon the invitation of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, eighteen young monks and priests nominated by the heads of their respective Churches (Coptic Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church [See of Etchmiadzin and See of Cilicia], Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Eritrean Orthodox Church, and Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church) are taking part in the initiative, coming from Egypt, Armenia, Lebanon, Syria, India, Ethiopia and Eritrea.

On Tuesday 31 May, the first day of the visit, the members of the delegation visited the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, where they were received by Cardinal Koch, President, as well as the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. At the end of the day, the delegation visited the Pontifical Armenian College and the Abbey of Sant’Anselm, where they met the Prior and representatives of the Pontifical Atheneum.

In the following days, the delegation will visit dicasteries of the Roman Curia, in particular the Secretariat of State, the Congregation for Eastern Churches, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the Congregation for Catholic Education. The delegation will also visit different educational institutions, including the Pontifical Lateran University, the Pontifical Gregorian University, the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Pontifical Oriental Institute, the Pontifical Ethiopian College, the Pontifical Armenian College and the Pontifical Maronite College.

On Friday 3 June the group will be received in a private audience with the Holy Father.

The first study visit of young priests and monks of the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place from 15‒22 February 2020.

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