2023-06-27 19:10:18
Preparations are underway to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the restoration of full union with the Catholic Church in Rome by the Melkite Greek Church.
Fr. Jinu Jacob, Vatican City
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Lebanon is preparing for the 300th anniversary of the restoration of full communion with the Church in Rome.
The title of the celebrations is “The Melkite Greek Catholic Church: Ecumenical Journey 1724-2024”. The celebrations include liturgical celebrations, study conferences, conferences and publications with insights into historical, theological and ecumenical character.
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church was formed in 1724 under the leadership of Kurilos VI (Seraphim Thanas), the then Patriarch of Antioch. But then Patriarch Kurylos VI of Constantinople was deposed, and another patriarch, Silvestro, was installed. Kurilos had to flee to Lebanon to avoid capture by the Sultan’s soldiers, and then the Holy See approved the valid and free election of Kurilos VI, who became the first Patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church by decree published in Propaganda Fide on 8 July 1729.
The Melkite Church follows the Byzantine Rite codified and organized by Saint John Chrysostom, and uses Arabic as the liturgical language along with Greek. The Melkite Greek Catholic Church now numbers approximately eleven hundred thousand baptized members.
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