Greek Metropolis of Chicago celebrating Francis of Assissi with ecumenical prayer for creation with Catholics, Protestants

Chicago, October 1, 2019
Updated 10/1/2019, 4:30 PM

Photo: http://chicago.goarch.org Photo: http://chicago.goarch.org The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, under the rule of Metropolitan Nathanael, will participate in an ecumenical prayer service “for the healing of our planet” on the Catholic feast of Francis of Assissi on Saturday, October 4.

“Friday, October 4th is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the final day of the Season of Creation. Join Christians from across Chicagoland in a service of prayer, song, and reflection for the healing of God's earth on this day at the St. James [Episcopal] Cathedral Commons in Chicago. All are welcome!” reads the invitation on the Metropolis’ website.

The Season of Creation “is an annual celebration of prayer and action to protect creation. It is celebrated by Christians of all traditions,” that runs from September 1 to October 4. September 1 was proclaimed as a day of prayer for creation by Patriarch Dimitrios I of Constantinople in 1989, which was later embraced by other Christian confessions, and October 4 is the annual Catholic feast of Francis of Assissi, who is the patron saint of those who promote ecology.

The ecumenical event in Chicago is sponsored by Ecumenism Metro Chicago (Chicagoland Christians United for the Care of Creation), the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity, and the Catholic Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph.

Ecumenism Metro Chicago “was formed in 1999 to prepare for the Third Christian Millennium. In addition to sponsoring the annual Ecumenical Prayer Service observed as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Committee is a catalyst for ecumenical courtesy, hospitality and information in the Chicago area,” and includes the following communities:

  • American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago

  • Armenian Orthodox Church – Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

  • Christian Methodist Episcopal Church – Chicago and Gary Districts

  • Church of the Brethren – Illinois and Wisconsin District

  • Church of God in Christ – First Jurisdiction Illinois

  • Episcopal Church USA – Diocese of Chicago

  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – Metropolitan Chicago Synod

  • Greek Orthodox Church – Metropolis of Chicago

  • Orthodox Church in America – Diocese of the Midwest

  • Polish National Catholic Church Western Diocese

  • Presbyterian Church (USA) – Presbytery of Chicago

  • Roman Catholic Church – Archdiocese of Chicago

  • The Salvation Army – Chicago Metropolitan Davison

  • Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada Metropolitanate of Midwestern America

  • Syriac Orthodox Church – Archdiocese of the Eastern USA

  • Ukrainian Catholic Church – St. Nicholas Eparchy

  • Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA – Western Eparchy

  • United Church of Christ – Illinois Conference

  • United Methodist Church – Northern Illinois Conference

  • Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries

Though particular dioceses of the OCA, the Serbian Church, and the Ukrainian Church (Constantinople) are members of Ecumenism Metro Chicago, their websites have no information about the event on October 4.

Patriarch Bartholomew, known as the “Green Patriarch,” also penned a statement together with the Catholic Archbishop of Sweden on the environment that was published on September 24.

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Update: At some point after this article was written, the relevant page on the Chicago Metropolis’ website was taken down. It no longer appears on the Facebook page either, though OrthoChristian was sent a screenshot from the Facebook page.

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10/1/2019

See also
“Ecumenism is an insidious satanic movement”—Met. Jeremiah of Gortyn “Ecumenism is an insidious satanic movement”—Met. Jeremiah of Gortyn “Ecumenism is an insidious satanic movement”—Met. Jeremiah of Gortyn “Ecumenism is an insidious satanic movement”—Met. Jeremiah of Gortyn
“There is an insidious satanic movement that wants to mix our true faith with false beliefs, change it, and lead us into deception,” the metropolitan warns his people. “This movement is called ‘ecumenism.’ It’s not just a heresy, it’s a malicious thinking that embraces all heresies and errors. It’s a ‘pan-heresy,’” Met. Jeremiah affirmed, echoing the words of the great 20th century Serbian theologian St. Justin Popović. Ecumenical Patriarch among world religious leaders urging believers to make friends and see God in everyone Ecumenical Patriarch among world religious leaders urging believers to make friends and see God in everyone Ecumenical Patriarch among world religious leaders urging believers to make friends and see God in everyone Ecumenical Patriarch among world religious leaders urging believers to make friends and see God in everyone
The leaders of various global religions have banded together to urge a message of peace and friendship, calling upon believers of all faiths to see God in one another. Abbot Gregory of Dochariou: Orthodox Church receives no benefit from dialogues with heterodox Abbot Gregory of Dochariou: Orthodox Church receives no benefit from dialogues with heterodox Abbot Gregory of Dochariou: Orthodox Church receives no benefit from dialogues with heterodox Abbot Gregory of Dochariou: Orthodox Church receives no benefit from dialogues with heterodox
Archimandrite Gregory (Zumis), abbot of the Dochariou Monastery on Mt. Athos, has released another article, this time devoted to topical problems of Church life, including persecutions against monks who do not accept the Crete Council, and ecumenical dialogues.

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