Rome, September 16, 2025
vaticannews.va
Hierarchical and clerical representatives from at least nine Orthodox Churches attended Pope Leo’s ecumenist service dedicated to the Commemoration of Martyrs and Witnesses of the Faith in the 21st Century, held at the papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls on Sunday, September 14.
The event was broadcast by Vatican News:
The service featured hymns, readings, and prayers led by Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Oriental representatives, including several female Protestant pastors.
The first Orthodox cleric at the mic was Archbishop Ilia of Helsinki and All Finland of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, who offered a short prayer:
Let us remember those who facing death, placed their trust in God alone, proving their faith in resurrection and those who, embracing Christian faith, were killed because of their Baptism. Let us also remember with them the witness of the Gospel of all denominations, catechists, and missionaries, whose lives were cut short for having led others to love the Lord Jesus. This is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Metropolitan Ignatius of France and Western and Southern Europe of the Antiochian Patriarchate later led a prayer:
Blessed are the meek. Let us remember those Christians who refused violence at the cost of their lives, praying for their enemies, responding to evil with good in situations of widespread violence, ethnic conflict, and civil war or war between nations. They shall inherit the earth.
And Metropolitan Silouan of the British Isles and Ireland, also of the Antiochian Patriarchate:
Blessed are the pure in heart. Let us remember to the Lord the Christians killed in the name of theocratic and totalitarian agendas, struck down by terrorists acts during Sunday worship or while gathered in prayer. With them, let us remember those who opposed corruption by rejecting the idolatry of money at the cost of their lives. They shall see God.
Metropolitan Porphyrios of Naples from the Church of Cyprus:
That our justice may conform to God’s mercy, capable of awakening repentance in every person and of offering forgiveness and redemption to every sinner. That we may learn to love our enemies, let us pray.
Fr. Elisias Goulas from the Church of Greece:
That the Lord may sustain those who are tired, tortured, and harassed, and that His Spirit may grant consolation and strength to those who are under duress, that the Paschal light may envelop and uplift them, let us pray.
Abp. Ilia of Helsinki led a second prayer:
Brothers and sisters, we are one family in Christ, encouraged to live the same faith, the same charity, and the same hope in the martyrs, witnesses of faith, yesterday and today.
The last prayer to be offered was the Our Father, which everyone present said together, each in his own tongue.
Throughout the service, candles were lit and placed at the foot of a crucifix. From among the Orthodox hierarchs, Bishop Ilarion of Novo Brdo of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Bishop Andrzej of Supraśl of the Polish Orthodox Church.
Several other Orthodox hierarchs and clergy were also present, including Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, and Metropolitan Joseph of Western and Southern Europe of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
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