DELEGATION FROM ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE OF SERBIA IN ROME

VATICAN CITY, FEB 3, 2003 (VIS) - A delegation from the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Serbia starts a six-day visit to the Vatican today. Members include His Eminence Amfilohije, metropolitan of Crna Gora and Primorje, Bishop Irinej of Backa, Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac-Valjevo, Fr. Vladan Perisic, dean of the theology faculty and Archimandrite Andrej Cilerdzic, secretary of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Belgrade. The delegation is staying at the Vatican's St. Martha Residence, as guests of the Holy See.

Members will meet with officials of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the Secretariat of State, and officials of other dicasteries of the Roman Curia. Also on the agenda are talks with the vice president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, the rectors of the Pontifical Gregorian University and Pontifical Salesian Athenaeum and the director of Vatican Radio. They will be received by Pope John Paul on Thursday, February 6.

According to the communique published by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity that announced this visit, the delegates will be welcomed by Cardinal Kasper at a dinner on February 4. Also in attendance will be a number of cardinals and other officials of the Holy See, including Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for General Affairs, and the prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches.

The visit will start with a prayer in St. Peter's Basilica. Ensuing days will include a meeting with Cardinal Jorge Mejia, librarian of Holy Roman Church, and visits to the Roman basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Clement, the Colosseum, Aventine Hill, and the Abbey of the Three Fountains. Vespers will be celebrated at St. Mary's in Trastevere. The delegation will participate in the liturgical celebration on February 7 that will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, at St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Sant'Egidio community.

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