ECU M E N I S M
Orthodox-Catholic FRIENDSHIP
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Pope St. Paul VI (1963-1978) being greeted by Patriarch Athenagoras, head of the Greek Orthodox Church, during his official visit to Turkey, July 28, 1967.
Bonds of brotherhood, bonds of faith BY FATHER KEVIN KENNEDY Father Kevin Kennedy is pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Russian Byzantine Catholic Church, administrator at St. MonicaSt. Thomas the Apostle Parish in San Francisco and formation adviser and spiritual director at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University.
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ccording to the New Testament (Mt 4:18-20, Mk 1:16-20), Jesus saw two fishermen, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, walking along the Sea of Galilee. He said to them, “Come, follow me.” They immediately left their nets and followed him. The Gospel of John tells the story of a different encounter. In this version two disciples of John the Baptist, Andrew and, traditionally, John, the son of Zebedee, heard John the Baptist refer to Jesus as the “Lamb of God.” These two disciples then followed Jesus and spent the day with him. Andrew, convinced that Jesus was the Christ, told his brother Simon, “We have found the Messiah.” He brought his brother to Jesus who revealed that Simon would be known as Peter (Jn 1:35-
42). Afterward, both Andrew and Simon Peter left all things to become disciples of Jesus. John the Baptist’s testimony made Andrew believe, and he then became a witness for his brother Simon. These narratives make clear that two brothers had an extraordinary encounter with Jesus that quickly and completely changed their lives. Both Andrew and Peter would become missionary apostles and martyrs. Within Byzantine Christianity, St. Andrew is referred to as “the first called.” According to Orthodox tradition, the apostolic successor of St. Andrew is the patriarch of Constantinople, just as the apostolic successor of St. Peter is the bishop of Rome. There is an ancient and beautiful icon depicting the two saints embracing each other with fraternal love. Each brother has his own personality, charism and distinct mission; nevertheless they are one in their following of the Lord. For the first 1,000 years of Christianity, the Church remained essentially united APRIL 2022 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
