Η δήλωση του Πάππα Ιωάννη Παύλου ΙΙ για την Ελληνικότητα των Θεσσαλονικέων Αγίων Κύριλλου και Μεθόδιου

Απο τον επίσημο Ιστότοπο του Βατικανού:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_30121980_egregiae-virtutis_it.html

 

 

LETTERA APOSTOLICA
EGREGIAE VIRTUTIS
DEL SOMMO PONTEFICE
GIOVANNI PAOLO II

Cirillo e Metodio, fratelli, greci, nativi di Tessalonica, la città dove visse e operò san Paolo, fin dall’inizio della loro vocazione, entrarono in stretti rapporti culturali e spirituali con la Chiesa patriarcale di Costantinopoli, allora fiorente per cultura e attività missionaria alla cui alta scuola essi si formarono (cfr. «Costantinus et Methodius Thessalonicenses, Fontes»). Entrambi avevano scelto lo stato religioso unendo i doveri della vocazione religiosa con il servizio missionario, di cui diedero una prima testimonianza recandosi ad evangelizzare i Cazari della Crimea.

Στα Αγγλικά.

 Illustrious figures of Saints Cyril and Methodius are again the thoughts and hearts this year in which use two particularly significant centenarians. Is indeed being hundred of years after publication of the great Munus encyclical letter of 30 September 1880, with which great Pope Leo XIII said throughout the Church figures and the Apostolic activities of these two Saints, and at the time, it introduced the liturgical feast in the calendar of the Catholic Church (Leonis XIII ‘ACTA’, vol.) II, pp. (125-137). Also used the centenary XI of the letter ‘Industriae tuae’ (cf.) Magna Moraviae Fontes Historici, t. III, Brno 1969, pp. (197-208), sent by my predecessor John VIII Prince Svatopluk in June of the 880, year in which was praised and recommended the use of the Slavic language in the liturgy, so that ‘ in that language had reinstated the praise and works of Christ our Lord ‘ (cf.) (Magna Moraviae Fontes Historici, t. III, Brno 1969 p. 207).

Cyril and Methodius, brothers, Greek, native of Thessaloniki, the city where he lived and ran St. Paul, since from the beginning of their vocation, cultural and spiritual ties with the Church patriarchal of Constantinople, then flourishing culture and missionary activity with its high school they entered it formed (cf.) (‘Motets et Methodius Thessalonicenses, Fontes’). Both had chosen the religious status combining duties of the religious vocation with the missionary, service in gave testimony before visiting to evangelise the Khazars in the Crimea.
Their pre-eminent operates evangelizzatrice was, however, the Mission in the Great Moravia between peoples, which then lived the Balkan peninsula and the land travelled from the Danube; it was taken at the request of the Prince of Moravia Roscislaw, submitted to the Emperor and the Church of Constantinople. To match the needs of their service Apostolic amid Slavs peoples tradussero in their own language books sacred liturgical and catechetico, laying the foundations of whole literature in the languages of the same with this people. Rightly so they are considered not only the Slavs Apostles but the fathers of culture among all these peoples and all these Nations, for which the first Slavic language written not cease to be the key point of reference in the history of their literature.

Cyril and Methodius played their missionary service in Union with the Church of Constantinople, from which had been sent, and with the Roman of Peter, which were confirmed, demonstrating the unity of the Church during the period of their lives and their activities was not affected by the misfortune of the division between East and West, despite the serious tensions, so that, in that time, segnarono relations between Rome and Constantinople.
Rome Cyril and Methodius were accepted with honour by the Pope and the Church Roman and found approval and support for all their apostolic work and also for their innovation to celebrate the liturgy in the Slavic, language opposed in some Western circles. In Rome concluded his life (14 February 869) Cyril and was buried in the Church of san Clemente, while Methodius was by the Pope ordered Archbishop of the ancient seat of Sirmium and was sent in Moravia to continue his providential Apostolic, work continued with zeal and together with his disciples and among his people courage up until his life (885 April 6).
2 Hundred years ago Pope Leo XIII with the ‘great Munus’ reminded encyclical throughout the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius merits overtime for their work of evangelisation of the Slavs. However, given that in this year the church reminds solemnly 1500 anniversary of the birth of Saint Benedict, proclaimed in 1964 by my venerable predecessor, Pope Paul VI, patron of Europe, was that this protection in respect of the whole of Europe will be better into prominence, if the great work of the Holy Patriarch ‘ West add the particular merits of the two brothers Holy, Cyril and Methodius. In favour of this there are many historical reasons, to the passed as that have the guarantee of contemporary, both theological and Church, as well cultural history of our European continent. And therefore before that you close this year dedicated to the particular memory of Saint Benedict, I would like that for the centenary of the Encyclical leoniana, you use all these reasons, using the this proclamation of the Saints Cyril and Methodius to compatroni in Europe.
3. Europe, as a whole geographical is like result of the action of two current Christian traditions which you add two different, but at the time deeply complementary, forms of culture. San Benedetto, which with its influence has embraced not only Europe, first of all Western and Central, but by the Benedictine centres arrived in other continents, at the Centre of the current that part from Rome, from the place of the successors of St. Peter. Holy brothers from Thessaloniki shall first highlight the contribution of the ancient Greek culture and, subsequently, the scope of the irradiation of the Church of Constantinople and the Eastern tradition which is so deeply entered in the spirituality and the culture of many peoples and Nations in the eastern part of the European continent.
Because today, after centuries of Division of the Church between East and West, between Rome and Constantinople from the Second Vatican Council have been taken decisive steps in the direction of full communion, it seems that the proclamation of Saints Cyril and Methodius to compatroni in Europe, next to Saint Benedict, fully corresponds to the signs of our times. Especially if it happens in the year in which the two churches, Catholic and Orthodox, are entered at the stage of a decisive dialogue, which began on the island of Patmos, linked to the tradition of St John Apostle and evangelist. Therefore this Act intends to make also memorable that date.
This proclamation equal time wants to be a witness for the men of our time, the primacy of the announcement of the Gospel, given by Jesus Christ to the churches, for which the two brothers Apostles of the Slavs have struggled. This announcement was developing and tool of mutual understanding and Union among the different peoples of the emerging, Europe and assured the Europe of today a common spiritual and cultural heritage.
4 Auspico, therefore, that work of the mercy of the most Holy Trinity, for the intercession of the mother of God and all saints, disappears what that divides the churches as well the peoples and Nations; and the diversity of traditions and culture show instead mutual completion of a common wealth.
That awareness of this spiritual wealth, become on different roads heritage of individual companies of the continent of Europe, help concurrent to persevere in mutual respect of the rights of every nation and in peace, just not ceasing required good services to generations of humanity and the future of mankind throughout the Earth.
Therefore, with secure knowledge and my mature deliberation in the fullness of the Apostolic, pursuant to this letter and perpetual parental responsibility is and declare heavenly compatroni throughout Europe at God Saints Cyril and Methodius, also giving all the honours and liturgical privileges that compete, second the right to the main places patrons.
Peace to the people of goodwill!
Given in Rome, at St. Peter, under the ‘ring of the fisherman’, day 31 of the month of December of the year 1980, third pontificate.

JOHN PAUL II

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