By Ecumenical News –
Pope Tawadros II presides over a historic Divine Liturgy at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, coinciding with Catholic celebrations marking the 1200th anniversary of the translation of the relics, and meets the Archbishop of Venice in a distinguished ecumenical encounter.
As part of the historic visit undertaken by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, to the Italian city of Venice the ancient city where the body of St. Mark the Evangelist rests St. Mark’s Basilica witnessed a major ecclesiastical and ecumenical event this morning. On May 9, His Holiness presided over a festive Divine Liturgy inside St. Mark’s Cathedral, which houses the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist, founder of the Church of Alexandria and patron saint of Venice.
This occasion carried particular spiritual and historical significance, as it marks the first time Pope Tawadros II has personally presided over a Divine Liturgy inside the Basilica, although the Coptic Orthodox Church has previously held prayers and liturgies there on earlier occasions.
The prayers were held in a deeply spiritual atmosphere, with the participation of a large number of metropolitans, bishops, and Coptic priests from around the world, in a scene carrying profound spiritual and apostolic dimensions, reflecting the historical ties between the Church of Alexandria and the Venetian Church, united by the apostolic legacy of St. Mark the Evangelist.
This visit coincides with the spiritual and ecclesiastical preparations taking place in the Catholic Church in Venice, celebrating the 1200th anniversary of the translation of the relics of St. Mark to the city—a milestone of great importance for both churches and for strengthening ecumenical relations between the Christian East and West.
Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Pope Tawadros II, accompanied by the metropolitans and bishops, proceeded to the residence of the Archbishopric of Venice, where an official ecumenical meeting was held. He was received by the Archbishop of Venice, Cardinal Francesco Moraglia, in an atmosphere marked by brotherhood, love, and mutual respect.
The meeting took place in the main hall of the Patriarchal Palace of Venice, adorned with artworks by the renowned Italian painter Tintoretto. Archbishop Moraglia expressed his joy at this historic visit, saying:
“I am happy with this meeting taking place in the most distinguished halls of the Patriarchate, surrounded by the paintings of the great Jacopo Robusti, known as Tintoretto. The true value of these works lies not only in their artistic dimension, but in their deep spiritual meaning, as they portray witness to faith and readiness to suffer and die for Christ.”
He added: “We welcome today the Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark for all Africa, in a meeting that carries a profound spiritual meaning, because St. Mark continues to connect Venice and Alexandria through bonds of faith, witness, and love.”
Archbishop Moraglia also emphasized the importance of shared Christian witness, citing the Gospel of Mark and the words of the centurion at the Cross, saying:
“We must bear witness together, as Christian Churches, that Jesus is the Son of God. Today’s world needs a true witness of faith and the united voice of the Churches in favor of peace, unity, and hope.”
For his part, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II affirmed during the ecumenical meeting:
“St. Mark unites us. He is not only the founder of the Church of Alexandria, but also a spiritual and historical bridge connecting our Churches and peoples throughout the centuries.”
He added: “The contemporary world has hidden courage between man and God; therefore, we need to restore the power of true faith and sincere witness to Christ.”
Pope Tawadros also expressed his great joy at this visit, noting the wide participation of Coptic bishops from various continents, saying:
“This is the first time such a large number of Coptic bishops have gathered outside Egypt, with fathers participating from America, Europe, Asia, and Australia in this historic occasion.”
His Holiness also reflected on the history of martyrdom in the Coptic Church, recalling the 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya who were martyred in 2015, saying:
“They are martyrs of the faith, connected to the same land from which St. Mark came, and they offered a living testimony to Christ before the entire world.”
He also spoke about Egypt as a land of faith, culture, and Christian monasticism, saying: “Egypt is a land of civilization, culture, and faith, and it is the land where monastic life was established by St. Anthony the Great. The Church life there remains alive and fruitful to this day.”
Pope Tawadros extended an official invitation to the Church of Venice to visit Egypt and the sites associated with the journey of the Holy Family, saying:
“We await you with joy in the land that welcomed the Holy Family in the first century, and in the Church founded by St. Mark the Evangelist.”
In turn, Archbishop Moraglia emphasized the importance of peace in the life of the Church and the world, stating:
“Peace is the fruit of human holiness, and it is a gift that must be preserved and pursued together, especially in times of wars and tensions that our world is experiencing today.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides exchanged commemorative gifts. The Archbishop of Venice presented Pope Tawadros with a modern publication on St. Mark’s Basilica and its spiritual and artistic history, noting that “the Basilica would not have existed without the body of the martyred Evangelist.”
He also highlighted that faith in Venice has been expressed through the centuries via art, music, and liturgical tradition, affirming that St. Mark continues to unite Venice and Alexandria in a shared spirit of Christian brotherhood and apostolic witness.
In a deeply moving ecumenical gesture, the meeting concluded with Archbishop Francesco Moraglia requesting a blessing from Pope Tawadros II, in a scene that reflected the profound spiritual closeness and ecclesial harmony between both Churches, and a shared message affirming the importance of dialogue, unity, and peace in today’s world.
This historic visit of Pope Tawadros II to Venice reaffirms that the legacy of St. Mark the Evangelist remains a living bridge between Alexandria and Venice, and between the Christian East and West, carrying a message of unity and faith that transcends time and geography. The ecumenical moments witnessed today have highlighted the depth of spiritual bonds between both Churches and renewed the call for sincere Christian dialogue rooted in love and shared witness to Christ, in a world in urgent need of peace and unity.
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