Moscow Visits Rome

Wednesday, November 13, 2013 -- Moscow Visits Rome by Robert Moynihan "Two Romes have fallen, the third stands firm  —  a fourth there will not be."—Attributed to the Russian Orthodox monk, Filofei, in about 1515 A.D. Filofei, Abbott of a monastery near Pskov, Russia, developed an explanation of this "message," and submitted it to the Grand Prince of Moscow, Vasilii III (for the complete text of this explanation, see below). Filofei argued that Rome, the original seat of Christianity, had fallen because of corruption and heresy. Constantinople had been given over to the infidel Turks in 1453 because its people had failed to practice true Christianity. Moscow, having succeeded Kiev as the center of Russian Orthodoxy, was therefore the logical successor to the first two "Romes" as the center of true Christianity. Filofei further argued that no fourth "Rome" would ever arise, thus Moscow must carry on the true Christian faith, and the Grand Prince of Muscovy must take on the role of Defender of the Faith. An Historic Meeting Pope Francis this afternoon in Rome received Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is increasingly positioning himself as a defender of the embattled Christians of the Middle East, for about 35 minutes of private talks in the Apostolic Palace. Two main points were at the center of the talks, according to a Vatican press communique released after the meeting: the situation of the Catholic Church in Russia, and the grave situation of civil war in Syria. Here is the official Vatican communique on the meeting. Communique of the Holy See Press Office: Audience of the Holy Father Granted to the President of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Mr. Vladimir Putin In the afternoon of Monday 25 November 2013, the President of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Mr. Vladimir Putin, was received in audience by the Holy Father Francis. Mr. Putin subsequently went on to meet with the Secretary of State, Archbishop Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied by the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti. During the cordial discussions, satisfaction was expressed for the good existing bilateral relations, and the Parties focused on various questions of common interest, especially in relation to the life of the Catholic community in Russia, revealing the fundamental contribution of Christianity in society. In this context, mention was made of the critical situation faced by Christians in some regions of the world, as well as the defence of and promotion of values regarding the dignity of the person, and the protection of human life and the family. Furthermore, special attention was paid to the pursuit of peace in the Middle East and the grave situation in Syria, with reference to which President Putin expressed thanks for the letter addressed to him by the Holy Father on the occasion of the G20 meeting in St. Petersburg. Emphasis was placed on the urgency of the need to bring an end to the violence and to ensure necessary humanitarian assistance for the population, as well as to promote concrete initiatives for a peaceful solution to the conflict, favouring negotiation and involving the various ethnic and religious groups, recognising their essential role in society. From this communique, we know that the two men gave "special attention" to the "grave situation in Syria." Pope Francis on September 7 called for a day of prayer and fasting for peace to avoid the possible outbreak of a wider war in Syria, and a wider war has not broken out, but the situation remains violent and unsettled. Therefore, the two men placed "emphasis" on "the urgency of the need to bring an end to the violence" and "to ensure necessary humanitarian assistance for the population." The preferred means to bring about the end to violence: "negotiation" which involves "the various ethnic and religious groups" now pitted against one another in civil strife. But this was not all that happened at the meeting.