Patriarch Accepts Pope's Apology

Christus Resurrexit! Alleluia



From Patriarch accepts pope's apology over Constantinople:



"Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, has accepted an apology from Pope John Paul II for Roman Catholic involvement in the sacking of Constantinople 800 years ago.



During a visit to Greece in 2001, John Paul apologized for the attack on the city, today's Istanbul, which was looted by Catholic Crusaders. The apology had long been sought by Orthodox.



In a speech Tuesday - the 800th anniversary of the city's capture - Bartholomew formally accepted the apology.



'The spirit of reconciliation is stronger than hatred,' Bartholomew said during a liturgy, attended by Philippe Barbarin, the Archbishop of Lyon, France. 'We receive with gratitude and respect your cordial gesture for the tragic events of the Fourth Crusade.' "