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Catholics and Orthodoxs celebrate together at the Cathedral
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June 29th, 2009 is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. At the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento, California the Celebration of Solemn Vespers was held in honor of these two leaders of the early Church. Vespers is the Latin name for evening prayer. What made this service differ from other events at the Cathedral was who participated. Presiding over the service was the Most Reverend James Soto, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. The homilist was His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco. This is only the second time such an event like this has occurred in this area.
Historcally, the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church have been at odds with each other for several centuries. Known as the Great Schism, the Greek-speaking Eastern Church split from the Latin-speaking Western Church. This began in 1054, when the Patriarch of Contantinople refused to recognize the primacy of the bishop of Rome, the Pope. Attempts inhealing the breach have failed. Then, in 1965, the Pope and the Patriarch began to try to find a way towards reunification. They have met with one another on the feast of St. Andrew (November 30th) or the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul (June 29th).
Most of the prayers at tonight's vespers were sung. The Cathedral Choir, conducted by Dr. Robert Johnson, and with Mrs. Lola Krist serving as cantor, performed most of the music. Playing the organ was Mr. Scott Nelson. Singing the Magnificat was Mr. John Micheal Boyer, Protopsaltis (First Cantor) of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco.
Bishop Soto gave the blessing and dismissal at the end of the service. Then he introduced Metropolitan Gerasimos. The bishop stated that he was honored that the metropolitan had come to the Cathedral this evening. In turn, the metropolitan was honored to be invited to this occassion.
In his homily, Metropolitan Gerasimos focused on the need for unity between the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches. His Eminence spoke about how both communites should work for "the health and well-being of Christian families". Abortion, gay marriage and the recession are issues that are challanging our families today. The churches need to come together and support parents in devoloping good Christian families.
After the service, ther was a reception in the Cathedral Hall. This gave those who attended to meet with Bishop Soto and Metropolitan Gerasimos.
