Part of the relics of St. Valentine of Interam presented to the Russian Orthodox Church
21.02.2003 · English
PART OF THE RELICS OF ST. VALENTINE OF INTERAM PRESENTED TO THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia received a delegation from the Roman Catholic diocese of Terni, Italy, at his working residence in Chisty Pereulok, on January 15, 2003.
During the meeting, a part of the relics of the Holy Martyr Valentine of Interam was presented to the Russian Orthodox Church. Participating in the ceremony were Bishop of Terni Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, General Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese Monsignor Antonio Magnero, Terni Vice-Mayor Eros Brega, Terni Province President Bruno Semproni and other members of the Italian delegation.
The suggestion by Bishop Vincenzo Paglia that a part of the relics of St. Valentine, who died in the 3rd century A.D. and is the heavenly patron of Terni, be presented to the Russian Orthodox Church followed after a meeting between Patriarch Alexy with the leaders of the Community of St. Egidio, a Catholic peace-making organization, whose spiritual leader is Monsignor Paglia, in July 2001.
Addressing the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Monsignor Paglia expressed hope that the gift would contribute to the reinforcement of cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Terni diocese. He called symbolic the fact that a part of the relics was being presented on the commemoration day of St. Serafim of Sarov, whose 100th anniversary of the glorification the Russian Orthodox Church was to celebrate in this new year.
Thanking Bishop Paglia, His Holiness the Patriarch stressed that the shrine with the relics of St. Valentine was to be placed in Christ the Savior Cathedral and every believer would have an opportunity to pray to this sacred object of the ancient undivided Christian Church.
“The 20th century was a period of ordeals for the Russian Orthodox Church,” His Holiness the Patriarch said. “It is with hope that we offer up our prayers to the martyrs of the first centuries of Christianity who witnessed before the heathen world to the Savior staying faithful to Him “unto death”. The history of the Church goes on. In our time, many thousands of the Russian New Martyrs and Confessors joined the host of saints. Like centuries ago, the blood of martyrs continues to establish and strengthen the Church of Christ,” he said.
His Holiness the Patriarch once again expressed the concern of the Russian Orthodox faithful over the desire of the Vatican to artificially elevate its structures in Russia and over the Catholic proselytism among the traditionally Orthodox population.
At the same time, His Holiness expressed hope that the problems which have arisen between the two Churches would be resolved what would help to improve the relations. He stressed that the Russian Orthodox Church continued to maintain good relations with many Roman Catholic bishop’s conferences, dioceses, monasteries, parishes and other institutions.
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