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States Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew in his sermon prior to the
consecration of San Nicholas Cathedral
• Awards Fidel Castro with the Order of Saint
Andrew, the highest distinction of his Patriarchy
•
In return, the Cuban president presents him
with the keys of the cathedral and the deeds
affording him legal right to this
institution
BY NIDIA DIAZ —Granma daily staff
writer—
A message of love to the world, a
reiteration of the right to equality, against war
and the impositions of the most powerful, were
included in the sermon delivered by the Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew during the consecration of
San Nicholas Cathedral, in which he also stressed
that "the blockade of peoples and countries is a
historical error," a reiteration of his views in
that context expressed on Saturday at the
inauguration of the Eros-Athlos-Hero exhibition by
Greek artist and architect Dimitris Talaganis.
President Fidel Castro was present
during the event. Prior to the ceremony, they
visited the San Salvador de Santa Brigida convent
– inaugurated last year in the presence of the
Cuban president – where he was affectionately
received by the nuns working there.
Fidel also laid a wreath at the
statue of Mother Teresa of Calcutta in the garden
named after her at the side of the San Francisco
de Assis Minor Basilica in Old Havana.
In front of the entrance to San
Nicolas Cathedral, Patriarch Bartholomew and Fidel
shook hands in greeting, and after the religious
dignitaries had walked three times around the
ecclesiastical site, it was the Cuban president’s
turn to present the Patriarch with the keys to the
building and the deeds accrediting him legal
rights to the new church, signed by Cuban Justice
Minister Roberto Díaz Sotolongo.
Straight away, the distinguished
visitor presented Fidel with the Sacred Cross of
the Order of St. Andrew, "as a blessing and a
symbol of justice and determination." The Order is
the highest distinction awarded by the Patriarch,
and takes the name of the Apostle who founded the
Byzantine church 2,000 years ago.
Prior to this, Eusebio Leal, City of
Havana historian, informed Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew that the site presented to him on
Sunday was a "symbol of friendship from the Cuban
people to him and his church", and also
acknowledged all those who had played a part in
its construction and made that dream possible. He
also expressed his gratitude "for this visit, your
words, your noble and warm gestures and fraternal
support for the Cuban nation and its
president."
In his sermon, the Ecumenical
Patriarch thanked the President of the Council of
State and Ministers for the cathedral’s
construction and for his acknowledgement of the
Greek Orthodox Church.
He assured those present that his
church had not come to Cuba with arrogance or
pride but to firmly advocate that blockading
peoples and countries from the general society of
the peoples of the Earth is an historical error
and that problems between peoples and countries
should be resolved through dialogue and
communication.
Likewise, he called attention to the
current international situation, one he affirmed
was characterized by post-war insecurity,
terrorism, inequality and the imposition of
harsher laws, attesting that his message spoke of
the right to freedom and equality.
The consecration of the cathedral
signified the end of an intensive program of
activities by the Patriarch of Constantinople that
began on January 21 and included a visit on
Saturday to the William Soler Children’s Hospital
and a tour of the Solidaridad con Panamá School.
CONCERT OF CUBAN AND BYZANTINE
MUSIC
Patriarch Bartholomew affirmed that
Cuban music is a precious treasure and an
inseparable part of it national culture.
After enjoying a beautiful gala in
the National Theater on the third day of his
official visit, he stated that Cuba should
maintain its beautiful musical tradition that has
been transmitted from generation to
generation.
He commented that personally he
greatly appreciated all peoples’ traditional music
as a part of their identity, a sign of their
culture and customs.
He added that given the importance
of traditional and national music and its
cultivation and diffusion, so-called Byzantine
music constitutes a divine art.
"You have given us your musical art
with all your love. In exchange we have offered
you a sample of ours, likewise with much love,"
the Patriarch affirmed.
GREEK AND CUBAN CULTURES
In the context of the visit of His
Holiness Bartholomew, a joint performance of the
most genuine of Cuban art and that of the Greek
Republic was staged in Havana.
Genuine liturgical, contemporary,
African-Cuban syncretic works and those rooted in
the purest tradition were interpreted by Ars
Longa, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Míriam Ramos,
the Exaudi choir, Bellita y su Jazz-Tumbatá, the
Folkloric Ensemble and Pancho Amat, and the
Cabildo del son.
The gala was further enriched with a
brilliant performance by the Agios Ioannis choir
of Byzantine music and the Salonica Municipality
Musical Group. (Granma) January, 26 2004
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