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MOSCOW (AP) _ Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II received the Vatican's new envoy to Moscow on Thursday, raising hopgs(nf a possible end to a dispute between two major branches of Christianity that has prevented Pope John Paul II from fulfilling his desire to visit to Russia. ``I would like to carry greetings from the pope to Your Holiness and convey his utmost respect,'' Archbishop Antonio Mennini told Alexy at the start of their meeting at the patriarch's official residence. Alexy said he hoped Mennini's presence would help mend ties. ``Now the two churches' relations leave a lot to be desired,''...

IN IRAQ THE HOME OF PATRIARCH ABRAHAM BEING EXCAVATED BAGHDAD, October 11, 2002. /from RIA Novosti correspondent Pavel Davydov/. - The Department of Antiquities of Iraq is starting a second stage of excavations of the home of prophet Abraham in the town of Ur /380 km to the south of Baghdad./ The town, known as the biblical Ur of the Chaldees, dates back to the remotest antiquities. In the time of Abraham, it held the leading position among other cities. In the time of Ur-Engur and Dungy-Ur the town covered the territory stretching from Persia and the Mediterranean sea and...

ROME, Sep 18, 02 (CWNews.com) -- Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexei II has renewed his harsh accusations against the Vatican and the Catholic Church, in an interview published by the Italian weekly Famiglia Cristiana. The Russian prelate speaks of the "expansionist strategy" of the Holy See in traditionally Orthodox countries, and says that ecumenical progress cannot take place until the Vatican shows "greater respect" for the Moscow patriarchate. "If the Catholic Church still thinks of the Russian Orthodox Church as a 'sister church,' in accordance with the spirit of Vatican II, why does it act as if there is no other...

Patriarch Celebrates Divine Liturgy in Ravenna; Plans to Sign Declaration with Pope VATICAN CITY, JUNE 9, 2002 (ZENIT.org).- A step toward full unity between Catholics and Orthodox was taken when, for the first time in a millennium, a patriarch of Constantinople celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine basilica of Ravenna. John Paul II, at the Vatican, applauded today´s event, which he said helps "encourage us to continue on the road toward full unity between the Christian East and West." For the first time since the schism of 1054, an Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople celebrated the Divine Liturgy in...