The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob ...

I realize that most people here do not consider themselves to be people of faith, but I cannot let go of something I heard this morning. So, please bear with me or, if you prefer, just skip this one...

Those of us who do follow the Abrahamic traditions share much. We share a faith in the one true God, the Creator of all that is seen and unseen. We believe He has revealed His will to us through the Prophets. We have much in common. More, I believe, than our differences.

The leader of my Church, Pope Leo, recently visited the Blue Mosque (the Sultan Ahmed Mosque) in Istanbul. I have also been there. It is beautiful. It is spiritual. It is transcendent. And, while there, I prayed. Pope Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, also prayed when visiting the Blue Mosque. Pope Leo chose not to pray while there or with the Iman's at all. As a Roman Catholic, I am disappointed.

With all that is happening in the world today, he chose to focus in that moment on differences rather than similarities.

I don't want to be too critical of Pope Leo. He is new and I don't really know much about him. But in this act, to pray or not to pray in a "different" house of God, I think we can see and draw lesson. For me, I will always choose to strive for unity and understanding, not divisiveness.

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emiliya · 26-30, F

You people don't know what you are talking about.

sarabee1995 · 31-35, F

@emiliya To whom are you directing this comment?? There are many differing opinions expressed below.

KiwiBird · 36-40, F

@emiliya Not sure ewe do either.....

SchoolBelle · 61-69, F

@emiliya Nice to see another coherent and enlightening contribution from Mother Russia.

emiliya · 26-30, F

@sarabee1995 To a Christian it is Constantinople, not Istanbul. Blue Mosque stands opposite Hagia Sophia and was built to rival Hagia Sophia. Sophia was grand and though they turned it into mosque 150 years prior to construction of Blue Mosque, it remained a symbol of Christianity. Blue Mosque was an attempt to surpass it in grandeur. Turkey made Hagia Sophia into museum in 20th century. It is now mosque again. They won't allow it to function as a church. Not yesterday. Not today. Not ever. You claim to be Catholic yet don't seem to care about loss of this great Christian city, the capital of the Eastern Church.

SchoolBelle · 61-69, F

@emiliya Are you sure you don't mean Byzantium?

emiliya · 26-30, F

@SchoolBelle She calls herself Christian. We are not talking about the pagan era.

Do you have a bone to pick, woman? What is your problem with Constantinople, capital of Eastern Church? Be direct. Like a man.

SchoolBelle · 61-69, F

@emiliya So now you attack me because you don't like what I say.

How very Russian of you.

emiliya · 26-30, F

@SchoolBelle You said nothing. Are you going to say something?

emiliya · 26-30, F

@SchoolBelle What is it that you think you said?

SchoolBelle · 61-69, F

@emiliya Are you from the Moscow State School of Comedy?

emiliya · 26-30, F

@SchoolBelle I am from southern Russia. There is more to Russia than Moscow.

I think you went to no school. That is why you have nothing to say. This is all you have got. You can't comment on Constantinople. You can't talk history. What have you got?

KiwiBird · 36-40, F

@emiliya Surely the Eastern Church you talk about in Istanbul, Türkiye excludes the Eastern Catholic Church. I thought this was moreso a Catholic orientated discussion. You seem to have twisted it. But then that's what russian's tend to do.

SchoolBelle · 61-69, F

@emiliya Look, love, I know you're young and the world may seem a very frightening place to you. But don't worry, give yourself a chance and you'll grow into it.

As far as history goes, we in the west have learned to distrust the Russian version as laden with propaganda, designed to serve a cause rather than reveal the truth. That may not apply to you personally - I don't know you enough to make a judgment - but you will be tarred with the brush of a UI unless you can prove otherwise. Unfortunate but unavoidable.

I would happily discuss any of these matters with you, in a serious manner, but only if I can be sure you are able to stop stamping your feet like a naughty four year old. I might even learn something from you, if you could present yourself with some maturity.

emiliya · 26-30, F

@SchoolBelle Is what I have said incorrect? What is the matter with you?

SchoolBelle · 61-69, F

@emiliya Ah, well, I tried.

Never mind.

emiliya · 26-30, F

@SchoolBelle You tried? What did you try?

SchoolBelle · 61-69, F

@emiliya It's ok, you don't have to make it any more obvious.

emiliya · 26-30, F

@SchoolBelle I forgot what you said prior. Make what obvious? What are you going on about?

emiliya · 26-30, F

@KiwiBird Orthodox and Catholic are brothers in Christ. Did you know this is why Pope Leo went to Constantinople? I suppose not. Blue Mosque was afterthought. He went to see Orthodox.