Orientales Ecclesias
Encyclopedia
Orientales Ecclesias is an encyclical
of Pope Pius XII
concerning the persecution
of Oriental Churches and describing the hopeless situation of the faithful in Bulgaria
of improving relations with the oriental Churches. Pope Pius XII mentions the naming of another oriental Cardinal
, Grégoire-Pierre Agagianian, and the reform of the Eastern Canon Law
as two examples. But the most flourishing Christian communities are wiped out without trace these days. He does not know details except that many bishops and priests are deported to unknown destinations, to concentration camps and to jails, while some are under house arrest. In Bulgaria, Bishop Bossilkoff was executed with many others. The Pontiff writes this encyclical letter specifically after the arrest
, brutal treatment and martyrdom of Bishop
Eugene Bossilkov
. Bishop Eugene Bossilkov, who headed the diocese of Nicopoli
. The execution took place in Bulgaria, October 5, 1952.
But Bulgaria is not alone. Many are robbed of the most basic natural and human rights, and mistreated in the most extreme ways. The suffering in the Ukraine is immense. The Pope refers specifically to the Kiev show trial against bishops of the oriental Church. Still there is reason for comfort and hope: The strength of the faithful. The Christian faith makes better citizes, who use their God-given freedom to work for their societies to further the causes of justice and unity.
The encyclical letter is a sign of solidarity with all clergy and faithful of the united Oriental Churches, who suffer for their faith in the East. The Pope is especially proud of all those who maintain their faith and link to the Catholic Church in such difficult times and commends all those, who to continue to persevere in their faith and oppose with the same firmness as so many brave generations before them. The Pope concludes by requesting world-wide public prayers for the persecuted and, embracing all, offers his Apostolic Blessing.
Encyclical
An encyclical was originally a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient Catholic Church. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any bishop...
of Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
concerning the persecution
Persecution
Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms. The inflicting of suffering, harassment, isolation,...
of Oriental Churches and describing the hopeless situation of the faithful in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
Summary
Orientales Ecclesias reviews the efforts of the VaticanHoly See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
of improving relations with the oriental Churches. Pope Pius XII mentions the naming of another oriental Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
, Grégoire-Pierre Agagianian, and the reform of the Eastern Canon Law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
as two examples. But the most flourishing Christian communities are wiped out without trace these days. He does not know details except that many bishops and priests are deported to unknown destinations, to concentration camps and to jails, while some are under house arrest. In Bulgaria, Bishop Bossilkoff was executed with many others. The Pontiff writes this encyclical letter specifically after the arrest
Arrest
An arrest is the act of depriving a person of his or her liberty usually in relation to the purported investigation and prevention of crime and presenting into the criminal justice system or harm to oneself or others...
, brutal treatment and martyrdom of Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
Eugene Bossilkov
Eugene Bossilkov
Blessed Eugene Bossilkov , born Vincent Bossilkov , was a member of the Passionist Congregation, bishop of Nicopolis and martyr in the Communist campaign in Bulgaria against religion. He had studied in Rome for his doctorate at the Pontifical Oriental Institute and became a parish priest in the...
. Bishop Eugene Bossilkov, who headed the diocese of Nicopoli
Nicopolis ad Istrum
Nicopolis ad Istrum was a Roman and Early Byzantine town founded by Emperor Trajan around 101–106, at the junction of the Iatrus and the Rositsa rivers, in memory of his victory over the Dacians. Its ruins are located at the village of Nikyup, 20 km north of Veliko Tarnovo in northern Bulgaria...
. The execution took place in Bulgaria, October 5, 1952.
But Bulgaria is not alone. Many are robbed of the most basic natural and human rights, and mistreated in the most extreme ways. The suffering in the Ukraine is immense. The Pope refers specifically to the Kiev show trial against bishops of the oriental Church. Still there is reason for comfort and hope: The strength of the faithful. The Christian faith makes better citizes, who use their God-given freedom to work for their societies to further the causes of justice and unity.
The encyclical letter is a sign of solidarity with all clergy and faithful of the united Oriental Churches, who suffer for their faith in the East. The Pope is especially proud of all those who maintain their faith and link to the Catholic Church in such difficult times and commends all those, who to continue to persevere in their faith and oppose with the same firmness as so many brave generations before them. The Pope concludes by requesting world-wide public prayers for the persecuted and, embracing all, offers his Apostolic Blessing.
Sources
- Orientales Ecclesias, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, (AAS) Roma, Vaticano, 1953, 5 (original Latin text)
- English translation