Orthodox and interfaith leaders discussed environmental responsibility in Italy

On 16 August 2024, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Polycarpos of Italy under the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Protopresbyter Petru Filipescu, rector of the Church of Saints Minas the Great Martyr and Ephraim the New Martyr – the Wonderworkers from Sedegliano-Udine, participated in and delivered a speech at the interfaith meeting on the theme “Caring for Our Common Home.”

The event occurred as part of the international camp organised by the Florentine association Opera per la Gioventù Giorgio La Pira, at Villaggio La Vela in Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto).

Among the speakers were Hamdan Al Zeqri (Union of Islamic Communities in Italy), the Chief Rabbi of Florence Gad Piperno, and Father Bruno Bignami (National Office for Social and Labor Issues of the Italian Episcopal Conference). A delegation from the Archdiocese of Pisidia (Ecumenical Patriarchate), led by Deacon Nikita Astapov, also attended the meeting. His Excellency Gherardo Gambelli, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Florence, was also present.

In his speech, Father Petru highlighted the commitment of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and His All-Holioness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Green Patriarch, in the field of environmental protection and the Care of Creation, referencing the teachings of the Orthodox Church and citing numerous examples from the Holy Fathers.

He also shared the ecological initiatives promoted by the Orthodox Parish he leads, such as the Regenerative Community Garden (Garden of the Mother of God) and the Eco-School.

At the end of the meeting, Protopresbyter Petru answered questions from the camp participants.

Source: Metropolis of Italy