Pope Francis announced Saturday that Saint Isaac of Nineveh, a 7th-century Assyrian bishop venerated in various Christian traditions, will be included in the Roman Martyrology.
The Pontiff made this announcement within the framework of a meeting in the Vatican with Mar Awa III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East.
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The meeting, held on November 9, commemorated two milestones: almost 30 years since the signing of the Common Christological Declarationwhich ended a 1,500-year doctrinal dispute, and 40 years since the first historic meeting between a Pope and an Assyrian patriarch.
Citing the Reintegration of the Unit of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Francis stressed that both Churches share “the same faith, transmitted by the apostles,” although they express themselves differently.
The Holy Father highlighted recent achievements in Catholic-Assyrian dialogue, such as the 2001 agreement on the Anaphora of Addai and Mari, an ancient Eucharistic prayer recognized for its apostolic roots, and the 2017 joint declaration on sacramental life.
A 2022 document titled The Images of the Church in the Syriac and Latin Patristic Traditions established new bases for mutual understanding.
“Theological dialogue is indispensable on our path towards unity,” Francis stated. “The unity we long for is unity in faith,” he added, emphasizing that this dialogue must be based on truth and charity.
Pope Francis’ decision to add Saint Isaac to the Martyrology follows a recent recommendation by the Synod of Synodality to recognize saints from other Christian traditions in the Catholic liturgical calendar.
Addressing the plight of Christians in the Middle East, Pope Francis prayed for their continued witness in a region marked by conflict.
“Through the intercession of Saint Isaac of Nineveh, united with that of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ, our God and Savior, may the Christians of the Middle East always bear witness to the risen Christ in those lands devastated by war,” he said.
Saint Isaac of Nineveh, also known as Isaac the Syrian, was a highly influential Christian mystic, monk and bishop, celebrated for his profound teachings on asceticism, compassion and the inner spiritual life, deeply influencing Christian spirituality in the East and West.
Francis closed the meeting by inviting everyone present to pray the Lord’s Prayer in their own languages and traditions, highlighting the shared spiritual heritage that unites these ancient Churches.
In adding Saint Isaac of Nineveh to the Catholic Martyrology, Pope Francis noted that this is a reminder of the common roots and shared faith between both Churches, one that has endured through centuries of separation.
Originally published in CNA. Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team.
Anian Christoph Wimmer
Anian Christoph Wimmer, a multilingual Australian with Bavarian roots, is the editor-in-chief of CNA Deutsch. He held senior positions at Australia’s SBS and was editor-in-chief of the historic Münchner Kirchenzeitung. Graduated in Philosophy and Chinese Studies from the University of Melbourne, Anian Christoph Wimmer was on the jury for the Catholic Media Award of the German Bishops’ Conference and was an honorary researcher in Communications at the University of Melbourne. He has served on the Board of Directors of Caritas in Munich.