"In the current war against secularism, both lungs are necessary in order to provide enough “oxygen” for the spiritual battle raging in today’s world. 

The Eastern perspective expands the arsenal of the Western Church’s theology and prayer life. So, on the one hand, breathing with both lungs reinforces the Church Militant, but it is also an invitation to broaden one’s horizon through a beautiful encounter with Christ, who is new every morning.” 

Article by:  Deacon Ken Ramsey, 3/1/2015

 The Eastern Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople has expressed a desire that Christians in the East and the West begin celebrating Easter on a “unified date” rather than adhere to separate Lenten calendars. 

“Among [the Council of Nicea’s] pivotal discussions was the matter of establishing a common time frame for the Easter festivities,” Bartholomew said. “We are optimistic, as there is goodwill and willingness on both sides.”

Pope Francis has also expressed his intent to reach an agreement to establish a common date for Easter. In 2015, the pontiff said the two churches “have to come to an agreement.”

The pontiff similarly said that disunity is a scandal and joked that Christians could say to one another: “When did Christ rise from the dead? My Christ rose today, and yours next week.”

National Catholic Register

Cardinal Slipyj can be known as the "Bridge Worker" in uniting East and West.  He worked to unite the challenges between East and West and strategically set up an independent, autocephalous jurisdiction.   

Upon his retirement years, Cardinal Slipyj commanded Metropolitan Archbishop +Amvrosij to continue the ministry as "Bridge Worker" and he founded the Institute for Eastern Christian Studies in 1976 and it continues to this day uniting the Churches.  

 Pope Francis met with the St. Irenaeus Joint Orthodox-Catholic Working Group

A gathering of Catholic and Orthodox theologians founded in 2004 to study the many challenges in the ecumenical outreach between the Churches,  Pope Francis declared: 

“Your patron, St. Irenaeus of Lyons — whom soon I will willingly declare a doctor of the Church with the title Doctor Unitatis — came from the East, exercised his episcopal ministry in the West, and was a great spiritual and theological bridge between Eastern and Western Christians.” 

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Our mission at the Institute is to dialogue in the efforts to bring unity between East and West. 

 Ut unum sint (Latin: 'That they may be one') is an encyclical by Pope John Paul II of 25 May 1995. The encyclical talks about how each Catholic should breathe with both lungs which is understanding the Church in both traditions of East and West.  

Over the last 50 years, our jurisdiction (both Catholic & Orthodox established by a Roman Cardinal specifically to unite East and West) has been working behind the scenes on uniting the Church that has been split since 1054 AD. We have extensive research and experiences of the Churches and have been living in union with both East and West so we know it is possible to unite.    

This diplomatic experience we have with both East and West inspires us to offer this information to others.  Our programs at the Institute are tailored to meet the needs and education requirements of each participant.  We are teaching our participants to become whole (breathing with both lungs) in their ministry.

We will work with seminarians, priests, religious men and women as we provide individual, group and on-line education.  We also provide lodging, transportation and formation ministry in our programs.  

If someone wants to reach their full potential in the One Body of Christ, a person has to breathe with both lungs as it requires much "oxygen."  

May God continue to bless you and inspire your heart and mind to help us unite East and West.  Jesus Christ has one body so let us work together and bring unity to the Body of Christ.  I am

Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus,

Chorbishop +Joel E. Cycenas, M. Div.

Rector