Posted: 13.12.06 10:18. Post subject: A Key Work of J. Ratzinger's Is in Russian

ROME, DEC. 12, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Joseph Ratzinger's "Introduction to Christianity," first published in 1968, is now available for the first time in Russian.

The book includes a foreword by Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church's foreign department. The publication was co-financed by the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

Peter Humeniuk, head of ACN's section for relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, stated: "It is of utmost importance that this reference work by one of the world's most important theologians [now Benedict XVI] is now accessible to Russian readers, especially in academies and seminaries.

"It is a step toward a better understanding for the common roots of our Churches. This is also clear from the letter the Pope has sent to Metropolitan Kirill in order to thank him for his foreword."
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