Enzo Bianchi

This article is the text of the speech delivered by Enzo Bianchi, founder of the monastic community of Bose, on the occasion of the presentation of the ecumenical prize "Saint Nicholas 2004" to Metropolitan Emilianos Timiadis of Silyvria, at the opening of the academic year of the Institute of Ecumenical Theology in Bari. In the form of a laudatory testimony, the text traces the biographical and theological journey of the Metropolitan, from his formation at Halki to his long ministry at the World Council of Churches (1959–1984), including his participation in the Second Vatican Council. The central idea is that the ecumenical commitment of Emilianos Timiadis does not stem from academic specialization, but from a deep existential disposition, nourished by patristic spirituality and a "concern for all the Churches." The article sheds concrete light on the Orthodox contribution to the ecumenical movement of the twentieth century.