Papàs Antonio Calisi: New Byzantine Catholic Priest Ordained to Serve Bari's Greek-Catholic Community
La versione originale del seguente è stata pubblica su "In Città Giovinazzo" al seguente link "https://www.incittagiovinazzo.it/2025/03/03/ieri-a-lungro-ordinazione-del-presbitero-antonio-calisi/"
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| Papàs Antonio Calisi |
The newly ordained Father Calisi completed his formative journey within the rich spirituality of the Byzantine Rite, that liturgical tradition which has preserved for centuries the religious heritage of the Arbëreshë communities present in Calabria, Basilicata, and Sicily. The Eparchy of Lungro, currently led by His Excellency Most Rev. Mons. Donato Oliverio, represents the beating heart of Eastern Catholicism in southern Italy.
Father Antonio's formation developed through a path that embraced not only traditional theological studies but also the deepening of Eastern spirituality, liturgical language, and the pastoral specificities of Byzantine Rite communities.
Ordination according to the Byzantine Rite presents distinctive characteristics compared to the Latin tradition. The ordination liturgy, rich in symbolism and ancient prayers, reflects the profound Eastern theology of priesthood, seen as participation in the ministry of Christ the High Priest through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
The Arbëreshë communities, which have preserved for over five hundred years the language, traditions, and religious rite of their Albanian ancestors, welcome each new priestly ordination with particular emotion, considering it a guarantee of continuity for their precious spiritual and cultural heritage.
Father Calisi will collaborate at the Church of St. John Chrysostom in Bari with the Parochial Administrator Father Giampiero Vaccaro.
Father Vaccaro, pastor of the parish of St. Constantine the Great in San Costantino Albanese (province of Potenza), assumed the role of Parochial Administrator of the Bari community in September 2024, following the passing of Father Antonio Magnocavallo. His pastoral guidance represents an element of continuity for the parish, which distinguishes itself from the traditional Arbëreshë communities of the Eparchy of Lungro through its own liturgical and cultural specificities.
The parish of St. John Chrysostom, canonically assigned to the Eparchy of Lungro, celebrates the Divine Liturgy in Greek, positioning itself within a context of Greek-Catholic Byzantinism that welcomes faithful from diverse backgrounds. The community represents a spiritual reference point for Byzantine Rite Greek citizens and for people who also relate to the Armenian tradition, in harmony with the universal character of the Catholic-Byzantine tradition, which embraces all those who wish to dedicate themselves to prayer, contemplation, and participation in Eastern liturgies. This collaboration was established to ensure pastoral continuity while also valorizing the competencies of the newly ordained priest, called to serve a community that celebrates in Greek and welcomes faithful from various Eastern spiritual traditions.
Father Calisi's ordination comes at a particular moment for the Eastern Rite Catholic Church, called to play an increasingly significant role in ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox. Byzantine Catholic communities represent a natural bridge between the two Christian traditions, sharing with Orthodoxy the Eastern rite and spirituality, and with Rome the ecclesial communion.
The community of the Eparchy of Lungro welcomes with joy the ordination of Father Antonio Calisi, expressing gratitude for his availability for priestly service. His ordination constitutes a sign of vitality for the Eastern Catholic Churches, testimony to an ancient tradition that continues to offer its spiritual contribution to the Italian ecclesial fabric. As the ancient Byzantine melodies resounded yesterday during the ordination ceremony, the community gathered in prayer for the new presbyter, entrusting to his ministry the guardianship and transmission of a millennial spiritual heritage.
