Novimus Nos
Encyclopedia
Novimus Nos is an Apostolic Letter of Pope Pius XII
to the Catholic Bishops of the Oriental Rite, whose dioceses are devastated after years of persecution. The letter commemorates the 1000th anniversary of the conversion of Saint Olga, which was the beginning of Christianity in Russia
.
As the letter was written, the Vatican
was not aware, that several of the addressees were already deported to Siberia
, and a total of five Catholic Bishops killed. The Pope describes the heroic and faithful life of this great Russian woman, Saint Olga, who led her people out of the barbarianism of her time. She faced endless problems, but was strong enough to overcome them, by trusting in God rather than humans. Her nephew Saint Vladimir continued in her spirit with the same love of Christ, and, as described in the encyclical Orientales Omnes
, he maintained unity and cordial relations with the Holy See
. Those two saints are real examples of Christian life under difficult circumstances.
Pope Pius XII congratulates the Russian people to this great historic figure Olga on her 1000th. anniversary , quoting the ancient Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero: Our fatherland is more precious than we are. The Pope continues, but the heavenly fatherland is even more precious, since it lasts for all eternity. Although the present situation is anything but promising, the Pope encourages not to lose faith, courage or unity. The quit voices of all those, who are mistreated and in chains, powerfully testify Christ Crucified. God permits ridicule, and at times waits with His reply to test and purify His faithful. But because He is just, He will surely accept the prayers of those who are persecuted because of Him. Pope Pius asks his bishops, to fully trust in the Lord, and to turn with instant prayers to the saints of the Russian people. Persecution
s will thus end and the Russian people will experience better times. In this hope, the Holy Father concludes with his Apostolic Blessings.
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
to the Catholic Bishops of the Oriental Rite, whose dioceses are devastated after years of persecution. The letter commemorates the 1000th anniversary of the conversion of Saint Olga, which was the beginning of Christianity in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
As the letter was written, the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
was not aware, that several of the addressees were already deported to Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
, and a total of five Catholic Bishops killed. The Pope describes the heroic and faithful life of this great Russian woman, Saint Olga, who led her people out of the barbarianism of her time. She faced endless problems, but was strong enough to overcome them, by trusting in God rather than humans. Her nephew Saint Vladimir continued in her spirit with the same love of Christ, and, as described in the encyclical Orientales Omnes
Orientales Omnes
Orientales omnes Ecclesiae is an encyclical of Pope Pius XII to the faithful of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. It commemorates the three hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Union of Brest....
, he maintained unity and cordial relations with the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
. Those two saints are real examples of Christian life under difficult circumstances.
Pope Pius XII congratulates the Russian people to this great historic figure Olga on her 1000th. anniversary , quoting the ancient Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero: Our fatherland is more precious than we are. The Pope continues, but the heavenly fatherland is even more precious, since it lasts for all eternity. Although the present situation is anything but promising, the Pope encourages not to lose faith, courage or unity. The quit voices of all those, who are mistreated and in chains, powerfully testify Christ Crucified. God permits ridicule, and at times waits with His reply to test and purify His faithful. But because He is just, He will surely accept the prayers of those who are persecuted because of Him. Pope Pius asks his bishops, to fully trust in the Lord, and to turn with instant prayers to the saints of the Russian people. Persecution
Persecution
Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms. The inflicting of suffering, harassment, isolation,...
s will thus end and the Russian people will experience better times. In this hope, the Holy Father concludes with his Apostolic Blessings.