The Feast of the Three Hierarchs at the Ecumenical Patriarchate
On Wednesday, January 30, 2013, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy in commemoration of the Feast of the Three Hierarchs: Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostom. Following the Divine Liturgy, reception was held at the Patriarchal Hall. Photos: by Nikolaos […]
Ecumenical Patriarch expressed a paternal message of condolence and compassion for the victims of the tragedy in Newton,Connecticut
PERSONAL MESSAGE OF COMPASSION On the Tragic Events at Sandy Hook Elementary School Newtown, Connecticut From His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Sunday, December 16, 2012) Today, during the Divine Liturgy our heart and attention were directed in thought and prayer for those who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Connecticut, USA, especially […]
Orthodox Leader Deepens Progressive Stance on Environment
At a conference near Istanbul last June, the chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall spoke about the endangered habitat of what she called “our closest relatives.” Underlining the evolutionary link, she described her encounter with a senior male ape who had a “beautiful white beard.” With a smile, she turned to the 72-year-old man in the front […]
The Patriarch is Ecumenical
It is sometimes very difficult to understand why Turkey refrains from reforms in various fields. In the past, we used to think that Turkey was lagging behind in reforms because of the attitudes of the Kemalist elites. However, in this Turkey of 2012, where non-Kemalist actors almost completely dominate the political scene, more persuasive answers […]
Address by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches
Beloved friends in the Lord, We are sincerely delighted to be here with you as grateful benefciaries of the generous hospitality of the historical Church of Crete. It is through the “fair havens” (the Kaloi Loimenes) of this apostolic island that St. Paul, the great “apostle to the gentiles,” sailed on his way to Rome on his 4th […]
Ecumenical Patriarchate Purchases 8th Century Church in Bursa
The world’s reputedly third oldest church, the Byzantine Başmelekler Church, or Taksiyarhon Church, was purchased by the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Sept. 10, Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa, has announced. The Başmelekler Church, built in 789 by Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogennetos, is located in the Trilye region of the Marmara province of Bursa. The church was put […]
Communiqué on the resurgence of Violence spreading throughout the World
The Ecumenical Patriarchate expresses profound concern about the resurgence of violence currently spreading throughout the world. From America to Africa and throughout Europe and Asia, continents are confronted with the phenomenon of intolerance that not only undermines world stability and peace, but also constitutes a denial of human dignity. Racial murders, genocide, ethnic cleansing, anti-semitism, […]
Communiqué for Respect of Religious Differences and Cessation of Violence
The Ecumenical Patriarchate expresses profound sorrow as the world has rushed into a confusing and volatile time of religious protests turning violent, and a grievous lack of consideration for religious differences. When we act disrespectfully and violently in the name of our religious prejudices or our religious beliefs we are undermining our own lives and […]
Consecration of Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonion (Cydoniae) at the Ecumenical Patriarchate
On Sunday, November 18, 2012, His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch presided at the Divine Liturgy with eight Hierarchs (from the Churches of Constantinople and Greece) concelebrating at the Patriarchal Church of St. George for the consecration of the newly-elected Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonion, who formerly served as Grand Archimandrite at the Ecumenical Patriarchate. His Beatitude […]
The Real Environmental Crisis. Lessons from the Green Patriarch
Earlier this month, His All Holiness Bartholomew, the Patriarch of 300 million Eastern Orthodox Christians, convened a two-day conversation on “environment, ethics and innovation.” We gathered on the tiny, ancient island of Heybeliada off Istanbul, which was once the Patriarch’s Constantinople and before that New Rome. There were scientists there, and activists, and religious thinkers. […]