Statement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the attacks in Sri Lanka

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expresses his horror at the terrorist attacks that took place on the day of Western Easter celebrations in churches and hotels in the greater area of the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, causing death to dozens of our fellow human beings and injuring hundreds. His All-Holiness unambiguously condemns all acts of terror, […]

2014 Thronal Feast: Visit of Pope Francis to the Phanar

Pope Francis was enthusiastically greeted with the ringing of church bells upon arrival at the Ecumenical Patriarchate today on the occasion of the celebration of St. Andrew the Apostle, patron saint of the Church of Constantinople, the Byzantine name for present-day Istanbul.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Receives Exceptional Academic Honor

On December 19, 2013, His All-Holiness received an honorary doctorate from Istanbul’s Boğaziçi University (formerly Robert College) for his extraordinary vision and initiatives for the protection of the natural environment. The award comes on the occasion of Boğaziçi University’s 150th anniversary. Not only is this Turkish institution of higher learning the first ever to be […]

Bill Clinton’s Letter to the Ecumenical Patriarch

January 7, 2013 His All Holiness Bartholomew Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch Your All Holiness: I read the outstanding article in the New York Times about your environmental advocacy, and I wanted to offer my deepest gratitude for your leadership on this important issue. Thank you for reminding people of all faiths […]

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 […]