Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)
Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) (1940-____)
Bartholomew may be spelt Bartholomaios, Bartholomé, Barthélémy.
Dimitrios may be spelt Demetrios, Dēmētrios, Dmitry, Dimitri, Demitru, &c.
Archontonis may be spelt Archondonis, Arhondonis.
Early life of Dimitrios Christou Archontonis
On 29 February, 1940, Dimitrios Christou Archontonis was born in Aghios Theodoros (Zeytinliköy) on Imbros Island (in the Aegean Sea, in Turkey).
Dimitrios was raised an Orthodox Christian in a family of Orthodox Christians, within the Patriarchate of Constantinople. As all Orthodox Christians who live in Turkey, there is always pressure by the Muslim against those of the Orthodox Christian Faith. His family were amongst the few Roman (the correct name of Greek-speakers of both Greece and Turkey) families who remained in Turkey after the exchange of populations in 1923.
Dimitrios received his primary education in Aghios Theodoros. Afterwards, he moved to Constantinople (Istanbul), where he received his secondary education in the Zographeion Lyceum (gymnasium, high school).
Zographeion Lyceum, Istanbul
Higher education
After completing his studies at the Lyceum, Dimitrios entered the Patriarchal Orthodox Theological School on the Island of Halki (one of the Princes Islands in the Sea of Marmora). Also called Heybeliada Island, it is not far from Constantinople (Istanbul).
He graduated from this school with the highest honours in 1961.
Halki Monastery and Theological School
Diaconal ordination, 1961
On 13 August, 1961, Dimitrios Christou Archontonis was ordained to the Holy Diaconate.
Diaconal service ; monastic tonsure, 1961
In 1961, Deacon Dimitrios Archontonis was tonsured to be a monk, and he was given the name Bartholomew.
Military service, 1961
In 1961, Hierodeacon Bartholomew (Archontonis) began his obligation of military service as a reserve officer in the Turkish Army. When he had completed the required time, he was released from the army in 1963.
Further education
In 1963, Hierodeacon Bartholomew travelled to Rome, Italy, where he enrolled in the Pontifical Oriental Institute. There, he began post-graduate studies. He continued these studies at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute in Switzerland, and at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, Germany.
He ultimately received the Doctor of Theology degree in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Hierodeacon Bartholomew remained at the Gregorian University as a lecturer.
In 1968, he was assigned to serve as Assistant Dean at the Halki Theological School.
Presbyteral ordination, 1969
On 13 October, 1969, Hierodeacon Bartholomew (Archontonis) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in the Seminary and Monastery Temple of the Halki Theological School by Metropolitan Athenagoras (Spyrou).
Presbyteral service
Hieromonk Bartholomew (Archontonis) continued his service as Assistant Dean at the Halki Theological School.
In 1970, Hieromonk Bartholomew (Archontonis) was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.
When Metropolitan Demetrius (Papadopoulos) became Ecumenical Patriarch in 1972, he established the Patriarchal Office, and he selected Hieromonk Bartholomew to be its director.
Episcopal ordination, 1973
On 25 December, 1973, Archimandrite Bartholomew (Archontonis) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate.
Episcopal service
Bishop Bartholomew (Archontonis) was assigned to serve as Metropolitan of Philadelphia (Asia Minor).
At the same time, Bartholomew was re-assigned as director of the patriarchal office.
In 1974, Metropolitan Bartholomew was assigned to serve as a member of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Church of Constantinople, as well as of many Synodical Committees.
Metropolitan of Chalcedon, 1990
On 14 January, 1990, Metropolitan Bartholomew was transferred, and he was enthroned to be the Metropolitan of Chalcedon.
On 2 October, 1991, Patriarch Demetrios (Papadopoulos) fell asleep in the Lord.
Patriarch of Constantinople, 1991
On 22 October, 1991, Metropolitan Bartholomew (Archontonis) was elected to become the Archbishop of New Rome, Patriarch of Constantinople.
The cathedral of the patriarchate is the Cathedral of Saint George in the patriarchal compound at the Phanar, Istanbul.
Cathedral of Great-Martyr George, Phanar, Istanbul
Throne of the Patriarch of Constantinople, in the Chamber of the Throne
Patriarchal service
Patriarchal Headquarters, Phanar, Istanbul
The official title of the Patriarch is :
His All-Holiness, Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch in Greek : Η Αυτού Θειοτάτη Παναγιότης ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Κωνσταντινουπόλεως Νέας Ρώμης και Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος Α'
However, the official title permitted by the government of Turkey is :
Bartholomew I, Patriarch of the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul in Turkish : Istanbul Fener Rum Patriği Birinci Bartholomeos
The Turkish title uses 2 words of interest. "Rum" refers to "Roman", the word which indicates how the Eastern Romans of Constantinople identify themselves to this day (not as "Greeks"). This term is used also throughout all the territories of the former Ottoman Empire to describe the Orthodox Church (i.e., as "Rum Orthodox"). The term "Fener", which is also spelt "Phanar" (translated "lantern" or "beacon"), refers to a neighbourhood in Istanbul, along the "Golden Horn". "Phanar" is used metaphorically to refer to the "Patriarchate of Constantinople".
In his speech at his accession to the episcopal throne of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew put forward a programme of strengthening ties between the Orthodox Churches, and an active attitude to the topical problems of public life. His intention was to address current conditions so that "the difficult circumstances experienced today and the present completely disappointing state of all mankind" would not lead "to a cooling of faith itself amongst the weak and simple, and would not diminish the works of the Church”.
Great School of the Greek Nation, the Phanar, Istanbul
In partial support of the aforementioned aims (in the field of education), the work of the "Great School of the Greek Nation" (also called "Phanar Greek Orthodox College" or "Phanar Roman Orthodox Lyceum") continues to be supported within the city of Constantinople itself. This school, which has functioned in its current form since the 15th century, is situated in the Phanar district, not far from the patriarchal headquarters. It provides a full curriculum of primary and secondary education.
As Patriarch, he has been particularly active internationally. In harmony with his early statements, one of his first focusses was the rebuilding of the once-persecuted Orthodox Churches of Eastern Europe following the fall of Soviet Communism in 1989-1991. As part of this effort, he worked to strengthen ties amongst the various national Churches and Patriarchates of the Orthodox Church.
He also continued the reconciliation dialogues with the Roman Catholic Church that had been begun by his predecessors. In addition, he initiated dialogues with various non-Christian faiths.
Perhaps unexpectedly, he gained a reputation as a prominent environmentalist, and he put the support of the Patriarchate behind various international environmental causes.
In another arena, he is sometimes accused by detractors of acting in an authoritarian manner (some say “papal” manner), especially regarding his actions towards the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Certain critics accuse him of “Vaticanism”. More recently, a similar accusation was levelled at his words and actions in connexion with the granting of autocephaly to a portion of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Vlatadon Initiative, 1990s
With the "Vlatadon Initiative" (concerning peace and reconciliation) in the 1990s, Patriarch Bartholomew made a valuable contribution to reconciliation and peace amongst the Balkan peoples. This was the case, for instance, in the situation of Bosnia, and the expulsion of a multitude of Serbs from the territory. With Patriarch Pavle (Stojčević) of the Serbian Orthodox Church, he worked to advance co-operation amongst Catholic, Muslim and Orthodox communities in the former Yugoslavia. The name of the initiative refers to the Monastery of the Vlatadēs near Thessaloniki where the meetings were convened.
Monastery of the Vlatadēs
Major repairs at the Patriarchal Headquarters in Istanbul, 1992
In 1992, Patriarch Bartholomew supervised the repair of some of the ecumenical patriarchate's long-deteriorating quarters in Istanbul, including a multi-million dollar restoration of the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George.
Re-establishment of the Albanian Orthodox Church, 1992
On 24 June, 1992, the Holy Synod, chaired by Patriarch Bartholomew, re-established the Church of Albania after the fall of the godless communist government in Albania. Bishop Anastasios (Yannoulatos) was elected to serve as Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania, and as Patriarchal Exarch in Albania. (For this purpose, his transfer from the Church of Alexandria was secured.) At the same time, more metropolitans were elected for Korytsa, Argyrokastro and Veratio, Avlonas and Kanini, in order to form a functioning Holy Synod of Bishops for the Albanian Church.
Meeting of Heads of Orthodox Churches, 1992
From the time of his enthronement, Patriarch Bartholomew has sought to strengthen relations between the Orthodox Churches. For this reason, he invited the Primates of all the local Orthodox Churches to the Phanar (13-15 March, 1992), from where they sent a message of unity to the world. Participating were : Patriarch Parthenius (Koinidis) of Alexandria ; Patriarch Ignatius (Hazim) of Antioch ; Patriarch Diodorus (Karivalis) of Jerusalem ; Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) of Moscow ; Patriarch Pavle II (Stojčević) of Serbia ; Patriarch Teoctist (Arăpașu) of Romania ; Patriarch Maxim (Minkov) of Bulgaria ; Archbishop Seraphim (Tikas) of Greece ; Metropolitan Basil (Doroszkiewicz) of Poland ; Metropolitan Dorotheus (Philip) of Czechoslovakia ; Archbishop John (Rinne) of Finland.
These gatherings (of either those present or of their successors) were repeated in 1995 on Patmos Island ; in 1998 in Sofia, Bulgaria ; in January, 2000, in Jerusalem, Israel ; in December, 2000, at Constantinople (Istanbul) and Nicaea in Bithynia ; and in 2005, 2008 and 2011 in the Phanar in Istanbul (Constantinople). The culmination of the Orthodox process was the historic "Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church", which was prepared for almost a century, and which was convened finally in 2016 in Crete.
First fraternal visit to the Church of Russia, 1993
An official visit to the Russian Orthodox Church in July, 1993, (shortly after his enthronement in Constantinople) marked a certain thaw in the usually tense (especially post-1922) relationship between the Phanar and the Moscow Patriarchate (MP).
During his visit, Patriarch Bartholomew supported the Moscow Patriarchate fully and unequivocally in its dispute with the self-proclaimed Kyiv Patriarchate, which was supported by the Ukrainian authorities : “Patriarch Bartholomew I proclaimed officially that the Ecumenical Patriarchate recognises only one canonical Metropolitan of Kyiv, His Eminence Vladimir, Metropolitan of Ukraine”.
In 1994, Patriarch Bartholomew co-sponsored the Peace and Tolerance Conference in Istanbul, which brought together Christians, Muslims and Jews. In following up on an even earlier inter-faith conference in Berne, Switzerland, the conference issued the Bosphorus Declaration, which reiterated, “A crime committed in the name of religion is a crime against religion”. He followed these initiatives with action in the ensuing years by travelling to Bahrain in September, 2000, to further dialogue.
Establishment of an Estonian Orthodox diocese under Constantinople, 1994
After the fall of communism in the Soviet Union, some nationalist-minded Estonian clergy announced that they had joined the "Stockholm Synod", the "Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church" (EAOC) in exile. The Estonian government declared that the Russian Orthodox Church diocese and parishes in that country were "an occupying Church" (thus accusing them of having invaded the country). However, many Russian Orthodox had lived there for many centuries. With the encouragement of the Estonian civil authorities, the nationalist Estonians began to seize the parishes of the canonical Estonian Church (MP). Regardless, the great majority of clergy and parishes remained within the Russian Orthodox Church (MP).
In October, 1994, the Estonian civil authorities turned to Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) with a request to accept the schismatics associated with the "Stockholm Synod" into his jurisdiction.
The "Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church" (EAOC) had its own complicated history, which is important to be kept in mind. Originally, it had been given autonomy by Patriarch Tikhon (Belavin) after the establishment of the USSR following the 1917 Russian Revolution. Then, in 1922 (as with the Church in Finland and Latvia), Patriarch Meletius (Metaxakis) of the Patriarchate of Constantinople had taken it into his jurisdiction. Moreover, this patriarch declared the Church in Estonia to be autonomous. Further complications came with World War II and the absorption of Estonia into the USSR. In 1973, the EAOC was officially de-activated, although the EAOC continued to exist "in exile", headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden (which is one reason why it was called schismatic).
Patriarch Bartholomew gave a positive answer to the request to be received under his omophor. Direct negotiations were undertaken, and an agreement was reached in Zurich, Switzerland. In effect, Patriarch Bartholomew renewed the previously-existing Estonian Church within the Constantinopolitan Patriarchate. However, from the negotiations, it was agreed that in Estonia there would be simultaneously 2 dioceses (the Autonomous Estonian Orthodox Church (CP) and the Autonomous Estonian Orthodox Church (MP)), each one under the jurisdiction of one of the 2 Patriarchates. The clergy and the believing people could choose voluntarily their jurisdictional affiliation. It also envisaged the co-operation of the 2 patriarchates in presenting their position to the Estonian government with the aim that all Orthodox in Estonia would receive the same rights, including the right to historical Church property. In making such an agreement, there was established a situation in which there were 2 Orthodox dioceses on the same territory, with 2 Orthodox bishops, much the same situation as had developed in North America and in Western Europe.
Ultimately, the result was the establishment of the Autonomous Estonian Orthodox Church (AEOC).
However, no matter how positively such an arrangement had been promoted, it was from the outset contrary to the fundamental principle of the visible unity of the One Church, the One Body of Christ, a principle which the Orthodox Church has protected invariably. The aberrations which have come to exist in the Church outside the historical ecclesiastical territories must be overcome.
Visit to the Ethiopian Church and to the Church of Jerusalem, 1995
During 1995, he visited the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Church Abouna Paulos and the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem. On his visit to Jerusalem, Patriarch Bartholomew was received by the major political figures of the State of Israel, Ezer Weizman and Yitzhak Rabin as well as Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat. Other official visits were made to the Orthodox Church of Finland, the 1000th anniversary of Christianity in Norway, international and interreligious Ecological Summits in Japan and England and the Orthodox Mission of Korea. He travelled also to France, where he met with President Jacques Chirac, the Orthodox Archdiocese of France, all the Roman Catholic hierarchs gathered in Lourdes, and where he was invited to speak to the plenary session of "UNESCO".
From June 27-30, 1995, Patriarch Bartholomew visited Pope John Paul II and the Church of Rome during their Patronal Feast (the Martyrdom of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul). At that time, he announced the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to continue fraternal communication and co-operation with the Roman Catholic Church.
In September, 1995, he presided over the celebrations on Patmos on the 1900th anniversary since the writing of the Apocalypse of Saint John. On this occasion he convoked 1) the Sacred Assembly of the Heads of the Orthodox Churches, which circulated a message to all the world, 2) an international environmental symposium with an emphasis on the oceans, and 3) an international academic meeting on the Sacred Book of Revelation (Apocalypse).
In December, 1995, Patriarch Bartholomew paid a reciprocal visit to the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams as well as the Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain. Then he visited Switzerland and the headquarters of the World Council of Churches (WCC) ; the Lutheran World Federation ; and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. Then he visited the International Committee of the Olympic Games, where he proposed the revitalisation of the Balkan Olympic Games, after which he visited the Centre of European Research in Lausanne.
In February, 1996, an acute conflict arose with the Moscow Patriarchate as a result of the Constantinopolitan Patriarchate's (CP) decision to restore the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church (under the jurisdiction of the CP). This was perceived by the MP leadership as an encroachment on the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church. From the end of February, 1996, for some time, the name of Patriarch Bartholomew was excluded from the diptychs of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Since 1996, tension has developed with regard to the apparently new policy of the Patriarchate of Constantinople regarding the ecclesiastical situation in Ukraine in the context of the background of attempts by representatives of non-canonical Ukrainian structures to obtain their recognition and acceptance from the Patriarch of Constantinople. At the celebrations associated with the 1,020th anniversary of the baptism of Kyivan Rus' on 28 July, 2008, it occurred that Patriarch Bartholomew presided at the festivities. He had come on the invitation of the Ukrainian secular authorities, the leadership of Ukraine, led by President Viktor Yushchenko. These authorities seem to have made the assumption that Patriarch Bartholomew approved of the creation in Ukraine of a “single local Church” (in the manner they had in mind). The participation of the patriarch in the anniversary celebrations in this particular manner produced discontent on the part of the Russian Orthodox Church and of the authorities of the Russian Federation, and uncertainty amongst the people in Ukraine.
In late 1996, Patriarch Bartholomew visited the distant eparchies of Australia and New Zealand.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate sits at the crossroads of East and West, and this offers it a unique perspective on the world’s religions and cultures. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has fostered dialogue amongst Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, and has reached out to the Far East.
Visit to Hong Kong, 1996
In November, 1996, Patriarch Bartholomew made the first-ever visit of an Ecumenical Patriarch to Hong Kong. He established an Orthodox Metropolitanate there. When Hong Kong reverted to being part of the Republic of China on 1 July, 1997, this diocese became the first official presence in China since World War II.
Symposium in Ukraine, meeting with Patriarch Aleksey, September, 1997
In September, 1997, as a guest of the symposium "Ecology, Religion, and Environment" in Odessa, Patriarch Bartholomew was on the territory of Ukraine. On 24 September, 1997, he had a meeting with Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) of Moscow. However, this did not defuse tensions significantly. Primarily, this was because of the matter of the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church. Consequently, at a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church held on 2 October, it was decided : "1. [...] 2. To emphasise the importance of the complete coincidence of the views and positions of the Primates of the 2 Churches in overcoming schisms that violate Church unity and seriously impede the successful witness of Orthodoxy in the world. 3. To note with satisfaction the support expressed by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine headed by Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan) of Kyiv and All Ukraine (Moscow Patriarchate). 4. To state the common and constructive position of both Primates on issues of inter-Christian relations and the recognition of the need for pan-Orthodox consideration in the near future of issues related to the participation of Orthodox Churches in the ecumenical movement, as well as pressing problems in this area".
Visit to the USA, October, 1997
On several occasions, Patriarch Bartholomew visited the USA, where the largest canonical unit under his jurisdiction is located.
During 19 October to 16 November, 1997, Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) visited the USA. His visit was lengthy and comprehensive. The visit was sufficiently impressive that "The National Catholic Register" reported glowingly that
If there is a single assessment to be made of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew l's recent month-long visit to the United States, it's this : ready or not, an ancient Eastern Orthodox institution is back on the world stage.
1998, visit to Czech Lands and Slovakia
In 1998, the former Autonomous Church of the Czech Republic and Slovakia was elevated to the status of an Autocephalous Church. This was done despite the fact that the Russian Orthodox Church had, on 9 December, 1951, given that Church autocephaly already. Although Constantinople did not recognise this autocephaly, the Czechoslovak Church (as it was at that time) was de facto within the physical territory of the Soviet Union, and on the territory of the Russian Orthodox Church. For this reason, there was some controversy about this act.
1998, visit to Sofia, Bulgaria
In 1998, in Sofia, Bulgaria, Patriarch Bartholomew chaired a major Pan-Orthodox Synod, which healed the schism which had been created in the Bulgarian Church decisions after the fall of the communist government in 1992.
1998, visit to Canada
In May-June, 1998, Patriarch Bartholomew travelled to several cities in Canada as he visited some of the main centres of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) led by Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas).
In Toronto, Ontario, the road to the Metropolis Headquarters was renamed “Patriarch Bartholomew Way”, and it was decided “to dedicate a reserve in E T Seton Park with a commemorative stone and plaque to honour the May, 1998, visit to Toronto of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I”.
Patriarch Bartholomew visited the headquarters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on 27-28 May, 1998. In Winnipeg, Patriarch Bartholomew was given an Honourary Doctorate degree at Saint Andrew’s College, University of Manitoba. On the Feast of the Ascension of Christ, the patriarch led a concelebration (with other bishops) of the Primatial Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral. During a banquet, in response to a speech by Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak),
Patriarch Bartholomew spoke of the bonds between Constantinople and the pious of Ukraine. Identifying the 20th century as a 'sinful and murderous century par excellence', he spoke of the suffering unleashed during these years. He said that 'human weakness and the mistakes of the Orthodox themselves' are to blame for the disunity that exists in the Ukrainian Church. Repentance and reconciliation will pave the way to unity, he intoned, adding, 'we pray that the problems will soon be overcome'.
Patriarch Bartholomew arriving in Toronto, 1998
In an article on the web-site of Saint George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia, it was reported :
Describing this event, the Archbishop's Metropolitan Office wrote ‘The summit of Orthodoxy sets foot for the first time on blessed Canadian soil’. In a series of stops from Vancouver to Montréal the Ecumenical Patriarch was able to meet the Greek people of Canada, to inspire them with a sense of love and support, and to be himself lifted up by their enthusiasm and their willingness to carry on the responsibilities of Orthodoxy.
Patriarch Bartholomew participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 1999 and 2006.
On 12 January, 2002, Patriarch Bartholomew travelled to Iran, where he addressed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on “The Contribution of Religion to the Establishment of Peace in the Contemporary World”.
2004, Visit to Cuba ; first Orthodox Christian Temple in Havana
On 21-25 January, 2004, Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Republic of Cuba and he sanctified the first Orthodox Christian Temple on the island. This particular building had been donated by President Fidel Castro to the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Greek Community in Cuba. The Temple of Saint Nicholas was named for Saint Nicholas of Myra.
The visit, during which the patriarch condemned the embargo against Cuba by the USA, received negative criticism amongst Cuban dissidents and emigrants.
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Temple, Havana
December, 2012, visit of USA Archons to Havana (visiting Metropolitan Athenagoras)
2004, Return of Holy Relics from Rome to Constantinople
As reported by "Public Orthodoxy" in 2024, on 30 November, 2004, the Holy Relics of Saint John Chrysostom and of Saint Gregory the Theologian were returned from Rome to New Rome (Constantinople). As clarified in the article, the Holy Relics which were returned had been taken from Constantinople (along with a very large amount of other things) into Western Europe in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade and its sacking of Constantinople in 1204.
Patriarch Bartholomew was central to the process of this restoration of 2 former Archbishops of Constantinople. The process had begun even before his time with the return in the 1960s of Holy Relics by the Church of Rome to the Church of Greece, and to the Coptic Orthodox Church. Then, in 2001, Pope John Paul II made a formal and public apology for the invasion and looting of 1204. This request was accompanied by substantial documentation of research (regarding the history of the relics since that time) conducted by the Orthodox Christian Studies Centre at Fordham University in New York. Subsequently, Patriarch Bartholomew asked Pope John Paul II formally for the return of the Holy Relics of the 2 archbishops. Pope John Paul II agreed ; and after a rapid process, Pope John Paul II arranged for their return on the Feast of the Holy Apostle Andrew to the Church of Constantinople.
Discussion in Moscow, 2004
In 2004, in connection with the discussion of the concept “Moscow – the Third Rome” at the 8th World Russian People’s Council, Patriarch Bartholomew condemned the concept as being theologically untenable. The statement of the patriarch's position was published in the Greek newspaper “To Vima” (8 July, 2004), especially giving correcting information to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Igor Ivanov (who was replaced in that year). The patriarch stated the following : “The involvement of the government in the process of making Church decisions tastes like unacceptable caesarepapism. During the communist era, there was an intolerant politicisation of the Russian Church. [...] We hoped that the situation would be different after the fall of the monstrous system. However, to our indignation, we see that the real Russian government continues, without hesitation, to invade and even “make a policy in relation to purely Church affairs”.
2006, Tensions regarding the Sourozh Diocese
In 2006, a new round of disagreement was caused by the situation in the Sourozh Diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate in the British Isles. By the decision of the Synod of the Church of Constantinople on 8 June, 2006, the former administrator of the diocese, Bishop Basil (Osborne), was admitted into the bosom of the Church of Constantinople. Together with him, some parishes and a significant part of the parishioners were received. [...] On 6 October, 2006, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided (Journal no. 104) to invite Patriarch Bartholomew to consider, in the framework of bilateral interviews, the situation that developed after the admission of Bishop Basil (Osborne) to the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. A positive response followed, and on 23 January, 2007, in Geneva (Switzerland) a meeting of the delegations of the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Moscow took place. The Moscow Patriarchate representatives agreed to recognise the canonical status of Bishop Basil in the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The results of the negotiations were approved at a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on 27 March, 2007.
Tensions with Turkish civil authorities, 2006
In an interview published on 19 November, 2006, in the daily newspaper “Sabah”, Patriarch Bartholomew addressed the matters of religious freedom, and the then pending papal trip to Turkey. He also referred to the closing of the Halki seminary by saying : “As Turkish citizens, we pay taxes. We serve in the military. We vote. As citizens we do everything. We want the same rights. But it does not happen. [...] If Muslims want to study theology, there are 24 theology faculties. Where are we going to study ?” He also addressed the concern about his title “Ecumenical” and its not being accepted by the Turkish government : "We have had this title since the 6th century. [...] The word ‘ecumenical’ has no political content. [...] This title is the only thing that I insist on. I will never renounce this title”.
2006, Visit to Constantinople by Pope Benedict XVI
In November, 2005, Patriarch Bartholomew invited Pope Benedict XVI to Istanbul, and the invitation was accepted.
The visit of Pope Benedict to Patriarch Bartholomew took place in November, 2006. The pontiff became the third of the Bishops of Rome to visit Turkey (his predecessor Pope John Paul II visited in 1979, and Pope Paul VI visited there in 1967). The Pope attended a liturgy at the Cathedral Church of Saint George in the Phanar on 30 November, 2006. Welcoming him, Patriarch Bartholomew called the visit of the Pope on the day of the Holy Apostle Andrew (the feast-day of the Ecumenical Patriarchate) “a blessing of peace”, and he said that he was grieving that “the two Churches were not yet united”. Following the meeting, Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Benedict XVI issued a joint statement.
2007 presentation at the Council of Europe
On 23 January, 2007, Patriarch Bartholomew addressed the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg, France. In his speech, he supported Turkey’s aspirations to join the European Union. He praised “the important successes of Turkey in adopting EU standards and carrying out reforms revising domestic legislation”, and recalled that the Patriarchate of Constantinople “has always supported the European perspective” of the Turkish state. Further, he stressed the importance of an impartial and tolerant approach to sober dialogue between religions. At the same time, he noted that unresolved problems remain in relations between the Church of Constantinople and the state in Turkey : the refusal of the Turkish authorities to recognise the “ecumenical” status of the patriarchy, and to open a theological school on the island of Halki, and return property that belonged previously to the Church of Constantinople. Before his speech, Patriarch Bartholomew met with PACE President René van der Linden and Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg. The Patriarch's invitation to the PACE session provoked protests from some nationalist Turkish politicians. On 24 September, 2008, in Brussels, in a speech in front of the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), he reaffirmed his support for Turkey’s European integration.
2007, Joint Orthodox-Catholic Commission
On 13 October, 2007, the Patriarch commented on the final document of the 10th plenary meeting in Ravenna, Italy, of the Joint Orthodox-Catholic Commission : “All of us, Orthodox [...] are convinced that in the first millennium of the Church's existence, during the time of the undivided Church, the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, was recognised. However, this primacy was honourable, in love, not being a legal primacy over the entire Christian Church. In other words, according to our theology, this primacy is of the human order, it was established due to the need for the Churches to have a head and a focal point. […] If we, with the help of God, come to an agreement with the Catholic Church regarding the meaning of the term “primacy”, as it was in the first millennium, it will not be difficult for the Ecumenical Patriarch to recognise the primacy of the Roman See and take the second place, which he held before the schism”. (The Russian text was published on Moscow Patriarchate web-site.)
In April, 2008, Patriarch Bartholomew was included by “Time” magazine in its list of “100 most influential people in the world”.
2008, Visit to Kyiv, Ukraine
In 2008, President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine invited Patriarch Bartholomew to Kyiv, Ukraine, on the occasion of the 1020th Anniversary of the Baptism of Rus'. The invitation was at first only by the government (not by the Church), but Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church invited him to the celebrations and services of the Church as well. On this occasion, Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) of Moscow was also present. It became an opportunity for both patriarchs to serve the Divine Liturgy together, and there was a brief opportunity for a conversation as well.
In issuing the first invitation, President Yushchenko is reported to have hoped that Patriarch Bartholomew could intervene and act on overcoming the schism in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (there had been a schism since 1992, initiated by Patriarch Filaret (Denysenko), and there were at that time other unhealed schisms from that rupture). It became clear that such a solution was premature. However, because of the careful arrangements by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the peace-making actions of Metropolitan Volodymyr, any possible tension between the Church of Constantinople and the Church of Russia was not visible.
Patriarch Bartholomew in Ukraine, 2008
Patriarch Bartholomew with President Viktor Yushchenko
Funeral of Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) in Moscow, December, 2008
In December, 2008, Patriarch Bartholomew travelled to Moscow, Russia, where he participated in the funeral obsequies for Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) of Moscow and all Russia, at Christ the Saviour Cathedral.
When the Patriarch of Constantinople is present, it is usual and correct that he preside by serving actively. However, under such circumstances as the funeral of Patriarch Aleksey, he decided to preside in a passive manner, in such a way as to allow the Russian Church to bury her own father. This particular pastoral consideration was much appreciated.
Archpastoral service in remote regions of Turkey
Patriarch Bartholomew attempted to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in remote areas of Turkey, thereby renewing the Orthodox presence, which was absent since before 1924. This brought him under intense pressure from Turkish nationalist elements. The patriarchal Seminary of Halki in the Princes’ Islands (in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul) remains closed since 1971 on government orders, and all negotiations up until 2021 have yet to bring about the re-opening of the theological school.
Fraternal visit by Patriarch Kirill to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, 2009
In early July, 2009, Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev) of Russia (chosen and elected in early 2009), made his official Fraternal Visit to Patriarch Bartholomew at the Phanar in Istanbul. Following the conversations between the 2 patriarchs, this visit was assessed as leading to a reduction of the tensions between the 2 patriarchates. The media reported that a compromise had been reached on the issue of spiritual nurturing of the Orthodox in the diaspora : the Moscow Patriarchate agreed to a project for the organisation of episcopal meetings under the chairmanship of the hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the regions of the diaspora. According to unofficial information, the Patriarchate of Constantinople promised not to interfere in the Church situation in Ukraine.
Fraternal visit by Patriarch Bartholomew to the Patriarchate of Moscow, 2010
On 22 May, 2010, Patriarch Bartholomew arrived in Moscow on a Fraternal Visit to the Russian Orthodox Church (at the invitation of Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev) of Moscow). During the visit, Patriarch Bartholomew also visited the Valaam Transfiguration Monastery. He discussed with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow the preparations for convening a Pan-Orthodox Council. He called on the believers of Ukraine “to join the canonical Church”. Besides meetings with Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev), he visited holy places in the cities and regions of Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Patriarch Bartholomew was accompanied by the delegation consisting of Metropolitans Michael (Staikos) of the Metropolis of Austria, Exarch of Hungary and Middle Europe (Vienna) ; Irinaios (Ioanidis) of the Metropolis of Myriophyton and Peristasis ; Emmanuel (Adamakis) of the Metropolis of France ; Archimandrite Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis), general secretary of the Holy Synod ; Archimandrite Bessarion (Komzias) ; Archdeacon Maximos (Vgenopoulos), and other persons. Patriarch Bartholomew was reported to have said :
Our visit to Russia that gives birth to the saints, is successfully completed with God's help. This was a reciprocal visit to the peaceful and fraternal visit of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to the Ecumenical Patriarchate last year. We are leaving for our Mother Church, for Constantinople with good reminiscences and sacred feelings. We could proclaim for the hundredth time our indissoluble unity and profound love not only between the two Churches, but also between their Primates. We have known His Holiness Patriarch Kirill from his youth and appreciated his talents granted to him by God. We know his love and devotion to the Church and the pious Russian people. We are sure that we shall co-operate in harmony to overcome the current problems in Orthodoxy at the future Holy and Great Council so that the Local Autocephalous Church could give a convincing answer to humanity suffering from a profound crisis. This answer will be based on the Gospel : love, humility in Christ, unity in the Holy Spirit, and hope on God the Father. After Russia had received holy baptism and the Gospel from Constantinople, it has given to the Church many saints, confessors, wise in God hierarchs, and new martyrs who are its wondrous crown and eternal glory. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and Church authorities continue to educate people in Christ. Monasticism is flourishing, churches are filled with believers, and the word of God reaches the most distant corners of the large country. The wounds inflicted by the long night of militant atheism have been healed. Crosses are shining not only on the churches and at home and even in governmental institutions, but also in the hearts and everyday life of the majority of people, this being the main thing. We have seen it with our own eyes. Indeed, 'the right hand of the Most High has changed' (Psalm 76:11, LXX). While thanking our dear brother Kirill, venerable holy authorities and members of the Church administration, we consider it our duty to express our gratitude to the Russian state authorities for respect shown to us and members of our delegation, respect that is addressed to the Holy Apostolic and Ecumenical Throne of Constantinople, too.
2013, enthronement of Pope Francis at the Vatican
On 19 March, 2013, Patriarch Bartholomew attended the Enthronement of Pope Francis at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City in Rome, Italy. This paved the way for better Roman Catholic-Orthodox relations. It was the first time that the spiritual head of Eastern Orthodox Christians had attended a papal inauguration since the so-called “Great Schism” of 1054. Afterwards, he invited Pope Francis to travel with him to the Holy Land in 2014 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the embrace between Patriarch Athenagoras (Spyrou) and Pope Paul VI. Pope Francis was also invited to the Patriarchate for the Feast-day of Holy Apostle Andrew (30 November) in 2013.
2014, Visit of Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury
On 13-14 January, 2014, Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, England, visited Patriarch Bartholomew at the Phanar. Amongst the subjects of their discussions, there was mutual agreement that they were in opposition to the proposal to re-activate the "Hagia Sophia" (Holy Wisdom) Church in Istanbul as an Islamic Mosque.
Patriarch Bartholomew with Archbishop Justin Welby
2014, Meeting of Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis in Jerusalem
In May, 2014, as previously agreed, Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis met in Jerusalem to mark the 50th anniversary of the meeting of their predecessors. At this time, they issued a joint communiqué. The communiqué stressed that the dialogue undertaken by the Joint International Commission was expected to provide a methodology through which the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church might be reconciled eventually.
On the eve of the visit of Pope Francis to Turkey on 28-30 November, 2014, a petition was published in Greece which criticised the statements of the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople. In particular, the criticisms referred to his views on the nature of the Orthodox Church and its relationship with other Christian groups and other religious faiths. The petition was signed by more than 2,000 persons, amongst whom were 6 bishops, priests, and monks in Greece and Cyprus, as well as the monks of Mount Athos.
2015, Visit to Lambeth Palace, London
On 2-3 November, 2015, Patriarch Bartholomew visited Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at Lambeth Palace. The visit included prayers for the environment and for refugees, and a lecture about the environment by Patriarch Bartholomew. During the prayer-service, held in Lambeth Palace Chapel, the 2 leaders led prayers for all people risking their lives fleeing from conflict, violence, and persecution, and those whose existence is threatened by climate change.
Both leaders gave a blessing during the service, which featured the Coventry Litany and intercessions led by members of the Community of Saint Anselm (founded in 2015).
Prayers were also said for those under immense pressure to develop an effective and equitable response to the refugee crisis, and for those who would be negotiating at the climate change talks in Paris, France, later that month.
Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Justin Welby pray in London
2016, Visit with Pope Francis to the Moria Refugee Camp
On 16 April, 2016, together with Pope Francis and Archbishop Hieronymos (Liapis) of Athens, Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Mória Refugee Camp on the Island of Lesbos (Mytilene), to call the attention of the world to the plight of the refugees.
Bulgarian politician Mikhail Mikov, leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, in 2016 accused Patriarch Bartholomew of restricting the use of the Bulgarian language for worship in the Bulgarian community in the town of Edirne (Odrin, Adrianople), East Thrace (a town in Turkey but near Bulgaria).
2016, Great Synod of Crete
In the summer of 2016, there arose a new complication associated with the holding of the Pan-Orthodox Council at Chania, Crete, Greece. Before its opening, 4 of the 14 universally-recognised autocephalous Churches refused to participate : Antioch, Georgia, Bulgaria and Russia. They expressed their disagreement with elements of the preparatory drafts of the conciliar documents proposed by Patriarch Bartholomew. Regardless, he refused to make changes.
In addition to other gaps in consensus, the very-long-held description of the service of the Patriarch of Constantinople as “primus inter pares” (“first among equals”) began to be adjusted in comments made by patriarchate personnel to a provocative “first above equals” (“primus supra pares”) or “first before equals” (“primus ante pares”).
2016, Ukrainian request for autocephaly
On 16 June, 2016, the Ukrainian parliament (“Verkhovna Rada”) voted successfully a resolution to appeal to the Ecumenical Patriarch “to recognise invalid the act in 1686 as having been adopted in violation of the sacred canons of the Orthodox Church”, “to take an active part in overcoming the Church schism by convening a Ukrainian unification council under the auspices of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which would solve all controversial issues and unite the Ukrainian Orthodox Church”, and to grant autocephaly to the Orthodox church in Ukraine.
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2018, Patriarchate of Constantinople decision to give autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine
On 20 April, 2018, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople made a decision “to start taking the steps required to grant autocephaly to Orthodox Christians in Ukraine”. According to the Greek media and to a statement made by Patriarch Kirill 2 months later, the meeting of Patriarch Bartholomew with Patriarch Kirill at the Phanar on 31 August, 2018, revealed a lack of mutual understanding on the Ukrainian matter. Usually, such a statement indicates that there was an impasse.
On 14 September, 2018, at an extraordinary meeting, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, received an assessment of the question about possible “retaliatory actions in connection with the appointment by the Patriarchate of Constantinople of its ‘exarchs’ Archbishop Daniel (Zelinsky) ; Bishop Hilarion (Rudnyk)] to Kyiv within the framework of the “decision on granting autocephalous status to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine”. This response was prepared in reaction to the unannounced arrival of 2 bishops sent from Constantinople to Kyiv (for the purpose of furthering the preparations for autocephaly in Ukraine), and who did not go first to receive a blessing from Metropolitan Onuphry (Berezovsky), the canonical Metropolitan of Kyiv (as is required in the canons). This unusual side-stepping of the universal normal procedure was received negatively, since ignoring an existing ruling hierarch implies a non-recognition of his authority by those who do not approach him correctly. In this case, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church (which remained technically responsible for the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church) decided : “1. To suspend the prayerful commemoration of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople during the services. 2. To suspend concelebration with the hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Constantinople [...]”.
On 15 October, 2018, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided to break off Eucharistic communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople in connection with its intention to grant autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
2019, Autocephaly for the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine”
On 5 January, 2019, Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Epiphanius (Dumenko) celebrated a Divine Liturgy together in Saint George's Cathedral in Istanbul.
On 5 January, 2019, after the serving of the Primatial Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Bartholomew signed a tomos of autocephaly for the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine”. In his view, by this act, the "stavropegion" of the ecumenical patriarch in Kyiv was re-established in Ukraine.
Patriarch Bartholomew signing the Tomos of Autocephaly
A major consequence of the decision to declare autocephaly was a rupture with the Russian Orthodox Church. In Ukraine, the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church associated loosely with the Moscow Patriarchate kept the vast majority of bishops, clergy, and Faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox (despite a considerable amount of violence perpetrated upon them) ; the desired unity of the Ukrainian Orthodox was not achieved ; the previously-existing Kyivan Patriarchate re-appeared. There was not the anticipated unity, but rather an increase in fractures and factiousness.
On the eve of and during the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to Ukraine in August, 2021, at the personal invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which came as a surprise (apparently) to many Kyiv observers, adherents of the structures of the Moscow Patriarchate carried out numerous mass protests against the visit. At the end of the visit, Patriarch Bartholomew was criticised by Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeev).
2019, gift of Holy Relics of the Apostle Peter from Pope Francis to Patriarch Bartholomew
In June, 2019, Pope Francis of Rome presented Holy Relics of the Holy Apostle Peter to Patriarch Bartholomew of New Rome in Constantinople. These are 9 particles which had been kept in the chapel of the private papal apartments. They were transmitted on 29 June (the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul) through the representatives of the Constantinopolitan Patriarchate who were present in Rome on that day.
Pope Francis wrote to Patriarch Bartholomew that the Holy Relics had been given without premeditation. He indicated that this gift was strictly the result of his own prayer. They were presented by Pope Francis as a "reminder of the goal of unity". The announcement about this gift was made on 2 July, 2019. The Holy Relics had been displayed publicly by Pope Francis in November, 2013, during a Vatican "Year of Faith" Mass. Patriarch Bartholomew also received the bronze reliquary in which they had been displayed.
Relics of Holy Apostle Peter
2021 visit to the USA
From 23 October to 3 November, 2021, Patriarch Bartholomew made an archpastoral visit to the USA. During the course of his visit to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, he visited other leaders, both Orthodox Christian and other. He also had meetings with various political leaders, including the President of the USA, Mr. J Biden.
On Sunday, 24 October, 2021, Patriarch Bartholomew felt unwell, and he was taken to hospital (instead of serving at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Washington, DC. He was tested and rest was prescribed. After having rested, he rejoined the entourage and a very full and demanding daily programme. Such programmes typically involve frequent meetings, dinners, speeches, travel, and very little rest. When meetings include heads of state and other influential persons, they require a considerable amount of preparation, a sharp memory, and watchfulness of words. It cannot but involve stress. This 10-day visit to the USA involved all this and more. Before the end, he had met with all the bishops, and the leaders of the service-groups of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, and also any others whose work required his blessing. There were meetings with other Orthodox Christian leaders, leaders of non-Orthodox Christian groups, and some leaders of non-Christian groups. There were also meetings with educational leaders, and with various politicians. To undertake all this in the course of the demands of international and local travel is anything but easy for anyone of any age.
On 1 November, Patriarch Bartholomew received the Human Dignity Award from the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in New York City.
On Tuesday, 2 November, 2021, Patriarch Bartholomew led the service of Dedication of the Temple of Saint Nicholas of Myra in Manhattan, New York City. The Dedication Service ("Thyranoixia"), was followed by the serving of the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy. This constituted the official opening of this Temple after nearly 20 years of planning and construction. The original building, the first Greek Orthodox Temple in the city, had stood at the base of the "Twin Towers" of the World Trade Centre for many years. It had been destroyed when the south tower centre collapsed after the attack on 11 September, 2001. Later, when everything is prepared and completed, the Temple will be sanctified (the complete service of blessing).
After the blessing of the Temple, Patriarch Bartholomew then blessed the Holy Cross for the top of the Temple. This was then installed atop the roof of the new building.
On Wednesday, 3 November, 2021, instead of returning to Istanbul, Patriarch Bartholomew again entered Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, where a stent was successfully installed. He was released the next day. After this, he was able to return to Istanbul.
2021, suffering from the Covid-19 virus
On 24 December, 2021, just over a month from his return to Istanbul, Patriarch Bartholomew was diagnosed as suffering from the Covid-19 virus.
The patriarch, who had been "fully vaccinated", was reported as having only mild symptoms. He was kept in hospital for 6 days for observation and rest. He did not require a long convalescence.
Patriarch Bartholomew visited King Charles III, and the Archdiocese of Great Britain, 2022
On Wednesday, 20 October, 2022, Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) and his entourage arrived at London Heathrow Aeroport at the beginning of a week-long archpastoral visitation to the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain. The group was met and welcomed by Archbishop Nikitas (Lulias) of Thyateira and Great Britain, Archimandrite Nephon (Tsimalis), Director of the Office of the Archbishop, and Archdeacon George Tsourous as well as His Excellency Mr Ioannis Raptakis, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic, and Mr Gunes Yeslidag, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkiye.
Patriarch Bartholomew's entourage included : Metropolitan Athenagoras ((Peckstadt)) of Belgium ; Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis) of America ; Grand Ecclesiarch Archimandrite Aetios (Nikiforos), Director of the Private Patriarchal Office ; Second Deacon Alexandros, Bibliophylax (Chancellor) of the Ecumenical Patriarchate ; Grand Archimandrite Agathangelos, Archivist of the Ecumenical Patriarchate ; Mr. Nicholas Papachristou, Director of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Press and Communications Office ; Mr. Panagiotis Grafiadellis. Also included were : Metropolitan Nektarios (Spyrou) of Kition, Official Representative of the Archdiocese of New Justiniana and All Cyprus ; Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea, Director of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Representation Office in Athens ; Metropolitan Seraphim (Ghinis) of Sebastia ; Hieromonk Sophronios (Vomend), Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America ; Mr. Christos Anastasiades, Mrs. Katia Anastasiades.
The agenda of this visit (on the occasion of the centenary of the establishment of the diocese) included a blend of official meetings and visits both to parishes and to pastoral organisations of the archdiocese.
On Friday, 21 October, a Doxology of Thanksgiving was offered at the Church of All Saints in Camden. Then, in the evening, Patriarch Bartholomew presided at Great Vespers at the Church of Saint Nektarios in Battersea, South London. This parish houses the headquarters for “Olive Branch Aid”, the Archdiocesan foodbank. Launched during the Covid-19 Pandemic, this foodbank has been feeding approximately 7,000 person per month. The patriarch met with the workers and volunteers who support this vital social service to the marginalised.
The day concluded with a special dinner hosted by the Archdiocesan Clergy Syndesmos and the Saint Nektarios community. Over 80 clergymen and their spouses attended this event in honour of Patriarch Bartholomew, and it will be a special opportunity for the ordained members of the archdiocese to spend an evening with him.
On Saturday, 22 October, 2022, Patriarch Bartholomew made a pilgrimage to the Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of Saint John the Baptist in Essex, where he served the Primatial Divine Liturgy. At that time, he ordained one of monks to the Holy Diaconate.
This was his first visit to the monastery since the Glorification of the founder, Saint Archimandrite Sophrony (Sacharov), in 2019. This monastery is directly subordinate to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but it also belongs to the spiritual life and pastoral work of the Archdiocese in the United Kingdom.
Later in the afternoon, Patriarch Bartholomew presided and served at Great Vespers at the Temple of Saint Demetrios in Edmonton, in North London, one of the Archdiocese’s largest parishes. This parish also houses a foodbank and a thriving youth and catechetical ministry and Greek language school. In the evening afterwards, there was a special dinner to honour the patriarch at “The Penridge Suite”. This dinner was specifically for younger adults (ages 21-40). Those attending were part of a recently-established archdiocesan service to younger persons, and it is focused on networking, fellowship, culture, and gastronomy for young people. These persons had the opportunity to meet the patriarch and the members of the entourage personally as they all shared a rich meal and enjoyed live music by the British-Born Cypriot acoustic artist Mr. Christos Liberos.
On Sunday, 23 October, Patriarch Bartholomew led the Primatial Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the historic Cathedral of Saint Sophia (Divine Wisdom), a sort of replica of the Holy Great Church of Christ in Constantinople (Istanbul). It was sanctified in 1882. Serving with Patriarch Bartholomew were hierarchs representing the Archdiocese of New Justiana and All Cyprus (Metropolitan Nektarios (Spyrou)]) and the Orthodox Church of Georgia (Bishop Zenon (Yarajuli). Representatives from other Christian faith-communities, and diplomatic missions were also present.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a luncheon hosted by the Order of the Archons was served in honour of the patriarch. It took place at The Hellenic Centre. Archons, religious and community leaders, scholars, representatives of inter-Christian organisations, and diplomats representing traditionally Orthodox lands and non-Orthodox countries attended.
In the afternoon, patriarch attended an Evensong service (Vespers) in his honour at Saint James Church in Sussex Gardens. It was offered also in prayerful support of the Archdiocese of Great Britain on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. This service was presided by Bishop Jonathan Baker of Fulham, Apokrisarios (Representative) of Lambeth Palace (central office of the Anglican Communion) to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and he was assisted by Father Paul Thomas, Vicar of the parish. This visit was the main "ecumenical" service offered by the Church of England in honour of the Patriarch’s visit.
In the evening, there was a Centenary Grand Banquet at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, which was attended by more than 830 persons. Included in the programme were various greetings from government officials as well as a special performance by the well-known singer Mario Frangoulis.
On Monday, 24 October, 2022, the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain hosted a "London Church Leaders' Breakfast" in honour of Patriarch Bartholomew. More than 30 Christian leaders were present for this opportunity to enjoy inter-Christian fellowship, discussion, and to hear a speech by the patriarch. In part, this gathering was aimed at cultivating a stronger culture of solidarity amongst faith-communities in the United Kingdom, and encouraging increased contact and collaboration amongst Christians there.
Following this, Patriarch Bartholomew travelled to the Temple of the Twelve of Apostles in Hertfordshire, where he blessed the ongoing expansion-project of the parish. This parish is known for its many growing social-services, and a flourishing community life.
In the late afternoon, the Patriarch was received by Lord Tariq Ahmad, Baron Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia and the United Nations at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). He was also received by His Excellency Umit Yalcin, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye at the Embassy of Turkiye.
The day concluded with a private dinner hosted by His Excellency Ioannis Raptakis, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the United Kingdom.
At noon on Wednesday, 25 October, 2022, Patriarch Bartholomew met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in London, England. Previously, while he was Prince of Wales, King Charles visited Mount Athos many times. The king and patriarch both have long been involved in activities concerned with ecology.
During their half-hour private meeting, the Patriarch Bartholomew expressed once again his condolences about the death of the King’s Mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as well as his prayers and best wishes on behalf of the Church of Constantinople that he be given a successful and fruitful reign. The patriarch also mentioned the centenary anniversary celebrations of the Holy Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, as well as other topics of mutual interest.
At the conclusion of the private meeting, the Ecumenical Patriarch presented the members of the entourage who had been included in this encounter : Archbishop Nikitas (Lulias) of Thyateira and Great Britain, Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea, and Metropolitan Athenagoras (Peckstadt) of Belgium.
Also present were Ioannis Raptakis, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the United Kingdom; Also present was Matthew Lodge, Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic.
King Charles III and Patriarch Bartholomew (left) ; Patriarchal entourage at Buckingham Palace (right)
At the end of that day, Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) and his entourage departed from London and returned to Istanbul and to the Phanar, site of the patriarchal headquarters there.
– Metropolitan of Philadelphia 1973-1990. Preceded by : Metropolitan Iakovos (Tsanavaris). Succeeded by : Metropolitan Meliton (Karas).
– Metropolitan of Chalcedon 1990-1991. Preceded by : Metropolitan Meliton (Khatis). Succeeded by : Metropolitan Ioakeim (Nerantzoulis).
– Patriarch of Constantinople 1991-____. Preceded by : Patriarch Demetrios (Papadopoulos). Succeeded by : ____,
– Co-Head of State of Mount Athos 1991-____. Preceded by : Patriarch Demetrios (Papadopoulos). Succeeded by : ____,
Reflections
Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) speaks Modern Greek, Turkish, Italian, German, French and English ; he is also competent in Classical Greek and Latin.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's tenure has been characterised by inter-Orthodox co-operation, inter-Christian and inter-religious dialogue, as well as by formal visits to Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, Orthodox, and Muslim leaders, as well as visits to Orthodox and Muslim countries seldom previously visited by an Ecumenical Patriarch. He exchanged numerous invitations with Church and State dignitaries. His efforts to promote religious freedom and human rights, his initiatives to advance religious tolerance amongst the world's religions, together with his work towards international peace and environmental protection have placed him at the forefront of global visionaries, peace-makers, and bridge-builders as an apostle of love, peace, and reconciliation. His efforts to promote ecology and the protection of the environment have been widely noted. These endeavours have earned him the title “The Green Patriarch” (follwing the foot-steps of Patriarch Demetrios I (Papadopoulos) . Amongst his many international positions, he currently sits on the Board of World Religious Leaders for the Elijah Interfaith Institute.
In an interview with the newspaper “Ta Nea” (11 November, 2019) he stated :
We are creatures from the same heavenly Father, and that is why we are brothers. One may belong to different cultures, different religions, but we are still brothers and sisters. This is the message that our Ecumenical Patriarchate has been sending over time, which is why I am in favour of dialogue. Be aware that on the initiative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, dialogues are being held with other Christians : Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans and others, but also with Islam and Judaism. Some people are afraid of dialogue ; they think that we will be influenced by others and we will betray our Orthodox Faith. This is unthinkable. As civilised people in the twenty-first century, we can perfectly sit around the same table and discuss the common problems that concern all of humanity. It is characteristic from this point of view that we do not discuss theological issues with Jews and Muslims, as we discuss such issues with other Christians, but we discuss social issues, which concern and affect all of humanity and amongst them is the ecological problem. It's diseases, it's education, it's war, it's peace and so on. That is why the Patriarchate sends us this message of openness and freedom of thought : not to be afraid, to love everyone and to talk to everyone, because the problems today are common, we are concerned together. We have a duty to find their solution together but we are discussing social issues, those that concern and affect all of humanity and among them is the ecological problem, it is diseases, education, it is war, peace and so on.
In 1997, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the United States Congress, the highest award which may be bestowed by the Legislative Branch of the United States government.
Critical comments regarding the patriarch
Regarding his regulatory role as “first among equals” and his interventions on issues such as the Orthodox Diaspora, the Estonian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian schisms, he was criticised for “infiltration”, i.e. for irregular interference in the interior of other Churches. He was accused by some of “papism” in his intervention in Ukraine. Such accusations are reproduced by Turkish circles, which systematically do not recognise the authority of the Patriarchate of Constantinople beyond the city of Istanbul.
In 2008, an article in the Turkish newspaper “Cumhuriyet” (“The Republic”) reported that “the involvement of Patriarch Bartholomew in the internal affairs of other countries, from Cyprus to Estonia, from Jerusalem to Ukraine creates foreign policy problems in the Turkish Republic”.
Patriarch Bartholomew was the target of an assassination plot which was planned to take place on 29 May, 2013 (the 560th anniversary of the fall of Constantinople). The General Prosecutor of Ankara announced that one citizen had been arrested and 2 were being sought.
From conservative circles of various Churches, from Old Calendarists and from some Athonites such as the schismatic fraternity of the Monastery of Esphigmenou, Patriarch Bartholomew is criticised (as were his predecessors) for his activities that are considered “ecumenical”. For similar reasons he was criticised for the way in which he convened and organised the Pan-Orthodox Synod of Crete of 2016, as well as for how the decisions were arrived at.
In January, 2018, Patriarch Bartholomew sent a letter to President R T Erdogan which concluded : "We pray that you and the Turkish Armed Forces will achieve their goals and that the 'Operation Olive Branch' in the region will bring its promises". This wording by the patriarch was considered by some critics to be supportive of Turkish military operations in Syria.
At the annual press conference on 20 December, 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin criticised Patriarch Bartholomew for his handling of the Ukraine issue.
In Russia, the official criticism of the activities of Patriarch Bartholomew is connected, first of all, with protracted jurisdictional disputes that have been waged since 1922 between the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Moscow. Patriarch Bartholomew has continued generally to pursue a "globalised" line in harmony with the policy of Patriarchs Meletius (Metaxakis) and Athenagoras (Spyrou), which causes a sharply negative reaction from the leadership of the Moscow Patriarchate in its defence of its canonical territory.
It was reported that Patriarch Bartholomew has a strong bias towards Greek nationalism (often called “Hellenism”), and that in a gathering of bishops, he is alleged to have posed the question : “Brothers, are you for the purity of Orthodoxy or for the purity of Hellenism ? Are you ready to stand with me for Orthodoxy or for the Hellenic truth ?”
If the question were posed as reported, and the patriarch did say “or” rather than “and”, then the question would be rather unsettling. In that case, Hellenism would be understood to be greater and more important than the Orthodox Christian Faith. One hopes that this is not the case, and that the report was inaccurate.
In the matter of the giving of autocephaly in Ukraine, it seems that there may be a deeper undercurrent of disposition in the Constantinopolitan Patriarchate regarding Russia that has a long but unwritten history (reaching far back in history). For instance, regarding the Ukrainian autocephaly, it was reported that Patriarch Bartholomew had said that he would not succumb to the pressure of the Russian Orthodox Church with regard to the granting of the tomos of autocephaly to the Church in Ukraine. Further, he declared that the behaviour of the Russians expresses ingratitude, since it was the Greeks who had "Christianised and made civilised" the Russians.
The Patriarch of Constantinople further explained the sharp reaction of the Moscow Patriarchate to the autocephaly by "the geopolitical goals of Moscow". He stated that before making a decision on the Ukrainian Church matter, the Phanar "with prayer and prudence considered all these parameters of the reaction of the Moscow Patriarchate". Patriarch Bartholomew claimed that he made the decision "only and exclusively in the spiritual interests of the people of God".
Awards and honours
• Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called with a diamond star (ROC, 1993).
• Congressional Gold Medal (USA, 1997).
• Order of the Cross of the Land of Mary, 1st class (Estonia, 2000)
• Laureate of the Sofia Prize (2002)
• Grand Cross of the Badge of Honour : "For Services to the Republic of Austria", 1st degree (2004)
• Order of the Golden Fleece (Georgia, 2007)
• "Cardinal Franz König Prize" from the Foundation "Communio et Progressio" (Vienna, 13 March, 2007)
• Named on the “Time” magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world (April, 2008)
• Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st degree (Ukraine, 22 July, 2008) “for outstanding Church activities aimed at raising the authority of Orthodoxy in the world”
• Order of the Star of Romania
• Order of the Eagle of Georgia and the Sacred Tunic of our Lord Jesus Christ (Georgian Royal House, 2011)
• Order of the Republic (Moldova, 28 February, 2012) : “For recognition of the special contribution to the construction and equipment of the theoretical lyceum ‘Elada’ (Mekaresti village, Ungheni Diocese)”
• Four Freedoms Award : For Freedom of Worship (2012)
• Order of Liberty (Ukraine, 27 July, 2013) : “For outstanding Church activities aimed at raising the authority of Orthodoxy in the world, and on the occasion of the celebration in Ukraine of the 1025th Anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus”
• Order of the White Double Cross by President Ivan Gašparovič, 2nd degree (Slovakia, 27 May, 2013)
• Order of the Holy Tsar Constantine (Serbian Orthodox Church, 2013)
• Award for Excellence in Peace and Collaboration of the Global Thinkers Forum (3 December, 2013)
• Order Stara Planina, 1st degree (Bulgaria, 2015)
• Order of Saint King David the Psalmist by HRH Prince Nugzar Bagrationi-Gruzinski of Georgia in a private ceremony in the Patriarchal palace (27 August, 2015)
• Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italy, 2016)
• Honourary Chairman of the Society for Macedonian Studies (2018)
• Order of Merit, 1st degree (Ukraine, 5 January, 2019) “for the outstanding personal contribution of His Holiness to the development of the autocephalous local Orthodox Church of Ukraine, increasing the authority of Orthodoxy in the world, with many years of activity to affirm the ideals of spirituality, mercy and interfaith harmony (according to the message on the website of the President of Ukraine)”
• ECOS Award for Continuing Commitment to the Environment from Earth Friendly Products (2019)
• Human Dignity Award of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in New York City (1 November, 2021)
'Honourary Doctorates from many universities and educational institutions around the world :
• Honourary Doctorate from Fordham University in New York, USA (October, 2009).
• Honourary Ph.D. from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (6 December, 2017).
• Honourary Doctor of the National University "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy" (December, 2018)
• Honourary degree from the University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Indiana, USA, October, 2021
• Honourary Doctorate of the Moscow Theological Academy
• Honourary Doctorate of the University of Crete
• Honourary Doctorate of the London City University
• Honourary Doctorate of the Edinburgh University
• Honourary Doctorate of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• Honourary Doctorate of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
• Honourary Doctorate of the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Kavala
• Honourary Doctorate of the the Democritus University of Thrace
• Honourary Doctorate of the University of Ioannina
• Honourary Doctorate of the University of the Aegean
• Honourary Doctorate of the University of Western Macedonia, Greece
• Honourary Doctorate of the University of Thessaly, Greece
• Honourary Doctorate of the Moscow State University in Russia
• Honourary Doctorate of the University of Iaşi in Romania
• Honourary Doctorate of Exeter University in England
• Honourary Doctorate of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium
• Honourary Doctorate of the Saint Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute in Paris, France
• Honourary Doctorate of the Université de Provence Aix-Marseille in France
• Honourary Doctorate of the Izmir University of Economics in Turkey
• Honourary Doctorate of the University of Bucharest in Romania
• Honourary Doctorate of Flinders University in Australia
• Honourary Doctorate of the Adamson University in the Philippines
• Honourary Doctorate of Saint Andrew’s College in Winnipeg (Canada)
• Honourary Doctorate of Sherbrooke University in Quebec, Canada
• Honourary Doctorate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts
• Honourary Doctorate of Georgetown University in Washington, D. C.
• Honourary Doctorate of Tufts University in Massachusetts
• Honourary Doctorate of the Southern Methodist University in Texas, USA
• Honourary Doctorate of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut
• Honourary Doctorate of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)
Writings
• “Encountering the Mystery : Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today” (Random House of Canada, 2008). ISBN : 9780385518130.
• "Cosmic Grace, Humble Prayer : The Ecological Vision of the Green Patriarch Bartholomew I" (Grand Rapids, NI : W B Eedmans Publishing, 2009). ISBN : 0802862616 & 9780802862617.
• “In the World, Yet Not of the World : Social and Global Initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew”, John Chryssavgis, ed. (New York : Fordham University Press, 2009). ISBN : 9780823231713.
• "Speaking the Truth in Love : Theological and Spiritual Exhortations of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew" (Orthodox Christianity and Contemporary Thought) (New York : Fordham University Press, 2010). ISBN-10 : 0823233375 ; ISBN-13 : 978-0823233373).
• “On Earth as in Heaven : Ecological Vision and Initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew” (New York : Fordham University Press, 2011). ISBN-10 : 0823238857 ISBN-13 : 978-0823238859.
• “New Appeal for the Reopening of Halki”
Salutations, Addresses, Speeches, Homilies
• First official Visit of Archbishop Rowan Williams to the Ecumenical Patriarchate (17 November, 2003)
• “Salutation to the Delegation of the Church of Rome upon the Patronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate” (30 November, 2003).
• “Salutation at the Reception on the Patronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate” (30 November, 2003).
• “Message at the Dinner in His Honour, given by the Order of St Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America” (7 February, 2004)
• “Speech at the OSCE Symposium in Brussels on the Topic ‘Religious Tolerance : combating Racism, Xenophobia and unfavourable Discrimination’" (13/09/2004)
• “Salutation during the memorial Service for the Repose of the Souls of the Victims of the terrorist Attack in Northern Ossetia” (The Most Venerable Patriarchal Cathedral (21 September, 2004)).
• “Toast οn the Occasion of the Lunch in his Honour Hosted by His Excellency Mr. Dimitrios Kourkoulas, Ambassador of the European Union to Bulgaria” (27 October, 2004)
• “Speech of His All-Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, on the Occasion of the Arrival of the Holy Relics of Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostom” (11 November, 2004)
• “Address on the Occasion of the patronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate” (30 November, 2004)
• “Speech at the memorial Event for the ever-memorable Basil Nikolaidis, Archcantor of the Holy Great Church of Christ” (08 January, 2005).
• “Speech at the World Bank Conference” (Dublin, 31 January, 2005)
• “Speech on the Topic of Conflict” (Dublin, 1 February, 2005)
• “A Word of Welcome during the 4th Religious and Scientific Committee Preparatory Meeting for the Religion, Science & the Environment International Symposium VI ‘The Caspian Sea : Linking Peoples and Traditions’” (Phanar, 11 February, 2005)
• “Toast at the Farewell Lunch for the Honourable Mrs. Amira Arnon, Consul General of the State of Israel in Istanbul” (Istanbul, 5 July, 2005)
• “Speech at the London School of Economics (LSE) for the London Hellenic Society : ‘The Role of Religion in a changing Europe’” (3 November, 2005)
• “Opening Address at the opening of the inter-religious Conference ‘Peace and Tolerance II’” (7 November, 2005).
• “Closing Speech at the Completion of Peace and Tolerance II” (Istanbul, 9 November, 2005)
• “Speech on the Valedictory/ Farewell Reception at the Completion of the inter-religious Conference ‘Peace and Tolerance II’” (Istanbul, 9 November, 2005)
• “Address at the Reception held upon the Patronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate” (30 November, 2005)
• “Greeting to the Delegation of the Church of Rome on the Feast-day of the Throne of the Ecumenical Patriarchate” (30 November, 2005)
• “Address of Patriarch Bartholomew to His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Catholicos of all Armenians during his Visit in the Phanar” (21 June, 2006)
• “RSE Symposium VI, ‘Amazon : Source of Life’. Opening Address” (14 July, 2006)
• “Welcome by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to His Holiness Pope Benedict VXI after the Prayer Service at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George” (29 November, 2006)
• “Homily by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during the Divine Liturgy on the Feast Day of St Andrew at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint George” (30 November, 2006)
• “Address during the Academic Symposium” (Istanbul, 26-29 November, 2006)
• “Speech of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Plenary of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe” (in Strasbourg, France) (22 January, 2007)
• “Ansprache Seuber Allheiligkeit Des Ökumenischen Patriarchen Bartholomaios I. In Der Serbisch-Orthodoxen Kirche Zum ‘Hl. Sava’” In Wien (12 März, 2007)
• “Tischrede seiner Heiligkeit des Ökumenischen Patriarchen Bartolomaios I bei der Begegnung mit der Österreichischen Bischofskonferenz” (13 März, 2007)
• “Meditation of His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, opening Prayer Service in Sibiu, Romania” (9 May, 2007)
• “Greeting by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Delegation of the Church of Rome at the Thronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate” (30 November, 2007)
• “Homily by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the 60th Anniversary of the World Council of Churches at Saint Pierre Cathedral, Geneva” (17 February, 2008)
• “Address of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the plenary Assembly of the European Assembly in Brussels, Belgium” (24 September, 2008)
• “Greeting by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Participants of the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Southeastern Europe” (7 March, 2009)
• “Toast by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during the formal Luncheon in Honour of His Beatitude Patriarch Kirill of Moscow” (5 July, 2009)
• “Homily οf His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Thronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate” (30 November, 2009)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the ‘World Partner Forum’” (Istanbul, 6 May, 2011)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Synaxis of Patriarchs of the Ancient Patriarchate and the Archbishop of Cyprus” (1 September, 2011)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Delegation of the Church of Rome at the Thronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate” (30 November, 2011)
• “‘Europe as a Laboratory for Global Governance’ : Address of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the ‘World Policy Conference’” in Vienna (12 October, 2011)
• “Remarks of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on receiving the Franklin D Roosevelt Freedom of Worship Medal” (5 December, 2012)
• “Greeting by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the Occasion of the Visit of Members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA” (30-31 October, 2012)
• “Greeting by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the Occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Opening of the Second Vatican Council, at Saint Peter’s Square” (11 October, 2012)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Delegation of the Church of Rome at the Thronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate” (Phanar, 30 November, 2012)
• “Greeting by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Opening of the Seminar on the social Dimension of the Monotheistic Religions, organised by the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy” (Istanbul, 3 March, 2013)
• “Greeting by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarchate Bartholomew at the Patriarchal Audience for the Members of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy” (3 March, 2013)
• “Keynote Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the official Opening of the Seminar on the 1700th Anniversary since the Edict of Milan” (Conrad Hotel, 17 May, 2013)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during His Visit to His Excellency Constantine Catsambis Ambassador of Greece to Estonia” (6 September, 2013)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at his Meeting with the Prime Minister of Estonia, His Excellency Andrus Anip” (5 September, 2013)
• “Toast by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Meal organized in His Honour by the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Urmas Paet” (5 September, 2013)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at his Meeting with the President of the Estonian Parliament, Her Excellency Ene Ergma” (5 September, 2013)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at his Meeting with the President of Estonia, His Excellency Toomas-Hendrik Ilves” (5 September, 2013)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Ecumenical Gathering in the Lutheran Cathedral of Espoo” (11 September, 2013)
• “Toast by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Dinner of His Excellency Christos Kontovounissios, Ambassador of Greece in Finland” (11 September, 2013)
• “Homily by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Church of the Dormition, Helsinki" (12 September, 2013)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the formal Celebration of the 90th Anniversary since the Declaration of Autonomy for the Orthodox Church of Finland” (Uspenski Cathedral, 12 September, 2013)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during his Encounter with His Excellency President Sauli Niinistö of Finland” (13 September, 2013)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to His Holiness Pope Francis during the Doxology in the Patriarchal Church on His Official Visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate” (29 November, 2014)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to His Holiness Pope Francis during the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St Andrew in the Venerable Patriarchal Church” (30 November, 2014)
• “Keynote Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Synaxis of Hierarchs of the Throne” (29 August, 2015)
• “Greeting by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Delegation of the Church of Rome at the Thronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate” (Phanar, 30 November, 2015)
• “Statement by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew” (Lesvos, 16 April, 2016)
• “Toast by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Chairman of the Holy and Great Council, at the Dinner hosted in his Honour and in Honour of their Beatitudes the Primates of the Orthodox Autocephalous Churches by His Excellency Nikos Kotzias, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic” (Chania, Crete, 16 June, 2016)
• “Homily by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Chairman of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church at the Concelebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Metropolitan Church of St Minas in Heraklion, Crete with their Beatitudes the Primates of the Holy Orthodox Churches” (Sunday of Pentecost, 19 June, 2016)
• “Toast by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Chairman of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church at the official Luncheon hosted in his Honour and in Honour of their Beatitudes the Primates of the Orthodox Autocephalous Churches by His Excellency Prokopios Pavlopoulos, President of the Republic of Greece” (Heraklion, Crete, 19 June, 2016)
• “Opening Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Inaugural Session of the Holy and Great Council” (20 June, 2016)
• “Greeting by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Delegation of the Church of Rome at the Thronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate” (Phanar, November 30, 2017)
• “Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanios of Kyiv and all Ukraine” (5 January, 2019)
Messages, Statements, Interviews
• “Message of His All Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew for the Day of Prayer for the Protection of the Environment” (9 January, 2004)
• “The Patriarchal Exhortation to the Ukrainian People”
• “Message on the disastrous Tsounami that hit Southeast Asia after the Earthquake” (1 January, 2005)
• “Patriarchal Greeting to the Conference of the European Council of Pastoral Care and Counselling” (16 August, 2005)
• “Message of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the International Conference, ‘Twenty Years of Chernobyl Catastrophe : A Look to the Future’” (23 April, 2006)
• “Message by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the 11th Euroasian Economic Summit” (Istanbul, 3 May, 2008)
• “Message of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on World Environment Day” (5 June, 2008)
• “Message of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the Beginning of Ramadan” (1 September, 2008)
• “Congratulatory Message by Telegram of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Newly-Elected Patriarch of Moscow” (27 January, 2009)
• “Message of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the Occasion of the Bangkok Climate Change Talks” (26 September, 2009)
• “Statement of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the Repose of Patriarch Pavle of Serbia” (15 November, 2009)
• “Interview with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew 2010” by C Rose (Part 1 of 3)
• “Message by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the Nuclear Explosion at Fukushima” (13 March, 2011)
• “Message by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew upon the Day of Prayer for the Protection of Creation” (9 January, 2013)
• “Message by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the devout Ukrainian People on the Occasion of the 1025th Anniversary since the Baptism of Kyivan Rus’” (28 July, 2013)
• “Statement of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on his forthcoming Meeting with His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome” (18 February, 2014)
• “Message : Synaxis of the Primates of the Orthodox Churches” (Phanar, 6-9 March, 2014)
• “Common Declaration of Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew” (30 November, 2014)
• “Video Message by His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew on the Holy and Great Council” (13 May, 2016)
• “Patriarchal Encyclical for Holy Pascha, 2018”
• “Interview with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew by Zivojin Rakocevic, Journalist of the Serbian Newspaper 'Politika'” (5 April, 2019)
• “Patriarchal Encyclical for Holy Pascha, 2019”
• “Patriarchal Encyclical for Holy Pascha, 2020”
• “Patriarchal Encyclical for Christmas, 2021”
Patriarchal encyclicals
• “Catechetical Homily on the Occasion of Holy and Great Lent” (2005)
• “Catechetical Address on the Commencement of Holy and Great Lent” (2008)
• “Patriarchal and Synodal Encyclical on the Sunday of Orthodoxy” (21 February, 2010)
• “Patriarchal and Synodal Encyclical on the 1700th Anniversary since the Edict of Milan” (2013)
• “Patriarchal Encyclical For Holy Pascha” (2017)
• “Catechetical Homily on the Opening of Holy and Great Lent” (2018)
• “Patriarchal Encyclical for Holy Pascha” (2018)
• “Encyclical for the Ecclesiastical New Year” (1 September, 2021)
References
Chryssavgis, John, “Bartholomew : Apostle and Visionary” (biography) (Nashville, TN : Harper Collins, 2016)
Ecumenical Patriarchate biography
Ecumenical Patriarchate biography (in Greek)
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America biography
Liquisearch biography : early life
Additional information :
Chryssavgis, John, & Foltz, Bruce V, eds.,"Toward an Ecology of Transfiguration : Orthodox Christian Perspectives on Environment, Nature, and Creation" (Orthodox Christianity and Contemporary Thought) (New York : Fordham University Press, 2013). ISBN-10 : 0823251454 ; ISBN-13 : 978-0823251452 (Preface by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew).
Couretas, John, “A Patriarch in dire Straits”
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, “Patriarch Bartholomew : A Passion for Peace”
Mankoff, Geoffrey, “The Orthodox Schism in the Shadow of Empire” (2018)
Ecumenical Patriarchate web-site
Wikipedia article about the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Church of Saint George, Constantinople, Turkey
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
"Visits of Ecumenical Patriarchs to Rome and Popes to the Ecumenical Patriarchate"
Archbishop Anastasios (Yannoulatos)
Metropolitan Demetrius (Papadopoulos)
Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeev)
Metropolitan Epiphanius (Dumenko)
Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan)
Metropolitan Onuphry (Berezovskiy)
Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas)
"National Catholic Register" article : "With Bartholomew at Helm, Constantinople Makes a Comeback" (24 December, 1997)
Commemoration of Visit by Patriarch Bartholomew of the Orthodox Church to Toronto in May 1998
Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) visited the Russian Orthodox Church (31 May, 2010)
Nftu news “Ecumenical Patriarch Visits Pope” (19 October, 2012)
"Pope, Orthodox Patriarch in historic Prayer for Unity" (26 May, 2014)
Pan-Orthodox Synod of Crete (2016)
Moscow-Constantinople Schism (2018)
"Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who arrived on a Visit to Ukraine" (21 August, 2021)
"Official Visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States" (23 October-3 November, 2021)
Patriarch Bartholomew hospitalised at the beginning of his visit to the USA (24 October, 2021)
Patriarch Bartholomew received a stent in Mount Sinai Hospital, New York (4 November, 2021)
“Patriarch Bartholomew made a tactical Mistake driven by Greek Nationalism : Ukrainian Hierarch” (23 December, 2021)
Video : Speech by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople (2015)
Video : University of Notre Dame confers Honourary Doctorate on Ecumenical Patriarchate Bartholomew of Constantinople (28 October, 2021)
Video : The National Council of Churches held an ecumenical Reception for His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (26 October, 2021)
Video : 60 Minutes Interview with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
Please send your suggestions, additions, corrections or contributions to this address :
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