Environmental Addresses
RSSEcumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's message for World Environment Day
Inasmuch as, at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, we have long been concerned about problems related to the preservation of the natural environment, we have ascertained that the fundamental cause of the abuse and destruction of the world’s natural resources is greed and the constant tendency toward unrestrained wealth by citizens in so-called “developed” nations. Learn More »
Sins Against Nature and God: We Are All Accountable for Ignoring the Global Consequences of Environmental Exploitation
Once again, in a matter only of a few years, the eyes of the world are turned with suspense toward the Gulf Coast. Sadly, the oil spill is following a path similar to Hurricane Katrina and threatening the coast of Louisiana as well as neighboring states. Learn More »
Saving the Soul of the Planet - Address at the Brookings Institution
At first glance, it may appear strange for the leader of a religious institution concerned with spiritual values to speak about the environment at a secular institution that deals with public policy. What exactly does preserving the planet or promoting democracy have to do with saving the soul or helping the poor? Learn More »
Address of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Ninth Annual SCOBA/SCOOCH UN Prayer Service
This Symposium is in many ways both historical and unique. This river comprises a microcosm of our planet. In its waters, we observe many of the world’s ecological issues. We are humbled in its presence. We have come to listen to its story, to learn from its history. Learn More »
Homily of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Patriarchal Chorostasia of the Great Vespers for St. Demetrios the Myrrh-Streamer
Beloved, the power of a prayer is not to be measured by its length. The most powerful prayer may also be the most brief. Few but fervent were the words of Saint Nestor: “God of Demetrios, help me.” Yet through the power of these simple words, evil was vanquished, tyranny was frustrated, faith was vindicated, and not one, but two saints for the Kingdom of God were revealed. Learn More »
Opening Address of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the 8th RSE Symposium
This Symposium is in many ways both historical and unique. This river comprises a microcosm of our planet. In its waters, we observe many of the world’s ecological issues. We are humbled in its presence. We have come to listen to its story, to learn from its history. Learn More »
Unity as Calling, Conversion and Mission Opening address by His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Plenary of the World Council of Churches’ Commission on Faith and Order "Called To Be One Church", Crete Greece
It is with great joy that we accepted the gracious invitation of our beloved Faith and Order Commission to address this auspicious plenary gathering. We would also like to welcome you all – academics and pastors, ministers and lay leaders from diverse regions of the world – to our Orthodox Academy on this uniquely beautiful island. The theme of this plenary session is: “Called to be One Church: that they may become one in your hand.” Learn More »
Message by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United Nations Climate Change Talks in Bangkok, Thailand (Sept. 28 - Oct. 9, 2009)
In view of the international negotiations on climate change commencing in Bangkok, Thailand, and only two months before the crucial United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, we urge the international community to undertake courageous commitments for the prevention of the most severe consequences of global warming. Learn More »
Ecumenical Patriarch's Message for the Day of the Protection of the Environment
As we come again to the changing of the Church year, we reflect once more on the state of God's creation. We think about the past and repent for all that we have done or failed to do for the earth's care; we look to the future and pray for wisdom to guide us in all that we think or do. Learn More »
Foreword to the Published Proceedings of the Fourth Summer Seminar at Halki
One of the more fundamental problems, which constitute the basis of the ecological crisis, is the lack of justice prevailing in our world. By justice we mean not only the legal correspondence of giving and receiving, of transgressions and consequences, of offering and reward, but the more inclusive virtue that lies beyond the narrow fulfillment of obligation. The liturgical and patristic tradition of the Church considers as just, that person who is compassionate and freely grants, using love as one’s sole criterion. Justice extends even beyond one’s fellow human being to the entire creation. The burning of forests, the criminal exploitation of natural resources, the gap between the wealthy “north” and the needy “south,” all these constitute expressions of transgressing the virtue of justice. Learn More »
Message by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for World Environment Day
Today’s World Environment Day is an opportunity as well as an invitation for all of us, irrespective of religious background, to consider the ecological crisis. In our time, more than ever before, there is an undeniable obligation for all to understand that environmental concern for our planet does not comprise a romantic notion of the few. The ecological crisis, and particularly the reality of climate change, constitutes the greatest threat for every form of life in our world. Learn More »
Address of His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Plenary Assembly of the European Parliament, Brussels
First and foremost, we convey to you salutations from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, based for many many centuries in what is today Istanbul – greetings replete with esteem and respect. Learn More »
Ecumenical Patriarch's Message for the Day of the Protection of the Environment
For creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who subjected it ... For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. (Rom. 8. 20,22) Beloved Brothers and children in the Lord, Once again, as the ecclesiastical year begins, we are called to reflect – with renewed spiritual intensity in Christ and especial sensitivity – on the state of our bountiful planet, and to offer particular prayers for the protection of the whole natural world. Learn More »
Message of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the National Young Adult League Conference in Washington, DC.
It is with sincere joy that we convey to all participants of the National YAL Conference being held in Washington, D.C. from July 10-13, 2008, on the critical theme “Doers of the Word” our Patriarchal and Paternal greeting. Learn More »
Message of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the Korean National Council of Church's Conference on the Environment.
It is with great pleasure that we have been informed of the conference being organized by the Korean National Council of Churches on the relationship of human beings toward the natural environment, and gladly respond to the gracious invitation that we extend a brief message on that significant occasion. Learn More »
Greeting of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the World Conservation Union Workshop held in Ouranoupolis, Greece.
It is with great interest that we learned of the Workshop you are organizing in Ouranoupolis in Northern Greece on 24-28 October 2007 in the framework of IUCN – The World Conservation Union. Learn More »
Video Address of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Participants of International Conference of the Young President's Organization, Athens, Greece: Encounter and Dialogue: Modern Lights for a Global Reality
It is indeed a pleasure to address – from a distance through prayer and in spirit, as well as through video-communication – the auspicious and international gathering of the Young Presidents Organization in Athens, sponsored by the Young Presidents Organization of Greece. Learn More »
Opening Address of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Environmental Symposium "Arctic: The Mirror of Life" in Greenland
By the grace of God we have concluded our symposium, and we are now close to the end of our wonderful Greenlandic journey. With the permission of our beloved Greenlandic hosts, whose leave should be asked before every public statement in this part of the world, let us offer some reflections on the blessings we have enjoyed and the challenges we now face. Learn More »
Second Address of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Environmental Symposium "The Arctic: The Mirror of Life" in Greenland
It is a great privilege to be standing in Greenland’s capital, as a guest of the Home Rule government. For your gracious hospitality, for your help in making our symposium possible, and indeed for your deep understanding of the purpose of our symposium, we offer heart-felt thanks. Learn More »
Opening Address of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Environmental Symposium "Arctic: The Mirror of Life" in Greenland
It is a great privilege and blessing to be standing on the soil of this magnificent island, at the start of a fresh deliberation on the fate of the earth. This is the seventh symposium we have organized, and it is in many ways the most important. Learn More »
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Latest News
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's message for World Environment Day
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Inasmuch as, at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, we have long been concerned about problems related to the preservation of the natural environment, we have ascertained that the fundamental cause of the abuse and destruction of the world’s natural resources is greed and the constant tendency toward unrestrained wealth by citizens in so-called “developed” nations. Read more...
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