Inter-Christian Dialogue
RSSHis All-Holiness congratulates newly-elected Coptic Pope
It is with sincere fraternal joy that we learned of your recent election as spiritual leader of the Coptic Church, succeeding the beloved and respected Pope Shenouda III after his long and fruitful ministry. We share with the devout faithful of the Coptic Church worldwide the profound consolation that accompanies the election and installation of a new spiritual shepherd as well as the prayerful recognition of the immense responsibility assumed by Your Holiness as you now lead the people entrusted to you by God in a time the world has been defined by turmoil and in a region that demands great discernment and sensitivity. Learn More »
Greeting by His All-Holiness on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council
As Christ prepared for His Gethsemane experience, He prayed a prayer for unity which is recorded in the Gospel of Saint John Chapter 17 verse 11: “. . . keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are”. Through the centuries we have, indeed, been kept in the power and love of Christ, and in the proper moment in history the Holy Spirit moved upon us and we began the long journey towards the visible unity that Christ desires. Learn More »
Ecumenical Patriarch Expresses Condolences for Loss of Ethiopian Patriarch
The loss of a beloved and revered Patriarch is more than the demise of a religious and public figure; it is the deprivation of a spiritual and fatherly leader. Therefore, it is with profound sorrow and personal regret that we learned of the falling asleep of your distinguished father and erudite shepherd, His Beatitude Abuna Paulos. Learn More »
Ecumenical Patriarch Expresses Condolences for Loss of Ethiopian Patriarch
The loss of a beloved and revered Patriarch is more than the demise of a religious and public figure; it is the deprivation of a spiritual and fatherly leader. Therefore, it is with profound sorrow and personal regret that we learned of the falling asleep of your distinguished father and erudite shepherd, His Beatitude Abuna Paulos. Learn More »
Address of His All-Holiness at the 15th Eurasian Economic Summit
It is an honor once again to address the Eurasian Economic Summit, which is organized annually by the distinguished Marmara Group and this year is considering various aspects of the relationship between economy and dialogue as well as of development and women’s rights in our world. We have been asked to address how sustainability and economy can be promoted through intercultural and interfaith dialogue. Learn More »
Condolences from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Coptic Orthodox Church on the Death of Pope Shenouda
The world’s heart stopped briefly in mourning as we all learned the sad news that His Holiness Pope Shenouda III fell asleep in the Lord. Yet, we do not mourn without consolation or hope (1 Thess. 4.13). For, Pope Shenouda left behind a legacy for all people and all ages. Learn More »
His All-Holiness expresses support to Pope Shenouda on recent tragedy in Egypt
It is with heavy heart and wholehearted sympathy that we communicate with Your Beatitude – indeed, not for the first time this year! – for similar tragedies confronting our beloved and pious Coptic Christian brothers and sisters under your spiritual and pastoral protection in Egypt. Learn More »
Address at the Thronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
It is with great joy that we greet your presence at the Thronal Feast of our Most Holy Church of Constantinople and express gratitude to our brother in the Lord, Pope Benedict XVI, who sent you here, for his gracious fraternal gesture through you to participate in this festive celebration of the sacred commemoration of the founder of the Church in Byzantium, St. Andrew the First-Called of the Apostles. Learn More »
Address at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin
The mission of your institution clearly states that: “The memory of our Patron requires from us a constant reflection upon John Paul II’s legacy and teaching.” For over a quarter of a century, the late Pope John Paul II shepherded the Church of Rome, standing as a symbol of unrelenting stability and hope in an age of widespread turmoil and despair. Undoubtedly, his tenure was inspired by an abiding faith as well as by the difficult circumstances that his home country Poland suffered for so many years under totalitarian oppression. This is an experience of martyrdom, with which the Orthodox Church can easily identify. Learn More »
Patriarchal and Synodal Encyclical On the Sunday of Orthodoxy
Our most holy Orthodox Church today commemorates its own feast day, and – from this historical and martyric See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – the Mother Church of Constantinople directs its blessing, love and concern to all of its faithful and dedicated spiritual children throughout the world, inviting them to concelebrate in prayer. Learn More »
Patriarchal and Synodal Encyclical On the Sunday of Orthodoxy
Our most holy Orthodox Church today commemorates its own feast day, and – from this historical and martyric See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – the Mother Church of Constantinople directs its blessing, love and concern to all of its faithful and dedicated spiritual children throughout the world, inviting them to concelebrate in prayer. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Those who endeavored over the ages to suppress the Church through various visible and invisible persecutions; Learn More »
Address at the Reception Held Upon the Patronal Feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
We cordially thank you for coming here and sharing in our joy and thereby increasing it. Indeed, joy grows greater when there are more to share in it, just as sorrow diminishes when its burden is shared by the friends of the sorrowing. Learn More »
At the Reception in His Honor at the Museum of Biblical Art Exhibition "Scripture, Image, Life: Orthodox Christianity"
We greet you this evening in the name of the Creator and Light of the world, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who commanded his Apostles to, “Go forth unto all nations, teaching them all that [He] had commanded.” It is with a warm heart, much gratitude, and in the solidarity of the apostolic commission to share Christ’s Gospel with every person in every corner of the world that we thank the American Bible Society and the Museum of Biblical Art for honoring the ministry of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with such an extraordinary witness to the inexhaustible love with which God created the world. Learn More »
Communique of Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church of the 11th Plenary Session
The eleventh meeting of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church took place in Paphos, Cyprus, a city with a rich history, having received three Apostles, Paul, Barnabas and Mark. The meeting took place from 16-23 October 2009, generously and fraternally hosted by the Orthodox Church of Cyprus. 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 to the new General Secretary of the World Council of Churches
We take this opportunity to wholeheartedly congratulate you upon learning of your election as the 7th General Secretary of the World Council of Churches. As you respond to this calling from God, please be assured of our incessant prayers to our Lord God for your strength, wisdom and success as you now lead the journey towards unity of the World Council of Churches. Learn More »
Greetings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the Visit of the President of the Ukraine to The Ecumenical Patriarchate
It is with great joy and paternal pride that we welcome you – in the distinguished company of venerable hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne and official guests from the Ukraine – to the Patriarchal Church of St. George, spiritual home of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Learn More »
Address to the XIIth Ordinary General Assembly of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church
It is at once humbling and inspiring to be graciously invited by Your Holiness to address the XIIth Ordinary General Assembly of this auspicious Synod of Bishops, an historical meeting of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church from throughout the world, gathered in one place to meditate on “the Word of God” and deliberate on the experience and expression of this Word “in the Life and Mission of the Church.” Learn More »
Communique From The Coordinating Committee of the Joint International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church
At the opening session, the two Co-Presidents of the Commission, His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper (President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity) and His Eminence Metropolitan John of Pergamon (Ecumenical Patriarchate), expressed their joy and thankfulness to God for the continuation of the theological dialogue between the two Churches. Learn More »
Address to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Upon the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
Glory be to God for all things! For, He has rendered us worthy to share in His bountiful blessings. How can we ever thank Him sufficiently for the divine grace and goodness showered upon us all? It is with sentiments of sincere joy and earnest thanks that we have just participated in the solemn services on the blessed occasion of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostolic Patrons of the ancient Church of senior Rome. The shedding of their sacred blood has proved to be a blessing for the universal Christian Church throughout the ages. Learn More »
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Latest News
Edict of Milan Seminar
Friday, May 17, 2013
On Friday, May 17, 2013, the Ecumenical Patriarchate honored the 1700th anniversary of Emperor Constantine the Great's "Edict of Milan" by hosting an international and interfaith one-day seminar in collaboration with the Council of European Episcopal Churches at the Conrad Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey. Read more...
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