Addresses and Messages
RSSAddress of His All-Holiness to His Holiness Pope Francis of Rome
On this Throne, You succeed Pope Benedict XVI, who boldly retired for reasons of health and fatigue, a man distinguished for his meekness, theology and love. The task and responsibility before You are immense before both God and humankind. Learn More »
His All-Holiness addresses Bishop-elect Gregory of Nyssa of the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA
It is with joy that we announce to you the unanimous election by the Holy and Sacred Synod of your beloved Grace to Bishop of Nyssa. Learn More »
His All-Holiness addresses 1st Istanbul World Forum
It is a sincere privilege to be invited by the Prime Ministry Office of Public Diplomacy and the SETA Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research to address this 1st Istanbul World Forum held under the distinguished auspices of and officially opened by His Excellency Prime Minister Erdogan. Moreover, it is a personal pleasure to participate in this esteemed panel on the critical subject of “Religion and Social Justice.” Learn More »
Keynote address of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the opening ceremony of the Halki Summit
It is indeed a special privilege to welcome you to the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, the sacred site of our precious and venerable Halki Theological School, for the official opening of the Halki Summit on Global Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability. Learn More »
Remarks of His All-Holiness on receiving The Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom of Worship Medal
It is a profound privilege and sincere delight to stand beside other esteemed recipients of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom Awards in order to accept the Freedom of Worship Medal. Three dimensions of our life and ministry have inspired us over the years to pursue with sacred passion the goal of religious freedom. 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 »
Message on the nuclear explosion at Fukushima
It is with burdened and painful heart that the entire world is witnessing the drama of the tragic earthquake, which over the last days has afflicted Japan and cost numerous lives of our brothers and sisters. Moreover, it is with much anguish and sorrow that we behold the related devastation in the Land of the Rising Sun as well as in other nations of the Pacific. Every corner of the planet is offering prayers both for the repose of the departed souls and for the support of those who continue to be grieved and imperiled by the ensuing seismic tremors and ferocious tsunami. Lamentably, yet another calamitous consequence has struck the region with the explosion of the nuclear plant at Fukushima, rendering still more frightening the recent nightmare in Japan. 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 on Councils and Conciliarity
It is with sincere joy that we accepted to address your international conference organized by the UNESCO Chair on Religious Pluralism and Peace in the context of the year when Istanbul is celebrating its prominence as the cultural capital of Europe. This assembly is exploring the recent studies on the Councils of the Church with respect to new challenges that these present for theology and history. In this context, we shall also hear presentations about the extraordinary work of the Conciliorum Oecumenicorum Generaliumque Decreta and the Mansi 3. Learn More »
Message for the Day of the Protection of the Environment
Our ever-memorable predecessor, the late Patriarch Demetrios, who possessed a deep awareness of the gravity of the environmental crisis, as well as of the responsibility of the Church to directly and effectively confront the crisis, issued the first official encyclical dealing with the protection of the natural environment more than two decades ago. 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 »
Address on receiving the Golden Cross of St. Basil the Great from the Cappadocian community
Our hearts are filled with profound emotion and joy, and we glorify the name of God, who has once again allowed us to realize our pilgrimage to the land of Basil the Great, of the two St. Gregories, those great beacons, and of a countless host of Righteous Fathers, Martyrs and Confessors glorified in this land. Learn More »
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 »
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 Official Dinner in Honor of His All Holiness Hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
We rise to express our gratitude and profound sense of appreciation to you, Madame Secretary, for your hospitality to us and for this tribute to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. We rise to address you, not as another dignitary among so many, but as a fellow laborer in the vineyard of peace. We rise as one who honors your commitment to the work of reconciliation and expanding the scope of dignity and justice for the whole human family. Learn More »
At the Dinner in his Honor Hosted by Vice President Joseph R. Biden
Mr. Vice President, you are a person who has sought justice and fought for liberty throughout a lifetime of public service. Through tragedy and triumph, you have persevered with a constant awareness of those most in need, of those who are powerless, and those who live without hope. Your life story is truly an American story, filled with peaks of exemplary achievement, and valleys of loss and despair. But through them all, as you yourself have so movingly written, you have risen to every challenge and every occasion. Learn More »
At the Joint House and Senate Luncheon in his Honor Hosted by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Standing again in this Capitol – this people’s house of democracy and freedom – whose dome rises above every other building in this capital city of the American Nation, our mind travels back in time to twelve years ago, when both we and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople were honored by this august body with the Congressional Gold Medal. 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 »
A Changeless Faith for A Changing World: Address at Georgetown University
Address of His All Holiness at Georgetown University that discusses themes of non-violence, philanthropy in the form of healthcare, and the environment. Learn More »
At the General Reception and Dinner on the Occasion of the 18th Anniversary of His Enthronement as Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
God is love. Eighteen years ago today, with these simple yet most profound words, the words of the Holy Evangelist John (I John 4:8), we inaugurated our Apostolic ministry as Ecumenical Patriarch. Today, our heart is full of gratitude as share this special occasion in our life as Ecumenical Patriarch with you, the blessed spiritual children of the Mother Church Constantinople. Learn More »
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60 Minutes: His All Holiness on Orthodox Christianity
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The Holy Theological School of Halki
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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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