Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in New York, destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In addition to his visit to Notre Dame, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will meet with President Joe Biden and other senior government leaders in Washington, D.C., and raise a cross on the rebuilt St. The Apostolic Visit will inaugurate the Centennial Celebration of the founding of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which will be observed next year across the country. Congress.Įcumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit to the United States this fall, his first in 12 years, marks the 30th anniversary of his election as Ecumenical Patriarch. The recipient of 35 honorary degrees, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was honored in 1997 with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award bestowed by the U.S. Known as the “Green Patriarch,” he has said: “For human beings to destroy God’s creation, degrade the integrity of the earth and contaminate the planet’s waters, land and air - all of these are sins.”

His tenure has been highlighted by ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue - including formal visits with Roman Catholic, Orthodox, other Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders - as well as efforts to promote religious freedom, human rights, and protection of the environment. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was elected the 270th archbishop of Constantinople and ecumenical patriarch in October 1991.

Ecumenical patriarch bartholomew