The Ecumenical Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church

At the Metropolitan Museum of New York, Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW inaugurated an exhibition of icons and sacred objects by the title “Byzantium, Faith and Power” (1261-1557). Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW and Archbishop DEMETRIOS of America stare with admiration at the double-sided Byzantine icon of Virgin Pausolype, which was transported to the exhibition from the Catholicon of the Holy Trinity Monastery of Halki (15 March 2004).

On the occasion of the first visit of Ecumenical Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW to the Metropolis of New Jersey, a celebration was organized in his honor by the youth at the Cultural Centre of the church of the Holy Trinity in Westfield. The Patriarch is surrounded by Archbishop DEMETRIOS, Metropolitan EVANGELOS of New Jersey, Community officials and young people in traditional costumes (13 March 2004).

His All Holiness, BARTHOLOMEW, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch is the 270th successor of the 2,000 year-old local Christian Church founded by Saint Andrew. As a citizen of Turkey, Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW’s personal experience provides him a unique perspective on the continuing dialogue among the Christian, Islamic and Jewish worlds. He works to advance reconciliation among Catholic, Muslim and Orthodox communities, such as in former Yugoslavia, and is supportive of peace building measures to diffuse global conflict in the region.

As Archbishop of Constantinople and New Rome, Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW occupies the First Throne of the Orthodox Christian Church and presides in a fraternal spirit among all the Orthodox Primates. The Ecumenical Patriarch has the historical and theological responsibility to initiate and coordinate actions among the Churches of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Russia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Albania, The Czech Land and Slovakia, Finland, Estonia, and numerous archdioceses in the old and new worlds. This includes the convening of councils or meetings, facilitating inter-church and inter-faith dialogues and serving as the primary expresser of Church unity as a whole. As Ecumenical Patriarch he transcends every national and ethnic group on a global level and today is the spiritual leader of approximately 250 million faithful world-wide.

Ss Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church
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