Today marks the 85th birthday of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, a prominent leader in global Christianity.
Originally named Demetrios Arhondonis, he was born on the island of Imbros and became the Ecumenical Patriarch in October 1991.
Throughout his leadership, he has become a significant global figure, influencing beyond Orthodox Christianity.
Dubbed the “Green Patriarch” due to his strong environmental advocacy, he emphasizes the protection of nature as both a spiritual and moral duty.
From the outset of his patriarchy, he has focused on fostering interfaith dialogue. Patriarch Bartholomew has met with Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, advancing relations between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. In 2016, he organized the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church in Crete, the first of its kind in centuries.
His term has been shaped by various diplomatic issues, including:
- Enduring pressure from Turkey on the Patriarchate, notably the 1971 closure of the Halki Theological School.
- Strains with the Moscow Patriarchate, particularly following the 2019 granting of independence to the Church of Ukraine, which disrupted Eucharistic communion with the Russian Orthodox Church.
- Balancing relations with other independent Orthodox Churches while upholding the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s primacy.
With more than three decades on the patriarchal throne, Patriarch Bartholomew is the longest-serving Ecumenical Patriarch since the 18th century. He has positioned the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a global entity, addressing issues beyond church matters, and has bolstered Orthodoxy’s international standing.
His extensive tenure distinguishes him as one of the most impactful Ecumenical Patriarchs in recent history, leaving a legacy poised to influence the Orthodox Church and worldwide Christianity for years to come.