Patriarch Bartholomew Visits New York, Meets UN Secretary-General António Guterres

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew continued his official visit to the United States with a stop in New York, following a three-day stay in Washington.

On Thursday, the Patriarch presided over a service at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at Ground Zero, returning to the parish where he had led the opening of its doors during his previous visit in 2021.

Speaking at the site, Bartholomew described the “eternal mission” of the Memorial, highlighting its role as a sanctuary for people of diverse faiths and backgrounds. “From the Bosphorus to the Hudson River, we are all citizens of an inhabited land that is home to all of us,” he said, according to Greek public broadcaster ERT.

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America reflected on the Patriarch’s 2021 prayer that the “miraculous hand” of St. Nicholas would bring “health, prosperity, and every spiritual lesson.” He noted that this blessing has since been fulfilled, adding that the shrine has become “a place of pilgrimage for the thousands of faithful who flock to this historic site for solace.”

Following the service, the Ecumenical Patriarch visited the United Nations headquarters, where he held talks with Secretary-General António Guterres. The meeting was described as warm and constructive, with discussions focusing on dialogue between peoples, religions, and cultures, as well as shared initiatives for peace and understanding.