Russian Spy Chiefs Attack Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said he fears nothing as long as he has the support of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, responding to a statement condemning attacks against him by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service.

“I personally, having you as my supporters, have nothing to fear,” the Ecumenical Patriarch said, commenting on a declaration by the Brotherhood of Archons of the Ecumenical Throne. The Brotherhood denounced the Russian statement as containing “unethical attacks,” “insults,” and “falsehoods” against Patriarch Bartholomew.

The Brotherhood of Officials of the Ecumenical Patriarchate “Panagia Pammakaristos” read its joint communiqué during its annual dinner in the presence of Patriarch Bartholomew and distinguished guests. The statement said the Russian intelligence announcement targets the Ecumenical Patriarch and, through its harsh language, places even his personal safety at risk.

The Brotherhood called on all Orthodox Christian Churches, confessions, and ecumenical organizations to condemn what it described as tactics of disinformation and slander against the Ecumenical Patriarch by political or ecclesiastical centers that, through their words and conduct, show no respect for what is sacred. The communiqué affirmed respect for the doctrinal and canonical tradition safeguarded by the Ecumenical Throne of Constantinople.

Athanassios Martinos, President of the Brotherhood of Archons, welcomed Patriarch Bartholomew with the phrase “Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” describing the attacks against him as inappropriate.

In his keynote address, constitutional law professor and former Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos spoke about the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s witness to the world amid international challenges. He emphasized the distinction between autocephaly and ethnophyletism, stressing that the Patriarchate expresses an Orthodoxy of peace, reconciliation, human rights, and ecological sensitivity, rather than domination, authoritarianism, or totalitarianism.

Venizelos highlighted the global significance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, noting that Orthodox Christians represent about four percent of the world’s population. He described the Phanar as both humble and radiant, carrying the primacy borne by the Ecumenical Patriarch as first among Orthodox bishops. He said Western Christianity cannot exist without its Eastern Christian dimension, which forms a foundational element of the West.

Earlier, Patriarch Bartholomew addressed the role of the Archons, recalling his initiatives during the early days of his patriarchate to establish the Brotherhood “Panagia Pammakaristos.” He said the Archons have supported the institution for 35 years, following the example of their predecessors in Byzantine times and after the Fall of Constantinople, when they served as indispensable supporters of the Great Church.

The Ecumenical Patriarch also referred to his outward-looking initiatives that opened the Patriarchate to the world and to Turkish society. He said the Patriarchate informed Turkish public opinion about its identity and mission, overcoming past introversion. He noted that the President of the Republic of Turkey shows respect for the institution and regularly invites him to official events.

“The Orthodox faith remains a source of inspiration and creativity in all aspects of social life,” Patriarch Bartholomew said. He stressed that the Church never remained indifferent to the challenges of each era and continues to proclaim respect for human dignity, peace, and responsibility toward society, politics, and the economy.

Earlier in the afternoon, Patriarch Bartholomew visited an exhibition by the Philoptochos Brotherhood of Thessaloniki, focusing on its early years and its contribution to social welfare, education, health, and national causes. He toured the exhibition with its president, Georgios Konstantinidis.

Patriarch Bartholomew attended the events accompanied by senior hierarchs, government officials, members of parliament, and local authorities, including the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, deputy ministers, the Mayor of Thessaloniki, and representatives of Mount Athos.