Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was born February 29, 1940, in the village of Aghioi Theodoroi on the Aegean island of Imvros (Turkey), to Christos and Meropi Archontonis who christened him Demetrios.  He attended the Grade School of his village,  the Zografeio Middle School / High School in Constantinople, and the Central School of Imvros.  He then studied at the Holy Theological School of Halki, the Institute of Oriental Studies in Rome, the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, and the University of Munich.  His All Holiness speaks seven languages.

He was ordained Deacon in 1961, Elder in 1969 and Metropolitan of Philadelphia in 1973. In 1990 he was promoted to Metropolitan Elder of Chalcedon and on October 22, 1991 he was elected Ecumenical Patriarch.

Between the years 1961-1963 he fulfilled his mandatory military service.

He was the Director of the Special Office of His immediate predecessor, Patriarch Dimitrios, throughout His Patriarchate (1972-1991).

Since His election as Ecumenical Patriarch, he has been working to strengthen pan-Orthodox unity and cooperation. For this purpose he established the Synacis of the Orthodox Primates and made many visits to them, as well as inviting them and welcoming them to His Holy Chair in the Phanar. He convened the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church, which took place in Crete, in June 2016, and presided over its work. He also promotes ecumenical dialogue with the other Christian Churches and Confessions, visiting their headquarters and participating in inter-Christian conferences and anniversary events.

During his Patriarchate he was received by many heads of state and government, many of whom officially visited His All Holiness at the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He was invited and gave speeches at the European Parliament (1994, 2008), the Council of Europe (2007), UNESCO, the Forum 2000 in Prague (2019), the World Economic Forum in Davos (1999, 2020), etc.

He has been awarded the highest honors of many states, including the Congressional Gold Medal, as well as the title of honorary doctorate from many University Institutions around the world.

Since 2004, he has expanded the Holy and Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, extending an invitation to the Hierarchs of the Throne outside of Turkey to participate in it. Furthermore, he convened several Synods of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

He also established regular pilgrimage visits to Cappadocia and other "extinguished lamps" in Asia Minor and Eastern Thrace, where, after many decades, holy services were held, culminating in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the historic Holy Monastery of Panagia Sumela (8/15/2010), which continued until 2015.

He has visited most Eparchies of the Throne throughout the world, blessing and strengthening the pastoral work carried out in them. Also, following His suggestion, new Metropolitans were established by the Holy and Holy Synod.

On His initiative, the "Anniversary of the Ecumenical Patriarchate" has been published since the 90s, and the official information magazine of the Mother Church, "Orthodoxia", was also republished.

Immediately after his election, he arranged for the reopening of the Holy Theological School of Halki, which has remained "silent" since 1971, and to achieve this just goal he continues his efforts unabated.

At the same time, he works systematically, in the context of the interest of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, since the time of Patriarch Dimitrios, to raise the awareness of States and peoples with the aim of preserving Creation and protecting the natural environment, convening, among other things, Ecological Seminars in Halki and many International Symposia at sea in various parts of the world.

For more information about the Ecumenical Patriarchate please visit their homepage at https://ec-patr.org.

Source:  https://ec-patr.org/o-patriarxis/viografiko/