- Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople
-
His All Holiness
Bartholomew IEcumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Church Church of Constantinople Enthroned 2 November 1991 Reign ended Incumbent Predecessor Demetrios I Personal details Birth name Dimitrios Arhondonis (Δημήτριος Αρχοντώνης - Dimítrios Archontónis) Born 29 February 1940
Aghios Theodoros (Zeytinli Köyü), Imbros (Gökçeada), TurkeyNationality Turkish Denomination Eastern Orthodox Christianity Residence Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Fener, Istanbul, Turkey Parents Christos (father) and Merope (mother) Archontónis Occupation Ecumenical Patriarch Profession Theologian Alma mater Patriarchal Theological school (Halki seminary) Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I (Greek: Οἰκουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαῖος Α', Turkish: Patrik I. Bartolomeos) (born 29 February 1940) is the Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch,[1] and thus "first among equals" in the Eastern Orthodox Communion, since 2 November 1991.[2][3][4][5] Named one of the 2005 Champions of the Earth.
Contents
Early life and career
Bartholomew I was born in the village of Zeytinli (Άγιος Θεόδωρος) in the island of Gökçeada (Ίμβρος Imvros in Greek), son of Christos and Merope Archontónis. His secular birth name is Dimitrios Arhondonis (Δημήτριος Αρχοντώνης, Dimítrios Archontónis). By citizenship his nationality is Turkish and he belongs ethnically to the small remnants of the native Greek community in Turkey.
Dimitrios Archontonis attended elementary school in his native Imvros and continued his secondary education in the famous Zographeion Lyceum in Istanbul. Soon afterwards, he studied Theology as an undergraduate at the Patriarchal Theological school or Halki seminary, from which he graduated with highest honours in 1961, and was immediately ordained deacon, receiving the name Bartholomew. Bartholomew fulfilled his military service in the Turkish army as a non regular officer between 1961 and 1963. From 1963 to 1968, Bartholomew pursued his postgraduate studies at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey in Switzerland and the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich in Germany. His doctoral research was on the Canon Law. The same year he became a lecturer in the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
After returning to Istanbul in 1968, he took a position at the Patriarchal Theological Seminary of Halki, where he was ordained a priest in 1969, by Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I. When Demetrius I became Ecumenical Patriarch in 1972 and established the Patriarchal Office, he selected Bartholomew as its director. On Christmas of 1973, Bartholomew became Metropolitan of Philadelphia, and was renamed as director of the patriarchal office until his enthronement as Metropolitan of Chalcedon in 1990. From March 1974 until his enthronement as Ecumenical Patriarch, he was a member of the Holy Synod as well as of many Synodical Committees.
He speaks Greek, Turkish, Italian, German, French and English; he is also fluent in classical Greek and Latin.
Accomplishments
As Ecumenical Patriarch, he has been particularly active internationally. One of his first focuses has been on rebuilding the once-persecuted Eastern Orthodox Churches of the former Eastern Bloc following the fall of Communism there in 1990. As part of this effort he has worked to strengthen ties amongst the various national Churches and Patriarchates of the Eastern Orthodox Communion. He has also continued the reconciliation dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church started by his predecessors, and initiated dialogue with other faiths, including other Christian sects, Muslims, and Jews.[6][7]
He has also gained a reputation as a prominent environmentalist, putting the support of the Patriarchate behind various international environmental causes. This has earned him the nicknames of "the Green Patriarch" and "the Green Pope"[2][8] and in 2002 he was honored with the Sophie Prize. He has also been honoured with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award which may be bestowed by the Legislative Branch of the United States government.
Bartholomew I, after his attempts to celebrate the Liturgy in remote areas of the country, thereby renewing the Orthodox presence, which was absent since before 1924, has now come under intense pressure from Turkish nationalist elements. The patriarchal Seminary of Halki in the Princes' Islands remains closed since 1971 on government orders.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's tenure has been characterized by inter-Orthodox cooperation, inter-Christian and inter-religious dialog, as well as by formal trips to Orthodox and Muslim countries seldom previously visited. He has exchanged numerous invitations of Church and State dignitaries. His efforts to promote religious freedom and human rights, his initiatives to advance religious tolerance among the world’s religions has been widely noted. Among his many positions, he currently sits on the Board of World Religious Leaders for the Elijah Interfaith Institute[9]
During his trip to Turkey in November 2006, Pope Benedict XVI traveled to Istanbul on the invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I. The Pope participated in the feast day services of St. Andrew the First Apostle, the patron saint of the Church of Constantinople. This was the third official visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate by a Pope (the first being by Paul VI in 1967, and the second by John Paul II in 1979).
In an interview published on 19 November 2006 in the daily newspaper Sabah, Bartholomew I addressed the issues of religious freedom and the upcoming papal trip to Turkey. He also referred to the closing of the Halki seminary by saying: "As Turkish citizens, we pay taxes. We serve in the military. We vote. As citizens we do everything. We want the same rights. But it does not happen... If Muslims want to study theology, there are 24 theology faculties. Where are we going to study?" He also addressed the issue of his Ecumenical title and its not being accepted by the Turkish government: "We've had this title since the 6th century... The word ecumenical has no political content. [...] This title is the only thing that I insist on. I will never renounce this title."[10][11]
Titles
Styles of
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of ConstantinopleReference style His All Holiness Spoken style Your All Holiness Religious style Ecumenical Patriarch Posthumous style N/A The official title of the Ecumenical Patriarch is:
His All Holiness, Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch;
in Greek:
Η Αυτού Θειοτάτη Παναγιότης ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Κωνσταντινουπόλεως Νέας Ρώμης και Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος Α'
The official title recognized by the Republic of Turkey is:
Bartholomew I, Patriarch of the Fener Rum Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul
Personally, he is happy with just "Bartholomew" [4].
Awards, honours and distinctions
In 1997, His All Holiness received the Congressional Gold Medal. The Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom are the highest civilian awards given by the United States.[12]
In 2002, His All Holiness received the Sophie Prize for his work on the environment.[13]
In April 2008, he was included on the Time 100 most influential people in the world list.[14] In 1999 he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania; in 2004, by Federal President Thomas Klestil, the Great Golden Medal with Ribbon for Services to the Republic of Austria and on 13 March 2007, the third anniversary of the death of Cardinal Franz König, Bartholomew was awarded in Vienna's St. Stephen the "Cardinal König Prize" Foundation "Communio et Progressio".
He has been awarded honorary doctorates by a number of universities and educational institutions around the world, among them: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, TEI of Kavala, Democritus University of Thrace, University of Crete, University of Ioannina, University of the Aegean , University of Western Macedonia and University of Thessaly in Greece, Moscow State University in Russia, University of Iaşi in Romania, City University of London, Exeter University and University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute and Université de Provence Aix-Marseille I in France, University of Bucharest in Romania, Flinders University in Australia, Adamson University in the Philippines, St. Andrew’s College and Sherbrooke University in Canada, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Georgetown University, Tufts University, Southern Methodist University, Yale University, Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in the United States.
In October 2009, His All Holiness received an honorary doctorate from Fordham University in the United States.[15]
On October 22, 2011, His All Holiness received the Grand Collar of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia and the Seamless Tunic of Our Lord Jesus Christ by HRH Prince David Bagrationi of Mukhran in a ceremony at St. George's chapel.[16]
Ordinations
- 13 August 1961, Diaconate, receiving the ecclesiastical name Bartholomew
- 19 October 1969, Priesthood
- Christmas 1973, Metropolitan of Philadelphia (Asia Minor)
- 14 January 1990, Enthronement as Metropolitan of Chalcedon
- 22 October 1991, Elected 270th Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
- 2 November 1991, Enthronement in the Patriarchal Cathedral in the Phanar
See also
- List of Ecumenical Patriarchs of Constantinople
- Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
- Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
- Mount Athos
- Orthodox Church
- History of the Eastern Orthodox Church
- Church of St George, Istanbul
- Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
- Patriarch Athenagoras I of Constantinople
- Leaders of Christianity
References
- ^ John Meyendorff, John Chapin, Nicolas Lossky(1981), The Orthodox Church: its past and its role in the world today, Crestwood, N.Y. : St Vladimir's Seminary Press, p.132 ISBN 0913836818
- ^ a b Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: insights into an Orthodox Christian worldview (2007) John Chryssavgis International Journal of Environmental Studies, 64, (1);pp: 9 - 18
- ^ "Ecumenical Patriarch of the Worldwide Orthodox Christian Church Meets with American Bible Society Leaders". Religious News Service. July 17, 2007. http://www.religionnews.com/press02/PR071707.html.
- ^ "American Bible Society Sees Potential in Blossoming Greek Orthodox Relations". The Christian Post. July 23, 2007. http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070723/28575_American_Bible_Society_Sees_Potential_in_Blossoming_Greek_Orthodox_Relations.htm.
- ^ "The Patriarch". Time. 29 July 2007. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,860404,00.html.
- ^ Patriarch Bartholomew I: Texts and Speeches (1991-1992) (1998) George C. Papademetriou; Journal of Ecumenical Studies 35
- ^ Recent Patriarchal Encyclicals on Religious Tolerance and Peaceful Coexistence (2002) George C. Papademetriou Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 39
- ^ http://www.patriarchate.org/multimedia/video/green-patriarch
- ^ The Elijah Interfaith Institute - Christian Members of the Board of World Religious Leaders
- ^ "Derin devlet açtırmıyor" (in Turkish). http://arsiv.sabah.com.tr/2006/11/19/gnd119.html. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
- ^ in English
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Bartholomew I by Archbishop Rowan Williams Time (magazine) Retrieved on 1 May 2008
- ^ [3]
- ^ "THE PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE DECORATED BY THE HEAD OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF GEORGIA". Royal House of Georgia. http://www.royalhouseofgeorgia.ge/news/Offical-Events/The-Patriarch-of-Constantinople-decorated-by-the-Head-of-the-Royal-House-of-Georgia. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
External links
- Official biography
- Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: A Passion for Peace
- A Patriarch in Dire Straits by John Couretas, director of communications at the Acton Institute and executive director of the American Orthodox Institute.
Orthodox Church titles Preceded by
UnknownMetropolitan of Philadelphia
1973–1990Succeeded by
Meliton (Karas)Preceded by
Meliton (Hadjis)Metropolitan of Chalcedon
1990–1991Succeeded by
Joachim (Neradjoulis)Preceded by
Demetrius IEcumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
1991–presentSucceeded by
IncumbentRegnal titles Preceded by
Demetrius ICo-Head of State of Mount Athos
1991–presentSucceeded by
IncumbentBishops of Byzantium and Patriarchs of Constantinople Bishops of Byzantium
(to 330 AD)Saint Andrew · Stachys · Onesimus · Polycarpus I · Plutarch · Sedecion · Diogenes · Eleutherius · Felix · Polycarpus II · Athenodorus · Euzois · Laurence · Alypius · Pertinax · Olympianus · Marcus I · Philadelphus · Cyriacus I · Castinus · Eugenius I · Titus · Dometius · Rufinus · Probus · Metrophanes · AlexanderArchbishops of Constantinople
(330–451 AD)Alexander · Paul I · Eusebius · Macedonius I · Eudoxius · Evagrius · Demophilus · Maximus I · Gregory I · Nectarius · John I Chrysostom · Arsacius · Atticus · Sisinnius I · Nestorius · Maximianus · Proclus · Flavian · AnatoliusPatriarchs of Constantinople
Byzantine period (451–1453 AD)Anatolius · Gennadius I · Acacius · Fravitta · Euphemius · Macedonius II · Timothy I · John II · Epiphanius · Anthimus I · Menas · Eutychius · John III · John IV · Cyriacus II · Thomas I · Sergius I · Pyrrhus · Paul II · Peter · Thomas II · John V · Constantine I · Theodore I · George I · Paul III · Callinicus I · Cyrus · John VI · Germanus I · Anastasius · Constantine II · Nicetas I · Paul IV · Tarasius · Nicephorus I · Theodotus I · Antony I · John VII · Methodius I · Ignatius · Photius I · Stephen I · Antony II · Nicholas I · Εuthymius I · Stephen II · Tryphon · Theophylact · Polyeuctus · Βasil I · Αntony III · Nicholas II · Sisinnius II · Sergius II · Eustathius · Alexius · Michael I · Constantine III · John VIII · Cosmas I · Eustratius · Nicholas III · John IX · Leon · Michael II · Cosmas II · Nicholas IV · Theodotus II · Neophytus I · Constantine IV · Luke · Michael III · Chariton · Theodosius I · Basil II · Nicetas II · Leontius · Dositheus · George II · John X · Michael IV† · Theodore II† · Maximus II† · Μanuel I† · Germanus II† · Methodius II† · Manuel II† · Arsenius† · Nicephorus II† · Germanus III · Joseph I · John XI · Gregory II · Athanasius I · John XII · Nephon I · John XIII · Gerasimus I · Isaias · John XIV · Isidore I · Callistus I · Philotheus · Macarius · Nilus · Antony IV · Callistus II · Matthew I · Euthymius II · Joseph II · Metrophanes II · Gregory III · Athanasius IIPatriarchs of Constantinople
Ottoman period (1453–1923 AD)Gennadius II · Isidore II · Joasaph I · Sophronius I · Mark II · Symeon I · Dionysius I · Raphael I · Maximus III · Nephon II · Maximus IV · Joachim I · Pachomius I · Theoleptus I · Jeremias I · Joannicius I · Dionysius II · Joasaph II · Metrophanes III · Jeremias II · Pachomius II · Theoleptus II · Matthew II · Gabriel I · Theophanes I · Meletius I · Neophytus II · Raphael II · Cyril I · Timothy II · Gregory IV · Anthimus II · Cyril II · Athanasius III · Neophytus III · Parthenius I · Parthenius II · Joannicius II · Cyril III · Paisius I · Parthenius III · Gabriel II · Parthenius IV · Dionysius III · Clement · Methodius III · Dionysius IV · Gerasimus II · Athanasius IV · James · Callinicus II · Neophytus IV · Gabriel III · Neophytus V · Cyprianus · Athanasius V · Cyril IV · Cosmas III · Jeremias III · Callinicus III‡ · Paisius II · Serapheim I · Neophytus VI · Cyril V · Callinicus IV (III) · Serapheim II · Joannicius III · Samuel · Meletius II · Theodosius II · Sophronius II · Gabriel IV · Procopius · Neophytus VII · Gerasimus III · Gregory V · Callinicus V (IV) · Jeremias IV · Cyril VI · Eugenius II · Anthimus III · Chrysanthus · Agathangelus · Constantius I · Constantius II · Gregory VI · Anthimus IV · Anthimus V · Germanus IV · Meletius III · Anthimus VI · Cyril VII · Joachim II · Sophronius III · Joachim III · Joachim IV · Dionysius V · Neophytus VIII · Anthimus VII · Constantine V · Germanus V · Meletius IVPatriarchs of Constantinople
Modern period (since 1923 AD)Gregory VII · Constantine VI · Basil III · Photius II · Benjamin · Maximus V · Athenagoras · Demetrius · Bartholomew† in exile at Nicaea ‡ sometimes not counted among the patriarchsCurrent Eastern Orthodox Patriarchs, Metropolitans and Archbishops Patriarchates Patriarch Bartholomew I (Cons.) · Patriarch Theodoros II (Alex.) · Patriarch Ignatius IV (Ant.) · Patriarch Theophilos III (Jeru.)Other Patriarch Kirill (RU) · Patriarch Irinej (RS) · Patriarch Daniel (RO) · Patriarch Maxim (BG) · Patriarch Ilia II (GE)Autocephalous
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