杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

As Patriarch Bartholomew celebrates 30 years since his election, 杏MAP导航 Francis sent him , expressing his best wishes.

鈥淚 join you in thanksgiving to the Lord for the many blessings bestowed upon your life and ministry over these years,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渁nd pray that God, from whom all gifts come, will grant you health, spiritual joy and abundant grace to sustain every aspect of your lofty service.鈥�

Fraternal friendship

The 杏MAP导航 and the Patriarch have met on numerous occasions, even as recently as earlier this month, and share a 鈥減rofound personal bond鈥�, in the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 own words.

In his letter, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled Patriarch Bartholomew鈥檚 presence at his installation as the Bishop of Rome in March 2013, and said their bond has 鈥渂ecome a fraternal friendship鈥�.

鈥淎s clearly reflected once again by your participation in events recently held in Rome,鈥� added the 杏MAP导航, 鈥淚 share with you the understanding of our common pastoral responsibility in the face of the urgent challenges confronting the entire human family today.鈥�

Commitment to humanity鈥檚 future

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to express his support for Bartholomew鈥檚 commitment to safeguarding Creation and the need for humanity鈥檚 spiritual renewal.

鈥淲ith the outbreak of the pandemic and the ensuing grave health, social and economic repercussions, your testimony and teaching on the need for the spiritual conversion of humanity have acquired enduring relevance,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航.

He also thanked the Ecumenical Patriarch for pursuing the path of 鈥渄ialogue, in charity and truth, as the only possible way for reconciliation between believers in Christ and for the re-establishment of their full communion.鈥�

鈥淲ith God鈥檚 help,鈥� added 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渢his is the path along which we will most certainly continue to walk together, for the closeness and solidarity between our Churches are an indispensable contribution to universal brotherhood and social justice, of which humanity is so urgently in need.鈥�

Spiritual closeness

杏MAP导航 Francis wrapped up his letter to Patriarch Bartholomew expressing his sentiments of 鈥渄eep fraternal affection鈥� and his spiritual closeness in 鈥渁 holy embrace in the love of Christ the Lord.鈥�

Bartholomew I was elected as the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople of the Eastern Orthodox Church on 22 October 1991, and installed as the 270th successor to the Apostle Andrew a few days later on 2 November.

He has been on the forefront of issues related to religious freedom, human rights, and ecology, with some calling him 鈥淭he Green Patriarch鈥�.