Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Washington

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has arrived successful Washington starting his 12-day apostolic visit to the United States – a travel that unites diplomatic engagement with the pastoral and spiritual ngo of the Mother Church.

The authoritative welcome ceremonial took spot astatine Joint Base Andrews, where the patriarch was received by the US main of protocol. Present were Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, members of the Holy Synod, authorities officials and representatives of the Greek-American assemblage reflecting the profound ecclesial and nationalist value of this historical visit.

In Washington, Bartholomew will enactment successful a bid of high-level meetings, including a gathering of large value with President Donald Trump successful the Oval Office astatine 2 p.m. Washington clip connected Monday.

The pursuing time helium will laic a wreath astatine the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier astatine Arlington National Cemetery, accompanied by the commanding wide of the US Army Forces Command, General Andrew Poppas. Then helium will be the luncheon hosted by Ekaterini Nassika, ambassador of Greece to the United States. An authoritative meal astatine the State Department, hosted successful his grant by Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas, will follow.

He will besides be a Congressional luncheon hosted by House Speaker Mike Johnson, with information from members of some parties, and a reception astatine St Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church successful Virginia, offering a pastoral blessing of the faithful of the Greater Washington Area.

On Thursday, the Patriarch will travel to New York for a landmark visit to the St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church astatine Ground Zero, a symbol of resurrection and anticipation for the Greek-American community, a task helium has supported from its inception and will present behold completed. There, the patriarch will preside implicit the Doxology, conscionable with young Orthodox leaders and take portion successful solemn commemorations honoring the archetypal responders and the victims of September 11.

His All Holiness will besides conscionable with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and present an code astatine the Council connected Foreign Relations, 1 of the astir influential think tanks successful the United States.

The visit is occasioned by the conferral of the internationally prestigious Templeton Prize, recognizing the patriarch’s decades-long enactment successful promoting spiritual freedom, interfaith dialog and biology stewardship. The grant ceremonial will take spot connected September 24 astatine Lincoln Center, with distinguished guests including Jane Goodall, erstwhile US vice president Al Gore and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Additionally, the patriarch will visit the Hamptons, participating successful World Cleanup Day with marine researchers from Stony Brook University and receiving the institution’s highest medal. He will besides observe liturgies alongside Orthodox hierarchs from crossed the United States, emphasizing his pastoral ngo and committedness to the faithful.

Throughout his meetings with elder authorities officials, Bartholomew is expected to code vital issues including spiritual freedom, the war successful Ukraine, and the situation of Christian communities successful the Middle East, underscoring the Church’s voice successful the nationalist and motivation sphere.