At a wide-ranging conversation at the Council on Foreign Relations today, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America urged policymakers, religious leaders, and civil society to resist the temptation to push faith communities to the margins. Instead, he called for sustained dialogue between religion and the public sphere, warning that exclusion fosters alienation—and sometimes radicalization. Ideally,…

At noon on Thursday, 18 September, in the Katholikon of the Holy Monastery of Iviron on Mount Athos, the Funeral Service was celebrated for the ever-memorable Elder Vasilios (Gontikakis), former Abbot of the Monastery of Iviron. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was represented by His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Symi. The Funeral Service was presided…

On Wednesday, 17 September, Elder Vasilios Gontikakis, former Abbot of the Monastery of Iviron (1990–2005) and the Monastery of Stavronikita (1968–1990), fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 90. The late elder was an emblematic contemporary figure of monasticism on Mount Athos, as well as an important theologian with an international presence and…

After spending the last three days in Washington, D.C., today His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew continued his Apostolic Visit to the U.S. in New York City. There, His All-Holiness celebrated a Doxology service at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church & National Shrine, returning to the Ground Zero parish where he performed the Thyranoixia (Door-Opening) upon…

In a room filled with political figures, church leaders, and supporters of the Greek Orthodox faith, a grand reception on Tuesday night honored His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, hosted by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation and Archon John S. Koudounis. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America accompanied His All-Holiness alongside members of the Holy Eparchial…

Following his morning meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, Virginia for a welcome Doxology and blessing of the faithful. Though clouds and a consistent drizzle marked the day, spirits were high as the parish’s children gathered outside the church wearing traditional Greek…

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Remarks at Bilateral Meeting and Bipartisan, Bicameral Luncheon in honor of His All-Holiness, hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson Rayburn Reception Room, United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. September 17, 2025 Mr. Speaker, the Honorable Michael Johnson, Distinguished Members of the United States Government, Your Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Esteemed Hierarchs,…

This morning, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew began the Apostolic Visit’s last day in Washington, D.C. with a bilateral meeting with Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. At the U.S. Capitol Building, a bipartisan, bicameral luncheon in honor of His All-Holiness took place following the meeting. In his remarks at the luncheon,…

His Beatitude Theophilos III, The Patriarch of Jerusalem, participated today in the 8th Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan at the gracious invitation of His Excellency Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where he delivered a profound address on the sacred vocation of inter religious dialogue and…