Patriarch Bartholomew speaks in Greek Parliament
Patriarch Bartholomew in the Greek Parliament. Photo: UOJ in Greece
On May 5, 2026, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople delivered a speech in the Greek Parliament, reports the UOJ in Greece.
In his address, Patriarch Bartholomew touched upon several key themes, drawing from contemporary conflicts – the war in Ukraine and in the Middle East – and general international instability.
He emphasized that peace has never been something taken for granted in human history, but has always been the result of struggle, courage, and conscious choice. He stated that religions must act as factors of peace rather than fuel fanaticism, and insisted on the importance of interfaith cooperation.
One of the central theses of the speech was criticism of the contemporary international situation. Patriarch Bartholomew noted that in the modern world, power politics and pragmatic state interests often prevail over international law and even over the UN Charter, which is based on the principle of peaceful resolution of disputes. In his opinion, this presents a serious problem for global peace.
Additionally, the Patriarch:
- emphasized the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the foundation of common values;
- developed the theme of the significance of the Greek language and Greek culture in shaping world thought;
- defended Christian anthropology – the idea of man as a person with absolute dignity;
- highlighted the Church's contribution to preserving education and culture;
- developed the ecological dimension, asserting that economics must respect the environment.
Patriarch Bartholomew particularly noted the role of the Greek language as the "mother tongue of the spirit." According to him, "the Greek language and Orthodox faith belong to the core of the spiritual and cultural identity of our people."
The Ecumenical Patriarch also referenced the Council of Crete in 2016, stating that "the word of the Church has always been and will forever remain a proper intervention in defense of a human." He emphasized that the Ecumenical Patriarchate fights against racism, discrimination, and modern forms of slavery, and also opposes forces that undermine social cohesion and peace.
The central conclusion of the speech was the assertion that peace, justice, and respect for human dignity require a common moral and spiritual foundation – beyond political and geopolitical considerations.
We remind that earlier the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew justified the Tomos of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine with an ecological agenda.
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