Welcoming Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

Floor Speech

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Mr. REED. Mr. President, I want to welcome His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Washington, DC. Since 1991, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has served as the 270th spiritual leader of Orthodox Christianity, the world's second largest Christian denomination with 300 million Orthodox Christians living across the globe, including many in Rhode Island. He is an accomplished scholar, a devoted environmentalist, advocate for peace, and a leader who commands great respect around the world.

Over the past three decades, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has used his position to establish himself as a leading voice on many important issues and is recognized as a powerful force for good within the Orthodox Christian faith and beyond. As part of his efforts to advance cooperation and understanding between Christians, Muslims, and Jews, he has cosponsored international peace conferences and advocated for peace-building efforts in order to promote mutual respect and religious tolerance on a global scale. Sometimes known as the ``Green Patriarch,'' he has also championed environmental protection efforts, including by organizing international, interfaith summits to address climate change and call attention to pressing environmental concerns.

Once again, I join with Rhode Island's vibrant and important Greek community to welcome His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to our Nation's Capital. As the longest serving Ecumenical Patriarch he has cemented himself as an influential leader who is highly respected within Orthodox Christian communities and beyond.

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