Bartholomew I ‘s birth name was born Dimitrios Arhondonis on February 29, 1940, in the village of Agios Theodoros on the island of Imvros (Gökçeada), which is now part of Turkey.
He studied theology in Istanbul and at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. He was ordained a deacon in 1961 and a priest in 1969. In 1973, he was consecrated Bishop of Smyrna, and in 1990, he was elected Metropolitan of Chalcedon.
As Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I has worked to promote interfaith dialogue and environmental awareness and has been an advocate for the rights of religious minorities in Turkey. He has also been active in efforts to heal the divisions between the Eastern Orthodox Church and other Christian churches.
“Bartholomew I” has received numerous honors and awards for his contributions to interfaith dialogue and environmentalism, including the Sophie Prize, the Niwano Peace Prize, and the UNEP Champions of the Earth award. He is fluent in several languages, including Greek, Turkish, Italian, and English.
Throughout his tenure as Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I has sought to strengthen the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Eastern Orthodox Church and to promote greater unity among the autocephalous churches. He has also been involved in efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in the Balkans, the Middle East, and other regions of the world.
In 2002, Bartholomew I hosted a historic meeting in Assisi, Italy, between leaders of various religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism. The gathering was aimed at promoting peace and understanding among different faiths.
Bartholomew I has also been a vocal advocate for environmentalism and has been dubbed the “Green Patriarch” for his efforts in this area. In 1989, he established the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Department of Environmental Studies, and in 2002, he organized the first-ever symposium on religion and ecology, bringing together scientists, religious leaders, and environmental activists from around the world to discuss environmental issues from a faith-based perspective.
In addition to his religious and environmental work, Bartholomew I has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey, where the Orthodox Church has faced various challenges over the years. He has also been involved in efforts to promote human rights, including religious freedom, in Turkey and around the world.
Bartholomew I is widely respected both within and outside of the Eastern Orthodox Church for his leadership and contributions to interfaith dialogue, environmentalism, and human rights.
