“I thank the most gracious God for the supreme gift of the priesthood: eight years as a deacon, four as a priest, 18 as a metropolitan and 35 as Ecumenical Patriarch, in the service of the entire Christian community under the dominion of the Lord, of the Great Church, of inter-Orthodox cooperation, inter-Christian and interreligious dialogues, peace and solidarity, the protection of the natural environment and the encounter between the Church and the contemporary world,

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I ›

His All-Holiness

Direct quote

“During these twelve years, the Lord has entrusted Your Beatitude with the care of His flock during extraordinarily difficult trials. Amid all these trials, Your unwavering ministry has been a witness to the undying hope that we find in Christ, who remains the Good Shepherd of His people

“I prayerfully wish Your Beatitude God’s help in all things. May the All-Good Lord, through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother and all the saints, strengthen you in your primatial ministry to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and preserve you in good health for many blessed years!

“Your Beatitude, adorned with the noble labor of monastic life and wise archpastoral ministry, you are for all of us an example of sincere steadfastness in the Truth.

“The Church of Alexandria sincerely, wholeheartedly and with one mind supports the inter-Orthodox and interreligious initiatives of Your All-Holiness,

“Your Beatitude, our dear brother and co-celebrant in Christ! We send you our sincere congratulations on the anniversary of your enthronement as Metropolitan of Kyiv and all Ukraine

“Peace to you!