“every bishop, like every layman, is a witness to Christ crucified and risen, and that this witness has to be everywhere and always—among one’s own flock and among the people outside the bounds of the Church.

“every bishop bears witness to Christ Crucified and Risen both among his own flock and among those outside the Church

“Here you received the first degree of Holy Orders. Not to be served, but to seek human glory, but to shepherd the spiritual flock of Christ’s Church.

“Here you received the first degree of the priesthood. Not to be served, but to serve; not to seek human glory, but to shepherd the spiritual flock of the Church of Christ,

“because every holy bishop is a witness to Christ crucified and risen.

“Let us ask the Panagia to teach us to bring more Christ into our lives

“The words Jesus alone were inscribed forever upon my soul and have served as a compass throughout my life. My spiritual father earnestly urged me, as I became a cleric, to look only to Jesus.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I ›

the Ecumenical Patriarch

Direct quote

“The Church calls us to forgive all the faults of our fellow human beings. In this way, we free our souls from the painful bonds of selfishness and revenge so that we may receive the Holy Eucharist.