Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: “Water, an essential component of life on earth and salvation in heaven”

On Friday morning, 30 August 2024, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, before the session of the Holy and Sacred Synod, declared the opening of the work of the International Ecological Conference “Halki Summit VI”, on the subject: “Water: spirit and science”, in the Events Hall of the recently renovated Patriarchal School of Maraslis, next to the building complex of the Patriarchate.

In his speech, delivered in English, His All-Holiness recalled that his ever-remembered predecessor, Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios, established September 1, the day of the beginning of the ecclesiastical year, as the official day of prayer for the protection of God’s Creation. Since then, he continued, the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches and then other Christian denominations — but also the World Council of Churches and the Council of European Churches, and more recently the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church — have adopted this initiative.

He then referred to the ecological initiatives of the Patriarchate, including 9 interdisciplinary Ecological Symposia at sea, in various threatened water ecosystems of the planet. Referring to the present Conference “Halki Summit VI”, the Patriarch pointed out that it promotes and concentrates this accumulated invaluable experience and the delegates will have the opportunity to deal with a wide range of theological and scientific issues related to water and its importance for humankind.

“Water has always been more than just a physical necessity. It has been deeply embedded in the spiritual and religious consciousness of humanity. Across various cultures and religions, water has been perceived as a symbol of life.”, emphasised His All-Holiness, and after extensively referring to the importance that Christianity attaches to water, he referred to the modern challenges the world faces today for its protection and proper management.

“Water has literally become a critical resource in our age. We recognize that water is essential for life, underpinning health, food security, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. However, despite this fundamental and vital importance, we are now facing an escalating global water crisis that demands immediate attention and collective approach.

Globally, well over two billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and more than four billion regularly experience severe water scarcity. The data is staggering and highlights the compelling need to address equitable water accessibility, water quality, and water sustainability. Moreover, the scarcity of clean water disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, further exacerbating inequality and hindering balanced development.

By the same token, climate change is intensifying the water crisis by altering precipitation patterns, increasing the frequency and severity of droughts and floods, while at the same time accelerating the melting of glaciers. These changes disrupt the availability and distribution of freshwater resources, threatening ecosystems and human communities alike”.

As the world’s population continues to grow, His All-Holiness said, the demand for food—and therefore water—will increase dramatically, and he pointed out that efficient and innovative water management practices and sustainable farming techniques are vital to ensuring food security without depleting fresh water resources. He noted that “It is only with collective action and innovative solutions that we will address the challenges of respecting water as an essential component of life on earth and salvation in heaven. Together, we can protect and preserve this precious resource for current and future generations.”

Previously, His All-Holiness and the delegates were welcomed by Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Throne John Chryssavgis, who was responsible for the organisation of the Conference, while short greetings were addressed by Professors Ioannis Kalavrouziotis, President of the Hellenic Open University, in collaboration with which the “Halki Summit VI” is being held, and Volkan Oral, from Istanbul Aydin University.

The opening session was attended by Hierarchs, clergy, theologians, University Professors, specialist scientists and executives of Institutions and Organisations, while the work of the Conference, on the second day, will continue at the Holy Theological School of Halki.

Read the original text of His All-Holiness’ Keynote Address by clicking HERE.