Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: “The contemporary ecological crisis impacts first and foremost the poorer inhabitants on earth.”

With particular splendour, in accordance with the centuries-old ecclesiastical order and tradition, on Sunday, 1 September 2024, at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the beginning of the Indiction – the ecclesiastical New Year – and the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos Pammakaristos, whose holy icon is kept in the Venerable Patriarchal Church. The Mother Church has dedicated this day, since 1989, to praying for the protection of the natural environment.

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew officiated at the Divine Liturgy from the Throne and was joined by the following Hierarchs: Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia, Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi, Elder Metropolitan Dimitrios of Princes’ Islands, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Vryoula, Metropolitan Jeremiah of Ancyra, Archbishop Soritios of Canada, Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Metropolitan Athenagoras of (Bizye) Vize, Metropolitan Ambrosios of Karpathos and Kasos, Metropolitan Apostolos of Miletus, Metropolitan Makarios of Anea, Metropolitan Jospeh of Proikonnisos, Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, Metropolitan Seraphim of Sevasteia, Metropolitan Damaskinos of Didymoteicho, Orestiada and Soufli, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Xanthi, Metropolitan Eusebios of Samos and Ikaria, Metropolitan Irinaios of Myriophytos and Peristasis, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra, Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, Metropolitan Athanasios of Koloneia, Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea, Metropolitan Theoliptos of Iconium, Metropolitan Nikodemos of Kassandreia, Metropolitan Nikandros of Eirinoupolis, Metropolitan Theologos of Serres and Nigrita, Metropolitan Andreas of Arkalohori, Kastelli and Vianos, Metropolitan Makarios of Sidirokastro, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Metropolitan Joel of Edessa and Pella, Metropolitan Evangelos of Sardis, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Rhodes, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Eleftheroupolis, Metropolitan Pavlos of Servia and Kozani, Metropolitan Barnabas of Neapolis and Stavroupolis, Metropolitan Arsenios of Kuopio and Karelia, Metropolitan Hilarion of Winnipeg, Metropolitan Paisios of Leros, Kalymnos and Astypalaia, Archbishop Evgenios of Crete, Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea, Metropolitan Polykarpos of Italy, Metropolitan Nektarios of Hong Kong, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Krini, Metropolitan Nathanael of Kos and Nisyros, Metropolitan Kallinikos of Arta, Metropolitan Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Metropolitan Konstantinos of Singapore, Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria, Metropolitan Joseph of Buenos Aires, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Nikopolis and Preveza, Metropolitan Theoklitos of Ierissos, Mount Athos and Ardamerion, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonia, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maroneia and Komotini, Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, Metropolitan Georgios of Kitros, Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden, Metropolitan Maximos of Ioannina, Metropolitan Hariton of Elasson, Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria, Metropolitan David of Grevena, Metropolitan Amphilochios of Adrianople, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, Metropolitan Ilias of Oulu, Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, Metropolitan Gerasimos of Petra and Cherronisos, Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Hierapytna and Siteia, Metropolitan Stephanos of Philippi, Neapolis and Thasos, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Symi, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand, Metropolitan Maximos of Switzerland, Metropolitan Athanasios of Sisanion and Siatista, Metropolitan Ierotheos of Lemnos and Agios Efstratios, Metropolitan Filotheos of Thessaloniki, Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, Metropolitan Iakovos of Ireland, Metropolitan Vissarion of Spain and Portugal, Metropolitan Andreas of Forty Churches, Metropolitan Ioakeim of Bursa, Metropolitan Dimitrios of France, Metropolitan Platon of Langada, Liti and Rentini, Metropolitan Kallinikos of Kastoria, Metropolitan Bartholomew of Polyana and Kilkis, Metropolitan Konstantinos of Denver, Metropolitan Dorotheos of Drama, Metropolitan Serapion of Paramithia, Philiata and Geromerion, Metropolitan Irinaios of Florina, Prespa and Eordaia, Metropolitan Theodoros of Seleucia and Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico, Metropolitan Antonios of Hierapolis, Metropolitan Gregorios of Nyssa, Metropolitan Jeremiah of Aspendos, and Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon, and Their Graces, Bishop Andreas of Toronto, Bishop Alexandros of Parnu and Saaremaa, Bishop Elpidios of Perth, Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, Bishop Evmenios of Chora and Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane.

In his Message, the Ecumenical Patriarch recalls that this year marks 35 years since the establishment by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of September 1 as a Day of Prayer for the Protection of the Natural Environment, and points out:

“The environmental threat is a dimension of the extended crisis in contemporary civilization. In this sense, confronting the problem cannot be successful on the basis of the principles of the same civilization, of the rationale behind it, which created it in the first place. We have repeatedly expressed our conviction that churches and religions can contribute significantly to a vital spiritual and evaluative conversion for the sake of the future of humanity and the planet. Genuine religious faith dissolves the arrogance and titanism of humankind, inasmuch as it constitutes the embankment of its transformation into a “man-god,” who abolishes all standards, boundaries, and values, while declaring himself “the measure of all things” and instrumentalizing both his fellow human beings and nature for the satisfaction of his unquenchable needs and arbitrary pursuits.”

At another point in his message, His All-Holiness points out:

“We have struggled and still strive for an inter-Orthodox and inter-Christian collaboration for the protection of humanity and creation, as well as for the introduction of this subject in interfaith dialogue and common actions of religions. Moreover, we particularly emphasize the need to understand that the contemporary ecological crisis impacts first and foremost the poorer inhabitants on earth. In the document of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, entitled “For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church,” this topic is underlined emphatically along with the essential concern of the Church in light of the consequences of climate change: “We must understand that serving our neighbor and preserving the natural environment are intimately and inseparably connected.  There is a close and indissoluble bond between our care of creation and our service to the body of Christ, just as there is between the economic conditions of the poor and the ecological conditions of the planet.  Scientists tell us that those most egregiously harmed by the current ecological crisis will continue to be those who have the least.  This means that the issue of climate change is also an issue of social welfare and social justice.” (Paragraph 76)

His Eminence Archbishop Nektarios of Anthedona, Commissioner of the Holy Sepulchre in Constantinople, Their Graces the Bishops of the Throne, clergy, Archons of the Great Church of Christ, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Georgios Kotsiras, as a representative of the Greek Government, the Ambassador, His Excellency Mr. Konstantinos Koutras, Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, and faithful from the city of Constantinople, Greece and other countries were all present for the Divine Liturgy.

At the end, the long-established Indiction service took place, during which the Ecumenical Patriarch read the prayer of the vow and act of the new 3rd Indiction. Then His All-Holiness signed the relevant text in the Codex of the Great Church and then all the present Metropolitans, Archbishops and Eparchial Bishops – Regional Bishops signed in order.

Afterwards, the official opening of the renovated Patriarchal Urban Maraslis School took place, where a reception was held.

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PATRIARCHAL MESSAGE FOR THE DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

† B A R T H O L O M E W

BY GOD’S MERCY ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE-NEW ROME

AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH

TO THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH

GRACE, PEACE AND MERCY FROM THE MAKER OF ALL CREATION

OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

* * *

Most reverend brother Hierarchs and beloved children in the Lord,

Thirty-five whole years have lapsed since the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate established September 1^st, the Feast of the Indiction and opening of the ecclesiastical year, as a Day of Prayers for the Protection of the Natural Environment. This blessed initiative had a great resonance and borne bountiful fruit. The multidimensional ecological activities of the Holy Great Church of Christ today center around the phenomenon of climate change—or rather, the climate crisis—which has caused a “planetary state of emergency.”

We appreciate the contribution of the environmental movements, the international agreements for the environment, the related engagement on the part of scientists with this problem, the contribution of environmental education, the ecological sensitivity and mobilization of countless people and especially representatives of the younger generation. However, we insist that what is needed is an axiological “Copernican turn,” a radical change of mentality globally, a substantial revision of the relationship between humankind and nature. Otherwise, we will continue to treat the catastrophic consequences of the ecological crisis, while leaving intact and active the roots of the problem.

The environmental threat is a dimension of the extended crisis in contemporary civilization. In this sense, confronting the problem cannot be successful on the basis of the principles of the same civilization, of the rationale behind it, which created it in the first place. We have repeatedly expressed our conviction that churches and religions can contribute significantly to a vital spiritual and evaluative conversion for the sake of the future of humanity and the planet. Genuine religious faith dissolves the arrogance and titanism of humankind, inasmuch as it constitutes the embankment of its transformation into a “man-god,” who abolishes all standards, boundaries, and values, while declaring himself “the measure of all things” and instrumentalizing both his fellow human beings and nature for the satisfaction of his unquenchable needs and arbitrary pursuits.

The centuries-long experience teaches us that, without an “Archimedean” spiritual and evaluative support, humanity cannot avoid the risks of a nihilistic “anthropologism.” This is the legacy of the classical spirit, as articulated by Plato through the principle that “God is the measure of all things for us” (Laws 716c). This understanding of humanity and its responsibility through its relationship with God is expressed through the Christian teaching about the creation of Adam “in the image of God” and “according to His likeness,” as well as about the assumption of human nature by the incarnate pre-eternal Word of God for our salvation and the renewal of all creation. The Christian faith recognizes the supreme value of humanity and creation alike. In this spirit, then, respect for the sacredness of the human person and the protection of the integrity of the “very good” creation are inseparable. Faith in the God of wisdom and love inspires and supports the creative forces of humankind, strengthening it in the face of challenges and trials, even when overcoming these appears humanly impossible.

We have struggled and still strive for an inter-Orthodox and inter-Christian collaboration for the protection of humanity and creation, as well as for the introduction of this subject in interfaith dialogue and common actions of religions. Moreover, we particularly emphasize the need to understand that the contemporary ecological crisis impacts first and foremost the poorer inhabitants on earth. In the document of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, entitled “For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church,” this topic is underlined emphatically along with the essential concern of the Church in light of the consequences of climate change: “We must understand that serving our neighbour and preserving the natural environment are intimately and inseparably connected.  There is a close and indissoluble bond between our care of creation and our service to the body of Christ, just as there is between the economic conditions of the poor and the ecological conditions of the planet.  Scientists tell us that those most egregiously harmed by the current ecological crisis will continue to be those who have the least.  This means that the issue of climate change is also an issue of social welfare and social justice.” (Paragraph 76)

In conclusion, we wish you, most honorable brothers and most beloved children, a new ecclesiastical year full of divine blessings and productivity, invoking upon you all, through the intercession of Panagia Pammakaristos, whose wondrous and miraculous icon we honor and celebrate on this day and humbly venerate, the life-giving grace and boundless mercy of the Creator of all and God of wondrous things.  

September 1, 2024

† Bartholomew of Constantinople

Fervent supplicant for all before God