The Ecumenical Patriarch is the Archbishop of Constantinople–New Rome and first among equals (primus inter pares) among the Orthodox bishops worldwide. His See is traced back to the Apostle Andrew, the brother of St. Peter, who preached the Gospel in Byzantium.
The title “Ecumenical Patriarch” was given in the sixth century, expressing his responsibility to serve the unity of the Orthodox Church throughout the world. The Ecumenical Patriarch does not rule over the other Orthodox Churches but acts as a center of coordination, love, and service.
As St. Ignatius of Antioch reminds us:
“Where the bishop is, there is the Church.”
(Letter to the Smyrnaeans, 8:2)
In this same spirit, the Ecumenical Patriarch presides in love among the bishops of the Orthodox Church, safeguarding the faith, fostering dialogue, and guiding missionary work in every land.
Today, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I continues this apostolic service. Known as the “Green Patriarch” for his commitment to the care of creation, he also works tirelessly to promote peace, reconciliation, and the witness of Orthodoxy in the modern world.
For the faithful in the Pacific, the Ecumenical Patriarch is our spiritual father and the guarantor of our connection to the fullness of the Orthodox Church worldwide. Through his prayers, blessings, and guidance, the life of the Church in the Pacific is strengthened and united with the apostolic tradition.