Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Tests Positive for Covid

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has tested positive for Covid-19, the Patriarchate at Constantinople announced on Friday.

“His Holiness, who is fully vaccinated, is currently showing mild symptoms, but his general condition is good,” an announcement said.

It added that “immediately after the diagnosis, he visited the Central Hospital of Constantinople for further preventive examinations.

“The Ecumenical Patriarch thanks all those who express their interest in his state of health and urges, once again, all to follow the recommendations of doctors and specialists, as well as those who have not yet been vaccinated, to do it for the good of themselves and of society as a whole.

On this occasion, he wishes everyone a Merry and Blessed Christmas,” the announcement reads.

Bartholomew urged Orthodox to get vaccinated against Covid

On Tuesday in a Christmas message to the Orthodox faithful, Bartholomew urged all the members of the faith around the world to become vaccinated against the coronavirus.

“Science, provided it serves to minister to humanity, is a precious gift from God,” he noted. Bartholomew then urged the faithful to follow the advice of health authorities and all appropriate measures to counter the virus during the holidays.

He exhorted all Orthodox people to “not get carried away by the irresponsible voices of non-experts and those proclaiming themselves representatives of God and ‘spiritual advisors’ of the genuine faith, who contradict themselves woefully, however, due to their lack of love for their fellows, whose life they expose to great danger.

Spiritual leader for Greek Orthodox for 30 years

Bartholomew completed 30 years as the spiritual leader of 300 million faithful of the Greek Orthodox Church worldwide as of November 2021.

It was October 22, 1991 when he was elected and ascended to the Ecumenical Throne on November 2, 1991.

In these 30 years, His All Holiness has not only worked for reconciling Christian Churches but also earned an international reputation for raising ecological awareness on a global level.

As the leader of the Orthodox Church, Patriarch Bartholomew represents the voice and concerns of a long-suffering, but fast-growing faith, as Orthodox Churches are gaining adherents across the globe.