Patriarch Bartholomew Honored in Athens by New US Ambassador

The new US ambassador to Greece, George J. Tsunis, hosted a reception for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Saturday in Athens.

An Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Ambassador said he was clearly pleased and honored that His All-Holiness and Tsunis’ fellow archons and Greek-Americans were among his first guests.

The Archons were in Athens as part of a journey to Greece, Constantinople, and Pontos led by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who had returned to the United States.

The guests at the reception included hierarchs and other officials of the Ecumenical throne and the Church of Greece.

Ambassador Tsunis warmly welcomed the guests, spotlighting, among others, Dr. Anthony Limberakis, the National Commander of the Archons, and leaders of the Jewish and Islamic communities of Greece, saying “when you are with His All-Holiness, people of all faiths are always welcome.”

I was tremendously honored to welcome His All-Holiness @EcuPatriarch Bartholomew to Athens for a reception celebrating his leadership and 30 years of ministry and service to others. The US is committed to our friendship w/ the Orthodox Church. My remarks: https://t.co/3QMjssuKbF pic.twitter.com/fFAT8WixCr

— George J. Tsunis (@USAmbassadorGR) June 18, 2022

US ambassador says Bartholomew is devoted to tolerance

He added that “the Ecumenical Patriarch has devoted his life to making the world a better place. He has devoted himself to a message of tolerance, holding regular dialogues of interfaith tolerance and cooperation with Christians, Moslems, and Jews.”

Bartholomew is known around the world as ‘The Green Patriarch,’ and Tsunis reminded the audience that “His All-Holiness also works to preserve our beautiful planet” through his efforts in support of environmental causes, noting that the Patriarch revealed his compassion through his visit to refugee camps on Lesvos with Pope Francis, “to call attention to those who are most vulnerable in our society.”