[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 96 (Thursday, June 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW FOR CONVENING THE GREAT 
                 AND HOLY COUNCIL OF ORTHODOX CHURCHES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2016

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
Orthodox Christian Churches, which make up the second largest Christian 
Church in the world, who will be gathering in a Holy and Great Council 
June 19-26. This is an extraordinary, historic moment in time for 
Orthodox Christianity. For nearly 300 million Christians, many of whom 
live in the United States, this Council is of extraordinary historic 
significance. The adoption of the Nicene Creed in the year 325, a 
prayer that is recited in virtually every Christian Church in the 
world, remains the most well-known result of such a Council.
  Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is convening this Great and Holy 
Council of Orthodox Churches around the world. The Ecumenical Patriarch 
is the 269th direct successor of the ``first-called'' Apostle Andrew 
who established his Holy See in that region. Ecumenical Patriarch 
Bartholomew is a renowned person and is no stranger to America where he 
has been recognized many times for his noteworthy accomplishments. Many 
will recall that he brought about the world's first statement by Muslim 
and Christian leaders denouncing the 9/11 attacks as an ``anti-
religious'' act.
  Among other recognitions of great consequence, the U.S. Congress 
awarded the Ecumenical Patriarch the Congressional Gold Medal in 1997. 
We welcome this gathering and congratulate our three million Orthodox 
Christians in America and the 300 million around the world.

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