[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 150 (Monday, September 15, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HIS ALL-HOLINESS ECUMENICAL 
                         PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK TAKANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 15, 2025

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I join the global community in celebrating 
the remarkable achievements of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch 
Bartholomew, which now include the 2025 Templeton Prize.
  Patriarch Bartholomew has long been a voice of spiritual clarity and 
moral courage. His leadership in advancing interfaith dialogue, human 
rights, and especially environmental stewardship, has earned him the 
nickname ``The Green Patriarch.'' The Templeton Prize recognizes his 
decades of work urging the world to see care for creation not just as 
policy, but as a sacred duty.
  In Riverside, we are blessed with a vibrant Orthodox Christian 
community. Parishes such as Saint Andrew Orthodox Church remind us of 
the enduring presence of Eastern Orthodox faith in Southern California. 
These communities embody the values Patriarch Bartholomew champions--
reverence, beauty, responsibility, and peace.
  His visit to our Nation's capital is not just a symbolic moment; it 
is an opportunity for our country to honor a global religious leader 
who is known for his phrase: ``War in the name of religion is war 
against religion.''
  On behalf of Riverside, I extend congratulations to His All-Holiness. 
May his work continue to inspire, and may our communities reflect his 
vision of faith in action.

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