[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 150 (Monday, September 15, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING AND HONORING HIS ALL-HOLINESS BARTHOLOMEW

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRYAN STEIL

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 15, 2025

  Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor His All-
Holiness Bartholomew I, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and 
the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christianity around the world. 
On behalf of the millions of Eastern Orthodox Christians in the United 
States, including thousands of Greek Orthodox in my district in 
Wisconsin, I welcome Bartholomew to the United States.
  His All-Holiness Bartholomew has served as the leader of the Eastern 
Orthodox Church for more than 30 years. Prior to his election to this 
role, Bartholomew served in various roles for the Church including as 
the personal secretary to his predecessor, His All-Holiness Demetrios 
I. This week, Bartholomew is in Washington, D.C. to meet with President 
Trump and Congress.
  Bartholomew will also travel to New York later this month to receive 
the distinguished Templeton Prize, joining visionaries like the Dalai 
Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Mother Teresa as among the few to receive this 
honor. The Templeton Prize recognizes individuals for a lifetime of 
work and achievement in faith and the sciences.
  On behalf of the many Eastern Orthodox who call Southeast Wisconsin 
home, including parishioners of Kimissis Theotokou Greek Orthodox 
Church in Racine. I welcome His All-Holiness Bartholomew to the U.S. 
and congratulate him on his winning of the Templeton Prize.

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