[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING HIS ALL-HOLINESS ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2025

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I welcome to Washington His All-Holiness 
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the world's 
Orthodox Christians and the 270th successor to the Apostle Andrew.
  Patriarch Bartholomew has long been a voice for faith, unity, and 
reconciliation, serving as the head of the second largest single 
Christian church globally. Along with Ecumenical Patriarch 
Bartholomew's admirable leadership and work within the Orthodox 
Christian church, his deep commitment to religious freedom, interfaith 
dialogue, and environmental stewardship was recognized this year with 
the Templeton Prize. The award is administered by the John Templeton 
Foundation in collaboration with the Templeton World Charity Foundation 
and the Templeton Religion Trust. By receiving this internationally 
recognized honor, he joins a distinguished group of past laureates that 
includes Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
  Beginning with the founding of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral 
in Houston in 1917, this visit is incredibly meaningful to the historic 
Orthodox Christian community within Texas, as well as Orthodox 
Christians all across America.
  We are grateful for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's visit to 
Washington and for his lifelong dedication to bringing together people 
of different faiths to heed the call for stewardship of creation. I 
join my Greek Orthodox constituents and people of faith everywhere in 
offering him a warm welcome.

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