[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     WELCOMING ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PATRICK RYAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2025

  Mr. RYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Ecumenical Patriarch 
Bartholomew of Constantinople to Washington, D.C. as he receives the 
Templeton Prize for his lifetime of work curating harmony between 
science and faith.
  Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew not only serves as the spiritual 
leader to the upwards of 300 million Orthodox Christians around the 
globe, he serves as a model for us all, having dedicated his life to 
peacemaking, environmental advocacy and conservation, and facilitating 
inter-faith dialogue around the globe.
  Leading the Church since 1991, His All-Holiness has shepherded our 
world through tumultuous shifts in national borders, been instrumental 
in orchestrating peace between adversaries, and facilitated harmony 
between religions. Throughout his tenure, he has remained on the 
forefront of meeting the rising challenges our global community is 
facing. Be it climate change, wars, violations of human rights, His 
All-Holiness is undaunted and unwavering in his commitment to 
alleviating suffering and championing justice.
  During this chaotic time in our world, and especially our Nation, the 
Ecumenical Patriarch's presence in our capital is particularly 
meaningful and serves as a reminder to us all how to lead with 
compassion and courage, how to minister to our communities with 
empathy, and how to live with moral fortitude.
  His ability to unify, to guide anyone and everyone to set aside 
differences and divisions and treat each other as equals is deeply 
inspiring and is what we should all strive for. Ecumenical Patriarch 
Bartholomew's impact on our world is immeasurable, boundless, and 
magnified all the more through the countless people he has inspired.
  It is a great honor to add my voice to the many, including the Greek 
Orthodox Christians at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Kingston, 
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Newburgh, Kimisis tis Theotokou 
Greek Orthodox Church in Poughkeepsie, and across the Hudson Valley, 
thanking him for his leadership in our world, his zeal for 
environmentalism and social harmony, and his commitment to uplifting 
the dignity of every person of every faith and nation.

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