[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 195 (Wednesday, November 19, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S8235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW

  Ms. ALSOBROOKS. Mr. President, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew 
has championed religious freedom for the Orthodox Christian community. 
His All Holiness is the spiritual leader and the Primus inter Pares of 
Orthodox Christianity and is the longest serving Archbishop of 
Constantinople in history. Through theological dialogues and 
international peace conferences, the Ecumenical Patriarch has sought to 
reconcile Christian churches and advance greater cooperation and 
understanding between Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
  Since his election in 1991, the Ecumenical Patriarch has worked 
tirelessly to unite Orthodox Christians with the Roman Catholic Church, 
the Anglican Communion, and other Christian sects. He helped to rebuild 
the once-persecuted Orthodox church after the Iron Curtain fell, 
supporting peace-building efforts to diffuse conflict in the region.
  He has also been a leading figure in meetings to bring together the 
Abrahamic Faiths: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. He has initiated 
dialogues with Muslim leaders, visiting countries that no other 
Christian hierarch has ever visited. Through these discussions, he has 
built more credibility and opportunities to build bridges between the 
faiths.
  Additionally, the ``Green Patriarch's'' work on the environment is 
significant. His award of the Templeton Prize shows his commitment to 
environmental protection, an award that has been received by other 
luminaries like Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela.
  I ask that you join me, and the residents of Maryland in 
congratulating His All Holiness for receiving the Templeton Prize. I am 
so grateful for the impacts the Ecumenical Patriarch has had on both 
the Orthodox Christian community and all Marylanders.

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