[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 202 (Wednesday, December 3, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    WELCOMING HIS ALL-HOLINESS ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW OF 
                             CONSTANTINOPLE

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS R. SUOZZI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 3, 2025

  Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Ecumenical 
Patriarch of Constantinople, His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, who is the 
spiritual leader and the Primus inter Pares (First among Equals) of 
Orthodox Christianity worldwide, a Church of 300 million people. This 
September, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited 
our Nation's capital, continuing his longstanding practice of meeting 
with the President and engaging with Members of Congress from both 
political sides.
  His All-Holiness is the spiritual leader of more than 300 million 
Orthodox Christians worldwide, representing faith's ability to bring 
people together across borders and generations. His leadership has 
fostered dialogue among faith communities and highlighted the positive 
role moral guidance can play in promoting cooperation and 
understanding.
  His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, 
has been called the Bridge Builder and the Patriarch of Peace by 
Christians and non-Christians alike. I am proud to welcome a peacemaker 
of his caliber to the Capitol.

                          ____________________