In the World, Yet Not of the World: Social and Global Initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, John Chryssavgis

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Synopsis

In the World, Yet Not of the World represents a selection of major addresses and significant messages as well as public statements by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, 'first among equals' and spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians. The Patriarch is as comfortable preaching about the spiritual legacy of the Orthodox Church as he is promoting sociopolitical issues of his immediate cultural environment and praying for respect toward Islam or for global peace.

As these original documents reveal, the tenure of the Ecumenical Patriarch has been characterized by inter-Orthodox cooperation, inter-Christian dialogue, and interreligious understanding. He has traveled more extensively than any other Orthodox Patriarch in history, exchanging official visitations with numerous ecclesiastical and state dignitaries.

In particular, because he is a citizen of Turkey and the leader of a Christian minority in a predominantly Muslim nation, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's personal experience endows him with a unique perspective on religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue. These documents are drawn from his prominent leadership roles as primary spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian world and transnational figure of global significance—influential roles that become more vital each day.

Published together here for the first time, the texts reveal the Ecumenical Patriarch as a bridge builder and peacemaker. One of his catchphrases is 'War in the name of religion is war against religion.' Over the past eighteen years, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's inclination and intention have been to address the most difficult issues facing theworld—the deep and increasing mistrust between East and West, the decay and widening destruction of the natural environment, as well as the sharp divisions among the various Christian confessions and diverse faith communities—whether on religious, racial, or cultural levels. This book reveals the powerful influence of a spiritual institution from the unique perspective of a Christian leader in the world, and yet not of the world.

Biography

His All Holiness ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW, spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians, is the 270th successor of St. Andrew the apostle, who founded the 2000 year old church of Constantinople. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has worked for reconciliation among Christian churches and for religious understanding among the faith communities. His efforts to promote human rights and religious tolerance, together with his pioneering work for international peace and environmental protection, have placed him at the forefront of global visionaries as an apostle of love, peace, and reconciliation. He has been called the 'Green Patriarch' for his efforts to raise environmental awareness and was named by Time magazine as one of the world's most influential people. In 1997, he was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award that may be bestowed by the legislative branch of the U.S. government.

The REV. DR. JOHN CHRYSSAVGIS, an ordained deacon of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, studied at the Universities of Athens and Oxford. He has held university posts in Sydney and Boston, lecturing internationally on Orthodox theology and spirituality, and he currently serves as theological advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarch on environmental issues. His most recent publications include Soul Mending: The Art of Spiritual Direction and In the Heart of the Desert: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. He lives in Maine.