Patriarch Bartholomew: We Are Proud of Our Spiritual Stewardship over Athos
The Ecumenical Patriarch called the Holy Mountain a unique center of peaceful coexistence among different peoples.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew stated that the Phanar takes pride in its spiritual jurisdiction and care over the Holy Mountain of Athos. This was reported by Orthodoxia News Agency.
On August 9, 2026, the head of the Phanar presided over the Liturgy at the metochion of the Athonite Panteleimon Monastery in Galata on the feast day of the monastery according to the Julian calendar. In his homily, Patriarch Bartholomew elaborated on the role of monasticism in the life of the Church.
"The Holy Mountain of Athos occupies a unique place in Orthodox monasticism," the Patriarch emphasized, calling it an adornment on the mitre of the Ecumenical Patriarch. The head of the Phanar expressed pride that the Holy Mountain belongs to the spiritual jurisdiction and care of the Church of Constantinople. "We are proud that Athos belongs to the spiritual jurisdiction and care of the Mother Church of Constantinople," the first hierarch declared.
The Patriarch described Athos as a unique center of prayer and peaceful brotherly coexistence among various peoples. According to him, on the Holy Mountain "Greeks, Russians, Serbs, Bulgarians, and Romanians all live together as true brothers in Christ."
As the SPJ reported, the Patriarch of Constantinople held talks with Anglicans in Istanbul.
