The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in his official address to the 9th International Conference “Our Ocean”, held on Tuesday afternoon, April 16, 2024, at the Cultural Center of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, many heads of state, ministers of the Greek government, officials of international organizations, experts and economic actors, as well as personalities from around the world, pointed out the importance of always keeping in mind the catastrophic consequences of war on our planet and praying for peace in the Middle East and throughout the world.
Addressing the diverse audience of the conference in English, the Ecumenical Patriarch noted that this meeting takes place at a time of uncertainty in the world as the conflict in the Middle East escalates, where so many lives have already been lost and so many innocent people continue to face hunger. He asked for a moment of silence to be observed by all “as we turn our minds and hearts to the victims of war in Israel and Palestine, as well as on our own continent.
Referring to the issue of the climate crisis and its impact on marine life, the Ecumenical Patriarch stressed that for more than 35 years, since the time of his venerable predecessor, Patriarch Dimitrios, and during his own Patriarchal ministry, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has emphasized the common obligation to protect creation. In this regard, he recalled that the Patriarchate has organized environmental symposia in various aquatic ecosystems of the planet, such as the Adriatic Sea, the Black Sea, the Amazon, and the Mississippi Rivers, in order to highlight their importance for life on the planet, as well as the dangers that threaten them. Referring to the significance of the mystery of Baptism, as well as the feast of Epiphany, during which the blessing of the waters with the cross takes place, the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized:
Water has a spiritual and symbolic meaning, reminding us that the water of the planet is not a private resource for a few, but a sacred gift for all. Each person here – each person on this planet – is a microcosm of an ocean, a small world of waters that sustain life. In short, the oceans themselves unite every continent, every coastline, and every citizen of our planet.
In his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized, among other things, that the present generation owes it to the next to leave a world “at least as good, if not better, than the one we received. However, he said, the tragic reality is “that ours will be the first generation to bequeath a planet destroyed by ignorance and indifference, but also by abuse and greed. If we are unwilling to accept our responsibility before the Creator and His creation, we can be moved by the guilt of depriving our children of fair access to natural resources.
He concluded his address by stressing that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has always emphasized the importance of cooperation among peoples, cultures, and religions for the protection of the Earth. We know today that whatever we do in one corner of the planet has immediate and lasting consequences for the rest of the planet. We know today that religions can be powerful allies in addressing issues of social justice”, he said, emphasizing that it is the duty and responsibility of all to act now. All of us – and all together! – must address what is undoubtedly the most urgent challenge of our time, a challenge with significant implications for peace and justice in our societies, for the populations and politics of our communities, and the economy and security of our nations,” the Ecumenical Patriarch stressed.
During the conference, the Patriarch had a brief conversation with participant Mr. John Kerry, former U.S. Secretary of State (2013-2017) and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (2020-2024), who in his speech praised the inspired ministry of the Ecumenical Patriarch in the protection of the natural environment.
On the same evening, the Ecumenical Patriarch had a private meeting with the Prime Minister of Greece, during which they had the opportunity to discuss current ecclesiastical and general issues. Later, they attended the reception hosted by Mr. Mitsotakis at the facilities of the Hellenic Yacht Club in honor of the leaders participating in the international meeting.
Photo: Nikos Papachristou
