On Thursday, October 21, 2021, Member of Provincial Parliament Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos (Oakville North—Burlington), who is also the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Long-Term Care, delivered a moving statement in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to honour and celebrate the thirty year anniversary of the election of His All-Holiness, Bartholomew, as Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch.
On behalf of Orthodox Christians across Canada, the Archdiocese and its faithful extend their gratitude to MPP Triantafilopoulos for this wonderful initiative and join her in congratulating Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on this historic achievement. He is Worthy!
Read the full statement:
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I
Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: Today I would like to honour His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch and the spiritual leader of the world’s almost 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide.
On October 22, 2021, His Holiness marks the 30th anniversary of his election as archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, the longest serving patriarch in the history of the See of Constantinople, the First Throne of the Orthodox church.
A visionary leader and bridge builder, the Ecumenical Patriarch has increased co-operation within the Orthodox community and promoted dialogue and peace among all religions. He is also known for promoting religious freedom, human rights and combatting human trafficking.
His work on environmental justice has earned him the title “the Green Patriarch.”
Time Magazine has named him as one of the most influential people in the world.
He speaks six languages—Greek, English, French, German, Italian and Turkish—and is also fluent in classical Greek and Latin.
Ontario has a strong and vibrant Orthodox Christian community, including the patriarch’s representative in Canada, His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios.
On behalf of all members of the Legislature, I would like to extend sincere congratulations to His All-Holiness on his historic anniversary and on his 30-year worldwide ministry.
Today I rose in the Legislature to honour His Most Divine All Holiness, Bartholomew I, marking the 30th anniversary of his election as Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome & Ecumenical Patriarch. #OakvilleNorth–#BurlON #whiapadee pic.twitter.com/tPe0XqSZao
— Effie Triantafilopoulos (@Effie_ONB) October 21, 2021