The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s eighth Apostolic Visit to the United States began on Sunday evening, September 14, 2025, with his arrival in Washington, DC.
Officially welcoming the Ecumenical Patriarch to the country on behalf of U.S. President Donald Trump was Abbey Jones, the Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States; and Deputy Secretary of State Michael J. Rigas. On behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America officially welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Also offering an official welcome to the Ecumenical Patriarch was Ekaterini Nassika, the Greek Ambassador to the United States, and Murat Uğurluoğlu, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, along with the Spiritual Advisor of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Alexander Karloutsos.
After that, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey; Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos; and Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia also welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch, as did Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and The Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, National Vice Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Article by Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Photo by Archons/Orthodox Observer/ J. Mindala
