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

By Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

This book 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 the documents reveal, the tenure of the Ecumenical Patriarch has been characterized by inter-Orthodox cooperation, inter-Christian dialogue and interreligious understanding. He has travelled 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. Published together here for the first time, the writings reveal the Ecumenical Patriarch as a bridge builder and peacemaker. Some of the topics covered include: faith and freedom; racism and fundamentalism; mutual respect and tolerance; ecology and poverty; human rights and freedom; racial and religious discrimination; Church and state; terrorism and corruption; freedom of conscience; Europe, Turkey and the world; religion and politics; Christians and Muslims; Christians and Jews.

ISBN-13: 9780823231713
Print publication date: 2009