The Diocese
Posted: 02/26/2021
This is a book which unfolds the inner spirituality of an outstanding Church leader, which I had the privilege of meeting personally a number of times. It has been several years since my last meeting with him and as I have read this book by John Chryssavgis, I certainly felt his most empowering presence. His humility has been and remains as the ultimate spiritual treasure for all who have met him once or multiple times. What is most astonishing is that just by being next to him, one can surely feel the holiness of a great pastor, who humbles himself and inspires us all with the love of God speaking through his heart as a living message.
Pope Francis, in the introduction of his book speaks about His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew with great admiration and genuine respect. “I have found a profound spiritual sensitivity in Patriarch Bartholomew toward the painful condition of humanity today, so profoundly wounded by unspeakable violence, injustice, and discrimination. We are both greatly disturbed by the grave sin against God, which seems to increase day by day, that is the globalization of indifference toward the defacement of the image of God in man. It is our conviction that we are called to work toward the construction of a new civilization of love and solidarity.” (page XI).
I have read the book few years ago and since then, I have been quoting his words of wisdom in many of my sermons and writings. And I have to admit that the book itself gives us a full understanding of who this pastor is and how enriching his life’s journey has been. Walking through the turbulent times of his life’s journey he became stronger in faith and grew in the unthinkable context of patience. I vividly remember my first meeting with him closely as he visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of Armenia’s acceptance of Christianity as a state religion. Then I translated his message from the newly consecrated St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of the capital city of Yerevan, in the year November 2001.
I would say that it would be an injustice to the cause to try introducing the book in a short writing. However, I would expect that this rather concise approach and attempt will generate interest to read the book and connect to a noble pastor, and be inspired with the journey of his life.
When asked the question “How do you contemplate your future?” his response is enlightening: “Everyone is born with an inner destiny. . . I envision my future full of struggle and mission. Those of us who are called to become interpreters of the noblest ideology, the philosophy of the Nazarene, have greater obligations ahead of us. I foresee the words “struggle” and sacrifice in my life. . . That is my task as a clergyman in the future. A modern clergyman should not reject science and its conclusions; instead, the clergyman should integrate science and religion. Wherever the clergyman serves, he should develop social, humanitarian, and ethical programs. That is my goal for the future . . . Finally, the clergyman must have a cross, a martyrdom before his eyes, never surrendering to the temptations of the Sirens – namely, love of self and love of this world. These are the things I contemplate with regard to my future, my destiny, which is to serve my sweet Jesus Christ and the church as His body.” (page XXVI).
Bartholomew has been a leading pastor of the Christian East. His words reflect the urgency of dialogue with the world: “Orthodoxy must be in constant dialogue with the world. Otherwise, it will no longer be the “Catholic” and “ecumenical” Church but instead be reduced to a “ghetto” on the margins of history.”
In his speeches, he reminds us the words of Athenagoros, when he was presented by Meliton to the Vatican, where he addressed Pope Paul VI. “Perhaps it is a matter of divine inspiration. For centuries [we] have not communicated with one another. Behold, now [we] are revealing a mutual desire and wish for exchange and encounter. This wish is none other than the Lord’s command and the Christian people’s nostalgia.” (page 42).
To this statement and future encounters with Church leaders, he makes a firm message: “Our hope flows from the firm conviction that Orthodoxy, adhering to the witness of the one, undivided, church of the apostles, the fathers, and the ecumenical councils, shows the way not to the past but to the future.” (page 73).
There are numerous reflections made by the Ecumenical Patriarch, which clearly define his belief in the unity of the Church.
The author of the book gives us the full biography of Bartholomew in a very fascinating approach. Any person who may not have seen the Pontiff can see in every step of his life the future Patriarch and above all, God’s plan for him.
Bartholomew’s vision of the Church conveys to us the true character of the Church. He truly sees the sanctity of the Church as it may have been the dream of the Almighty God:
“The Church is not just a historical event; it is only a divinely established, albeit static institution; it is not a lifeless rule of faith. It is more than these. It is the dynamism of history. It is life.” (page 102).
Bartholomew’s spirituality is most uplifting. His deep understanding of the priesthood is not only explained in words alone, but lived thoroughly. At his ordination, Meliton addresses him with these words: “You are approaching to receive God’s grace. That is all that matters. That is what is ultimately decisive. But in order for this to occur, you must first empty yourself, you must make space for grace. Empty yourself, humble yourself, and above all make room for divine grace.” (page 114).
There is one reason why I chose this passage from the book. He kept the message of his bishop and followed Christ with love and humility.
The ecumenical patriarch has been a highly revered Church leader and throughout his ministry, he has met with almost all religious and world leaders with dignified presence and message. His statements of faith were related to the life of humanity and the creation:
“To commit a crime against the natural world is a sin. For human beings to cause species to become extinct and destroy the biological diversity of God’s creation; for human beings to degrade the integrity of the earth by causing climate change, stripping the earth of its natural forests, or destroying its wetlands; for human beings to injure other human beings with disease or contaminate the earth’s waters, its land, its air, and its life, with poisonous substances…these are sins.” (page 177).
However, it must be noted the theology of the Cross has always been the very core of his philosophy: “The cross must be at the center of our vision. Without the cross, without sacrifice, there can be no blessing and no cosmic transfiguration” (page 191).
Bartholomew has been recognized as the Green Patriarch. I personally have witnessed his love for humanity and the creation, which God has graced on us.
In closing remarks, I would like to share with the reader the following message by Bartholomew.
“Our faithful are beginning to realize that the environment is simply one among many other issues to which the church must respond. In many ways, it is the most critical issue; it is the issue that defines all other aspects of our faith. The environment is not a secular or fashionable issue. It is at the very heart of what matters for the God who created our world and who assumed flesh to dwell among us.”
As I have been reviewing some of the underlined reflections by Bartholomew and reading about his encounters by distinguished Church leaders, I vividly remember Archbishop Iakovos, who has been a mentor for him. I am certain that Bartholomew has touched the hearts of many and have called them to walk with Christ.
Speaking of his great personality, George Stephanopoulos, makes this statement: “The power of the Patriarch’s personality is profound. His humility, dignity, empathy and energy have put him at the center of a worldwide network of religious and political leaders…Bartholomew has shined a light of reason and responsibility far beyond the humble walls of the patriarchate, revealing the living heart of Orthodoxy.”
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
Primate
January 30, 2021
