Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in USA on a visit

Patriarch Bartholomew's visit to the United States has begun. Photo: orthodoxtimes.com

On October 23, 2021, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople began an official visit to the United States, which will last until November 3, reports orthodoxtimes.com.

Initially, the visit of the Phanar head to the United States was scheduled for May 2020 but later was postponed due to the worldwide COVID epidemic.

In addition to His All-Holiness, the official delegation will include His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Proikonissos, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, Director of the Private Patriarchal Office V. Rev. Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Rev. Deacon-in-Line Kallinikos Chasapis, Director of the First Patriarchal Office Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Delikostantis, businessman Mr. Panagiotis Xenokostas, businessman Mr. Panteleimon (Laki) Vingas, journalist Mr. Hakan Çelik, Mr. Panagiotis Grafiadelis, and Mr. Temistokli Karanikola.

The official visit will begin in Washington, DC, and is expected to include meetings, luncheons, and official dinners with the President of the United States, Joe Biden, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Ambassador of Greece to the United States Alexandra Papadopoulou, and Turkish Ambassador to the United States Hasan Murat Mercan.

In honor of Patriarch Bartholomew's visit, an ecumenical reception will be held on Capitol Hill by the National Council of Churches in Washington.

Further, the head of Phanar will visit several states, where he will take part in various events, and the trip will end with a luncheon at the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Phanar in the USA on November 3.

On Thursday, October 28, a welcome Doxology will be held at St. Andrew Church, followed by a meeting with the University of Notre Dame President and a cultural concert in honor of His All-Holiness at Notre Dame. In the evening, His All-Holiness will receive an honorary degree from the University. 

On Sunday, October 31, the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Elpidophoros and members of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese will be celebrated at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, followed by the Investiture of the 2020/2021 Archon Classes of the Order of Saint Andrew by His All-Holiness

Later in the evening, His All-Holiness will be hosted for dinner by the faithful spiritual children and compatriots of Constantinople, Imvros, and Tenedos in the United States. 

On Monday, November 1, the American Jewish Committee will present the highest award to His All-Holiness for interreligious relations and advancing Orthodox-Jewish relations.

It is also planned that the head of the Phanar will be present at the inauguration of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas in New York, built on the site of the temple destroyed during the September 11 attack.

As reported, in the United States, Patriarch Bartholomew will meet with President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

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