Phanar head: We are obliged to lead Local Churches as an elder brother

Patriarch Bartholomew speaking to the media outside the White House. Photo: orthodoxtimes.com

On October 25, 2021, Patriarch Bartholomew, after official meetings in Washington with American President Joe Biden and the head of the U.S. Department of State Antony Blinken, stated that the Patriarchate of Constantinople should lead the Local Autocephalous Churches, reports orthodoxtimes.com.

Speaking to the media outside the White House, the head of Phanar said that he has a responsibility to lead the Local Autocephalous Churches as "an elder brother". At the same time, he believes that other views on the role of the Patriarchate of Constantinople should not oppose his leadership in world Orthodoxy. “We have a responsibility to lead the Local Autocephalous Churches as an elder brother of one family. This sense of family is intrinsically Orthodox, and we cannot allow any shortsighted political agendas to interfere with our relationships that are through and in Christ Jesus the Lord and Savior of the world," Patriarch Bartholomew told reporters.

As reported, the Phanar head complained to Biden about the moves of the Russian Orthodox Church.

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