Bartholomew Meets with Latvia's First Gay President, Holds 'Prayer Service' with Lutherans and Catholics

RIGA — On September 12, 2025, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with Latvia’s President, the Speaker of the Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Riga. That afternoon, he delivered a lecture at the University of Latvia, titled “The Church Faced with the Ecological Crisis Today: Science, Ethics, Common Action.” 

Later, Greece’s Ambassador to Latvia, Evangelos Tournakis, hosted a dinner for the Patriarch and his entourage. Among the guests was Turkish Embassy Counselor Ozlem Hersan, as well as several Latvian officials.

Edgars Rinkevics, Latvia’s first openly gay president, commended the Patriarch’s vocal support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict.

Prime Minister Evila Silina echoed this, praising his advocacy for Ukraine and the significance of an “independent” Orthodox Church in Latvia.

In 2019, Latvia registered the “Latvian Orthodox Autonomous Church” under Constantinople’s jurisdiction, marking a significant shift in ecclesiastical alignment. Then, in 2022, the parliament declared the Latvian Orthodox Church to be independent of the Moscow Patriarchate.

“The Patriarch’s presence strengthens ties with our Orthodox community,” said Daiga Mierina, speaker of the Latvian parliament. 

Patriarch Bartholomew described the visit as a vital opportunity to address the Latvian Orthodox community’s challenges and renew historical connections with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, fostering unity for both the faithful and society.

On September 13, an ecumenical service at Riga Cathedral saw the Patriarch joined by Lutheran archbishops Rinalds Grants and Janis Vanags, Catholic archbishop Zbigniew Stankevics, Baptist pastor Kaspars Sterns, and other Christian leaders. 

Notably, absent were any representatives of the Latvian Orthodox Church. It is also reported that attendance by the Orthodox laity was sparse. The bishops, priests, and laity overwhelmingly oppose attempts by Latvia’s parliament and the Ecumenical Patriarchate to seize control of the LOC.

The Patriarch’s address, “The Timeless Demand for Unity, the Prayer of Christ, the Milestone of Nicaea,” called for interfaith unity. A reception followed, fostering “fraternal dialogue” among religious leaders.

Turkey’s Ambassador Sule Oztunc hosted a luncheon. The Patriarch departed that evening, having been seen off by Latvian officials.

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