Pat. Bartholomew: It Is a ‘Grave Sin’ To Put Politics Before Church Unity
"Those who jeopardize this unity in the name of geopolitical expediencies and base motives for acquiring earthly power—falsely cloaked in spirituality—commit an offense before God and a grave sin," the Ecumenical Patriarch said.
ISTANBUL — Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I presided over a Divine Liturgy on November 1, 2025, at the restored 19th-century Church of St. John of Rila in Constantinople, serving the Bulgarian-speaking Orthodox community. The event celebrated the end of the so-called Bulgarian Schism in 1845, according to a report from Orthodox Times.
In his homily, Bartholomew congratulated community leaders and praised their devotion, invoking blessings from St. John of Rila. He emphasized unity among diverse Orthodox faithful in Constantinople, declaring no distinctions exist:
"Be proud, therefore, that as the flock of the Patriarch of Constantinople you belong to the most sacred Ecumenical Throne—this “great thing and name,” an institution which, for centuries from its blessed and sanctified seat, continues to nourish Orthodox Christians everywhere with the divine manna —”the sweetener of pious senses.” This manna is never exhausted, but ever renewed for those who partake of it, strengthening their faith, patience, hope, and love. Yes, to the love that our Lord Himself taught us—to nourish and extend even to our enemies and persecutors.”
Bartholomew also condemned those who would sow divisions in the Church for political reasons:
The Church of Constantinople has always remained steadfast in this path, which it has followed from the beginning in its relations with all. Those who jeopardize this unity in the name of geopolitical expediencies and base motives for acquiring earthly power—falsely cloaked in spirituality—commit an offense before God and a grave sin!
During the Bartholomew's recent visit to the United States, Vice President J.D. Vance allegedly accused him of accepting money from the U.S. State Department in exchange for granting "autocephaly" to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
During the same visit, Bartholomew greeted Ukrainian president Vladimir Zelensky with the cry, "Slava Ukraini!"—a phrase strongly associated with Nazi collaborators during World War II.
