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# U.S. State Dept. Official Meets Patr. Bartholomew at Phanar
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/87140-riley-m-barnes-meets-patr-bartholomew-at-phanar/
- Published: 2026-05-15T13:15:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:12:30.000Z
- Description: Riley M. Barnes met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to discuss the global role of the Orthodox Church.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, Patriarch Bartholomew, Phanar, Human rights, Church and State

**ISTANBUL —** United States diplomatic official Riley M. Barnes, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Wednesday, where he was [received](https://ec-patr.org/14/05/17/40/episkepsi-toy-voithoy-ypoyrgoy-exoteri/) by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Phanar for a meeting marked by cordial dialogue.

The visit included discussions on the pastoral and global role of the Orthodox Church. Topics included the life of the Church in Constantinople, its ministry to Orthodox faithful in Turkey, and the broader mission of the Archdiocese of America. The U.S. delegation also included Deputy Consul General Michael Kidwell.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/01/87140-riley-m-barnes-meets-patr-bartholomew-at-phanar-image-afe5e9bdd404.jpg)On this topicU.S. State Dept. Official Discusses Religious Freedom in Ukraine](https://uoj.news/news/86173-us-state-dept-official-discusses-religious-freedom-in-ukraine/)

Church representatives attending the meeting included Metr. Emmanuel of Chalcedon and senior patriarchal officials. Following the audience, the U.S. delegation toured the Patriarchal Church, where they were briefed on its history and sacred relics by Archimandrite Iakovos.

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/87020-patr-john-x-received-with-honors-at-the-phanar/) that Patr. John X was received with honors at the Phanar.