Vartholomeos

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos has sent a letter to Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy denouncing the ministry's move to desecrate one of Eastern Orthodoxy's most sacred shrines, the monastery of Soumela in Trebizond, Turkey, by granting permission to film a television ad with frenzied young people dancing as a DJ on screen plays music.

By George Gilson

Those who are at all familiar with the Eastern Orthodox Church are well aware that Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis) of America long before becoming leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in the US was one of its most eminent and respected hierarchs.

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos was vaccinated against the novel coronavirus at a public hospital of Istanbul on Thursday.

Vartholomeos thanked the medical and nursing staff for their efforts and sacrifice in helping patients with Covid-19.

He also wished for the vaccination of as many people as possible around the world to stem the spread of the deadly virus. 

The ongoing pandemic has once again proved how "fragile" man is, Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos said on Thursday in his message ahead of the Orthodox Easter on Sunday, while he praised the "self-sacrifice" of healthcare professionals who risk their lives.