Bartholomew I of Constantinople

Bartholomew I in 2018

Bartholomew I (Bartholomaĩos, Bartholomeos}; born 29 February 1940) is the 270th archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch, since 2 November 1991. In accordance with his title, he is regarded as the primus inter pares (first among equals) in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and as the spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide.

Quotes

• What is happening in Ukraine is a tragedy, it is a disgrace that will stigmatize for ever those who caused it, those who turned out to have no fear of God.
• We are convinced that the Russian people, at least our Christian Orthodox brothers, can not agree with what is happening to the detriment of their neighboring Ukrainian people
  • Said about the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, quoted in "Bartholomew: What is happening in Ukraine is a disgrace that will stigmatize for ever those who caused it", Orthodox Times, 1 May 2022

• The Church and the State leadership in Russia cooperated in the crime of aggression, and share the responsibility for the resulting crimes, like the shocking abduction of Ukrainian children. They have provoked enormous suffering not only to the Ukrainian people, but also to the Russians, who count more than 100,000 casualties, and the responsibility for terrible atrocities.
  • "Russian Orthodox Church shares responsibility for Russia’s aggression – Ecumenical Patriarch", Euromaidan Press, 23 March 2023