Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has sent a letter to the organizers and participants of the XIII Ecumenical Social week

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has written a letter of message to the organizers and participants of the XIII Ecumenical Social Week, which will be held from October 7 to 10, 2020. This event is organized by the Institute of Ecumenical Studies of the Ukrainian Catholic University in cooperation with academic institutions, civil authorities and community organizations.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been one of the leaders in the biblical and theological understanding of environmental issues for many years. His eco-initiatives date back to the mid-80s of the last century, when he was not yet a patriarch. He has organized a series of international and interdisciplinary symposia in the Aegean (1995) and Black (1997) Seas, along the Danube (1999), in the Adriatic (2002) and Baltic (2003) Seas, on the Amazon (2006) and Mississippi (2009), the Institute of Ecumenical Studies states.

The Patriarch of Constantinople noted the relevance of the topic raised by the XIII ECT "Hear the cry of the Earth: integral ecology in action". The issue of environmental challenges facing humanity is extremely acute, so everyone should join this discussion about "preserving the resources of our planet and changing it for the benefit of all people, and especially "the least of his brothers [and sisters], the most vulnerable and rejected in our world." The issue of ecology is uniting representatives of religious communities, government and business, the public and educational sector, and all those who are not indifferent.

Epistle of his
All-Holiness
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
on the 13th Ecumenical Social Week,
Lviv, October 7-10, 2020

It is with sincere joy that we address the organizers and participants of the XIII Ecumenical Social Week, which will be held from 7 to October 10 2020, organized by the Institute of Ecumenical Studies of the Ukrainian Catholic University in cooperation with the Lviv City Council and with the involvement of other academic institutions, civil authorities and community organizations.

This year's diverse events and comprehensive programs are dedicated to the importance of ecology – of caring of a diverse and beautiful gift of creation – for the life of the church and the welfare of the planet. And it brings together distinguished speakers from the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Churches in order to proclaim and promote the preservation and protection of God's creation.

We are always delighted to learn about the shared concern and mutual efforts of various ecumenical bodies in Ukraine, and of course the close cooperation between the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Catholic Church, in their vision for the transformation of the world for the benefit of all people. Moreover, we are in particular deeply impressed by the unique contribution of the Institute of Ecumenical Studies of the Ukrainian Catholic University, which provides graduate degrees in the field of ecumenical relations and dialogue, while at the same time coordinating numerous conferences and publications for the sake of advancing peace and reconciliation nationally, regionally and globally.

This year, due to the pandemic, the events of the Ecumenical Social Week will be held remotely. However, you should consider this too as another reason to reflect and a reminder of the vital spiritual significance of pursuing closer communication and securing fraternal connections between our church denominations and communities.

Therefore, from the spiritual center of the Orthodox Church and the Mother Church of Constantinople here at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, we convey our sincerest paternal greetings and heartfelt patriarchal blessing to all of you for the successful week, agenda and deliberation. May God abundantly reward your interest in protecting the resources of our planet for the benefit of all people, and especially "the least of his brothers [and sisters]", the most vulnerable and marginalized in our world.

At the Ecumenical Patriarchate on September 10, 2020

Your fervent supplicant before God,

Bartholomew

Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch