Ecumenical Patriarch pays official visit to Latvia

This was reported by Dr. Serhii Shumylo, director of the International Institute of Athonite Heritage.

On the first day of his visit, Patriarch Bartholomew held talks with President Rinkēvičs at Riga Castle. They discussed matters related to faith and ecumenical relations, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the rescue of Ukrainian children abducted by Russians, and the situation in the Middle East.

During the conversation, President Rinkēvičs highlighted Latvia's strong ecumenical tradition among the country’s major Christian denominations and the successful collaboration between the state and the Churches. He expressed deep appreciation for Patriarch Bartholomew's firm stance against Russian aggression in Ukraine, stating, "Russia continues to attack Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings, and peaceful population, demonstrating no willingness to engage in constructive negotiations for a ceasefire and peace."

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew also met with Latvian Parliament Speaker Daiga Mieriņa and Prime Minister Evika Siliņa.

On that same day, he delivered a lecture at the University of Latvia in Riga titled “The Church Faced with the Ecological Crisis Today: Science, Ethics, Common Action.” This event provided a unique opportunity for the university's academic community, students, and other interested parties to hear from the spiritual leader of world Orthodoxy and engage in discussions regarding the roles of science, faith, and shared responsibility in today’s world.

As noted by Dr. Shumylo, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is often referred to as the “green patriarch” due to his active involvement in environmental protection and raising awareness about climate change. His speech at the University of Latvia made significant contributions to both theological and environmental discussions in the country.

On the second day in Riga, Patriarch Bartholomew participated in an ecumenical prayer service with leaders of other Christian churches at the 12th-century Dom zu Riga cathedral. Archbishop Rinalds Grants of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia (ELCL) expressed gratitude to the Patriarch for his "clear and consistent voice in condemning the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine, for his call for a just peace, and his concern for the preservation of creation and the strengthening of Christian unity."

During his meeting with the head of the ELCL, Patriarch Bartholomew presented an icon commemorating the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, whose 1700th anniversary is being celebrated this year. This icon symbolizes the unity between Eastern and Western Christians.

Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized during the ecumenical meeting in Riga, "The testimony of faith made by the Council of Nicaea is not only a theological impulse but also, one might say, a measure of Christian unity. It serves as the ‘passport’ for every disciple of the Lord, a testimony that unites us all in the one Church of Christ."

According to the Patriarch, the essence of the ecclesiology of the Council of Nicaea is the unity of believers in Christ, which is not merely a human aspiration, a survival strategy, or an administrative decision, but rather a divine gift and an invitation to participate in the life of the Holy Trinity itself.

Dr. Shumylo noted, “Without exaggeration, Patriarch Bartholomew's visit to Latvia will have historic consequences for Orthodox Christianity in the country.”

Historically, the Latvian Autonomous Orthodox Church operated in Latvia under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople from 1936 to 1944. However, it was brutally dismantled by the Moscow communist regime after Latvia's occupation. The structures of the Latvian Autonomous Orthodox Church were preserved in exile from 1944, leading to the formation of the Latvian Orthodox Church in Exile under the omophorion of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. This church was initially led by Metropolitan Augustīns (Petersons; +1955), followed by Prot. Anthony Gramatins (+1969). From 1972 to 2008, Archpriest Alexander Cherney, the rector of the Latvian Orthodox parish of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in London, served as the administrator of the Latvian Orthodox Church in Exile, making significant efforts to preserve and revive the Latvian Autonomous Orthodox Church in his homeland.