Αll the issues of concern to the Patriarchate, and especially the protection of its ecumenical role and importance of religious freedoms were discussed between Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and US President Donald Trump in Washington yesterday, Monday September 15th, as part of his official visit to the United States where he will be honored for his environmental advocacy.
They also discussed the Theological School of Halki, the situation of Christians in Turkey and the Middle East, Ukraine and the ongoing interfaith dialogue, as well as the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV of Rome to Turkey to join the Ecumenical Patriarch in celebrating the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea this year.
According to reports, Trump asked his associates to prepare a briefing note to raise the issue of Halki with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he meets him.
“Since last year, at the initiative of President Erdogan, a dialogue began between the Patriarchate and the Turkish government on the issue of Halki,” the Ecumenical Patriarch told journalists after the meeting, elaborating on the issue of the theological school. “President Erdogan assigned the Minister of Education to visit Halki and meet with the relevant officials of the Patriarchate. Thus began a dialogue between the Church and Ankara, which we want to expedite as much as possible, so that in September 2026 we can accept the first students.”
He also spoke about the theological dialogue with Rome, describing it as “particularly successful.”
“Next year we will once again have the general assembly of the international joint theological committee for the dialogue between the two Churches. In parallel with this theological dialogue, we are also cultivating and promoting the dialogue of love, which began under my Blessed predecessor Athenagoras and Pope John XXIII.”
Bartholomew also noted the Church’s interest in Ukraine. “We granted autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine about six years ago. They had repeatedly asked us for it, we were convinced that it was their right to have this ecclesiastical independence from Moscow, which, as we all know, has proven to be an enemy of the Ukrainian people.” Trump, according to information, showed particular interest in the issue and expressed his admiration for the Patriarch’s decision.
Referring to the situation of Christians in the Middle East in general and in Turkey in particular, he said: “We are very few remaining Christians, not only us Greek Orthodox, but all Christians living in Turkey. It is perhaps around 1% of the population of the country, which population amounts to approximately 84 million. We are a drop in the ocean.”
“I described to the president the difficulties we have gone through and that, despite all these difficulties, by the grace of God, we exist. We continue our tradition, our history.”
As for the Middle East, he said he told Trump that “the Christian population is dwindling, in what was once the cradle of Christianity in the Middle East and the Holy Land,” and asked the US president to turn his attention on the matter.
The Patriarch expressed his pride and admiration for the Greek Diaspora in America and more specifically for those who excel and hold high government positions. “I boasted to them about the Greek Diaspora of America,” he said.
“It was a very warm atmosphere. The president welcomed us with warmth and respect,” Bartholomew told journalists. “The vice president, who attended the meeting, was also particularly warm.”
Today, Tuesday September 16th, Bartholomew will attend events hosted by Sedat Onal, Turkey’s ambassador to the United States and a luncheon in his honor hosted by Ekaterini Nassika, Greece’s ambassador to the United States. His itinerary also includes a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where he will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The patriarch will spend 12 days in the United States, visiting Washington, DC, New York City, and Southampton, Long Island. While in Washington, he will attend dinners in his honor hosted by Speaker of the House Michael Johnson, Congressman Gus Bilirakis, and Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas.
The ceremony for the Templeton prize will take place on September 24 at Lincoln Center, in the presence of distinguished guests, including British primatologist Jane Goodall, climate advocate and former US vice president Al Gore, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
