Today, November 30, the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, celebrates with joy and gratitude the Feast Day of its patron saint, the apostle Saint Andrew the First-Called, who is the patronal saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The Order gives particular thanks to the Lord on this Feast Day for His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the 270th successor to the Apostle Andrew, who ascended to the Ecumenical Throne on November 2, 1991. Now in its thirtieth year, the Patriarchal ministry of His All-Holiness, the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, is the longest in the history of Christianity, and one which has brought innumerable blessings to Orthodox Christians all over the world, as well as to all people of good will.

Throughout his long and fruitful Patriarchal ministry, His All-Holiness has tirelessly pursued spiritual revival, Orthodox unity, Christian reconciliation, interfaith tolerance and coexistence, protection of the environment, and a world united in peace, justice, solidarity, reconciliation and love.

During his three decades on the Ecumenical Throne of Saint Andrew, His All-Holiness has earned the title “the Green Patriarch,” as he has taken a leading role among religious leaders worldwide in stressing the need to protect the environment. His All-Holiness has tirelessly worked for the mobilization of moral and spiritual forces to achieve harmony between humanity and nature.

His All-Holiness has also been a unique and courageous advocate for peace and reconciliation, greatly advancing Orthodox relations with Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Baptists and others, ending the schism in the Church in Ukraine by granting it autocephaly, and strengthening contacts and relations with various Orthodox national churches.

As one of the most important successors of Saint Andrew in the entire 2,000-year history of the Orthodox Christian Church, His All-Holiness has been and continues to be a powerful and compelling voice for peace, love, and salvation. On this Feast Day of the patronal saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Order of Saint Andrew joins our Exarch and beloved Archbishop Elpidophoros of America in offering special thanks to God for the Patriarchal ministry of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

In the Service of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,

Anthony J. Limberakis, MD
Archon Aktouarios
National Commander