METROPOLITAN JOSEPH WELCOMES ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW TO ARCHDIOCESAN HEADQUARTERS

                 

 Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Accompanied by his brother bishops, clergy, and members of the board of trustees of the Antiochian Archdiocese, His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph received His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople at the headquarters of the archdiocese in Englewood, New Jersey on Monday, November 1, 2021.

(His Eminence's remarks) (Photo gallery 1) (Photo gallery 2)

The evening began with a doxology service of thanksgiving in St. John Chrysostom Chapel, followed by a private dinner, during which His Eminence congratulated His All-Holiness upon his thirtieth anniversary as Ecumenical Patriarch. His Eminence presented His All-Holiness an engolpion of the Theotokos, and a newly painted icon of St. Raphael of Brooklyn. It holds his relic, and depicts the Halki Seminary of the Ecumenical Patriarchate where the saint studied, St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn at the time of St. Raphael, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

"More than mere practical cooperation, it is the spiritual openness and connectedness that allow Christ's grace to flow between us and through us, to bring light, nourishment, and refreshment to the world," His Eminence said in his remarks to His All-Holiness. "We must never tire of seeking this indispensable unity, through love, mutual respect, and collaboration, under the headship of our Lord Jesus Christ."

 

In response, His All-Holiness thanked His Eminence for his hospitality. He also reflected on St. John Chrysostom and his legacy that their churches share. The saint was a priest in Antioch before he became archbishop of Constantinople. His All-Holiness also presented His Eminence with an engolpion of the Theotokos, and gifts to the clergy present in commemoration of his thirtieth anniversary. His All-Holiness added that the new icon of St. Raphael will be displayed in the church at Halki

 

On Monday, November 2, Metropolitan Joseph was a guest of the Greek Archdiocese of America at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in Manhattan, where Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated the "Thyranoixia," the Opening of the Doors Ceremony.