site.btaEcumenical Patriarch Awarded with Bulgaria's Highest State Honour

Ecumenical Patriarch Awarded with Bulgaria's Highest  State Honour    

Sofia, November 9 (BTA) - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was
decorated with Bulgaria's highest state honour, the Order of the
 Balkan Range, First Class, on Monday for his efforts to
encourage interreligious dialogue and for his commitment to the
present-day woes of mankind. He was decorated by Bulgarian
President Rosen Plevneliev on the third day of his visit here
(until November 10).

At the ceremony President Plevneliev spoke about society which
needs its spiritual leaders at times of hardship, to show the
right path and take care of the spiritual growth of the young
and society at large. He praised the Ecumenical Patriarch for
his influence in the Orthodox world, his versatile activity for
the well-being of the Orthodox Church, for understanding and
fraternity among all Christians and among the religions of the
world.

Patriarch Bartholomew stressed the century-old spiritual
connection between Bulgaria and its church with the Ecumenical
Patriarchate and praised the wise and active leadership of the
Bulgarian Orthodox Church under Patriarch Neophyte. He said the
Bulgarian church "is rising from the ashes, Bulgarian people are
 rediscovering their roots and their spirituality".

He asked that Bulgaria return all church artefacts and books
originating from Northern Greece, which were taken during wars
and turmoil in the Balkan Peninsula in the 20th century, and
argued that it "will help enhance the unity of the Bulgarian
Church and people with the rest of the Orthodox world and most
of all with the Ecumenical Patriarchate".

The eparchates in Northern Greece are officially under the
diocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate even though they are run
by the Archbishopric of Athens.

Also on Monday, the Ecumenical Patriarch was awarded an Honorary
 Doctor's degree of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). The
 event was held in the presence of Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte,
 metropolitans from the Holy Synod, leaders of various religious
 denominations in Bulgaria, scientists and public figures.
   
BAS President Stefan  Vodenicharov presented the life and
contribution of Patriarch Bartholomew.
   
In his speech, Patriarch Bartholomew dwelt on issues of current
relevance, including climate change, the attitude to the
planet's resources and migration problems.

He said before we can effectively deal with the problems of the
environment, we have to change they way in which we regard the
world. Otherwise we will be dealing with symptoms, not with
causes.

Vodenicharov, who proposed the nomination, said that Bartholomew
 is a pioneer in the dialogue between religions and a
peacemaker, and is firmly established as a figure in defence of
the environment. The Ecumenical Patriarch holds an Honorary
Doctor's degree from a number of prestigious universities and
has received numerous awards.