Ecumenical Patriarch: “Heretical ideologies” within Orthodoxy undermine our efforts (PHOTOS)

The 35th anniversary of the election of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Apostolic and Ecumenical Patriarchal Throne was celebrated with a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Phanar on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

In his address following the service, the Ecumenical Patriarch reflected on his 35 years of ministry, highlighting the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s efforts to strengthen Orthodox unity, promote dialogue and protect the environment. He also criticized the spread of what he described as “heretical ideologies” within certain sections of the Orthodox world.

Concelebrating with Patriarch Bartholomew were Metropolitans Elder Apostolos of Derkoi; Elder Dimitrios of the Princes’ Islands; Meliton of Philadelphia; Seraphim of Sebasteia; Irenaios of Myriophyton and Peristasis; Chrysostomos of Myra; Eugenios of Crete; and Kyrillos of Krini, along with Archbishops Elpidophoros of America and Makarios of Australia.

“The Church Is the Place of Dialogue Among All God’s Children” Addressing the congregation after the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Bartholomew recalled October 22, 1991, when the Holy and Sacred Synod elected him to succeed the late Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios.

He…