Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide, has described the dramatic events at Gaza as “a disgrace for the human race.”
“We watch with horror the scenes of innocent civilians, of children dying from hunger, and of captives digging their graves. This is truly a disgrace for the human race, for all of humanity,” the Ecumenical Patriarch said.
His comments on Gaza were delivered during a blessing ceremony on Tuesday for the reopening of the renovated Chapel of the Skete of the Transfiguration of the Savior Christ on Halki, one of the Princes’ Islands, off the coast of Istanbul.
“We know very well that it is not easy to alter the course of reality, the course of history. Yet the Church never abandons hope, nor does it cease in its efforts to transfigure the world. For the world is not transformed through violence or war. Look at history and you will see: whatever great and noble has been accomplished was always achieved by the few, those who have truly shaped history. The world is always transfigured by the few, who are nonetheless countless; by the little leaven that ‘leavens the whole lump,” the Ecumenical Patriarch said.
Elsewhere in his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch continued: “Truly, in the history of humanity, nothing great or lofty has ever been achieved without love and sacrifice. And however few we may be today, all the more love and all the greater sacrifices are needed, so that we may preserve with dignity all that our forefathers and the ages have entrusted to us.”
Bartholomew is scheduled to visit the United States on September 15. During his stay in the capital, he is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump, as well as members of Congress, the Senate, and diplomatic representatives—continuing the tradition of his previous visits.
Related: Patriarch Bartholomew Praises the Unyielding Faith of Tenedos Greeks
