Representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury attends festivities in Constantinople

As part of the celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the election of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, an official representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of the Anglican Communion, was among the distinguished ecclesiastical and other dignitaries present at the Phanar.

The Right Reverend Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich, travelled to Constantinople to convey personally to the Ecumenical Patriarch the Archbishop of Canterbury’s warm congratulations on this significant anniversary and to extend his heartfelt wishes for many more years of good health and fruitful patriarchal ministry.

Bishop Graham Usher was accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, Orthodox Co-Chair of the International Commission for Anglican–Orthodox Theological Dialogue.

During the audience, which took place in a particularly warm and cordial atmosphere, the Bishop of Norwich presented His All-Holiness with a volume outlining the Anglican Church’s theological reflections and commitments concerning environmental protection and the care of creation. On this occasion, he emphasised that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been a pioneering figure and a profound source of inspiration for other Christian Churches in promoting ecological awareness and the safeguarding of the natural environment.

The cordial exchange also provided an opportunity to reflect upon the recent meetings of His All-Holiness with the new Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as with His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom.

For his part, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium spoke about the ongoing theological dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion, highlighting in particular the valuable and constructive contribution of Bishop Graham Usher to its progress, continuity, and further development.

His Grace Archbishop Bernd Wallet of Utrecht, President of the International Bishops’ Conference of the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht, was likewise present at the celebrations commemorating this significant anniversary in the life and ministry of the Ecumenical Patriarch.