In the World, Yet Not of the World: Social and Global Initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew speaks to a contemporary world about, human rights, religious tolerance, international peace, environmental protection, and more.

In the World, Yet Not of the World represents a selection of major addresses and significant messages as well as public statements by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, first among equals and spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians. The Patriarch is as comfortable preaching about the spiritual legacy of the Orthodox Church as he is promoting sociopolitical issues of his immediate cultural environment and praying for respect toward Islam or for global peace.

As the documents reveal, the tenure of the Ecumenical Patriarch has been characterized by inter-Orthodox cooperation, inter-Christian dialogue and interreligious understanding. He has traveled more extensively than any other Orthodox Patriarch in history, exchanging official visitations with numerous ecclesiastical and state dignitaries.

In particular, because he is a citizen of Turkey and the leader of a Christian minority in a predominantly Muslim nation, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's personal experience endows him with a unique perspective on religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue. These documents are drawn from his prominent leadership roles as primary spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian world and transnational figure of global significance - influential roles that become more vital each day.

Published together here for the first time, the writings reveal the Ecumenical Patriarch as a bridge builder and peacemaker. One of his catchphrases is War in the name of religion is war against religion. Over the past eighteen years, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's inclination and intention have been to address the most difficult issues facing the world-the deep and increasing mistrust between East and West, the decay and widening destruction of the natural environment, as well as the sharp divisions among the various Christian confessions and diverse faith communities-whether on religious, racial, or cultural levels. He regards being a servant of reconciliation as a primary obligation of his spiritual ministry to.

This book reveals the powerful influence of a spiritual institution from the unique perspective of a Christian leader in the world, and yet not of the world.

Some of the topics covered:

o Faith and freedom
o Racism and fundamentalism
o Mutual respect and tolerance
o Ecology and poverty
o Human rights and freedom
o Racial and religious discrimination
o Church and state
o Terrorism and corruption
o Freedom of conscience
o Europe, Turkey and the world
o Religion and politics
o Christians and Muslims
o Christians and Jews

Author: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
Publisher: Fordham University Press
Published: 11/27/2009
Pages: 350
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.55lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.40w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9780823231713

About the Author
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Author)
His all Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians, is the 270th successor of St. Andrew the Apostle, who founded the 2,000-year-old Church of Constantinople. For his efforts to raise environmental awareness, he was named by Time magazine as one of the world's most influential people.

José Manuel Barroso (Foreword By)
Jose Manuel Barroso is President of the European Commission.