His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s eighth Apostolic Visit to the United States began on Sunday evening, September 14, 2025, with his arrival in Washington, DC.
Officially welcoming His All-Holiness to the country on behalf of U.S. President Donald Trump was Abbey Jones, the Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States; and Deputy Secretary of State Michael J. Rigas. On behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America officially welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Also offering an official welcome to His All-Holiness was Ekaterini Nassika, the Greek Ambassador to the United States, and Murat Uğurluoğlu, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, along with the Spiritual Advisor of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Alexander Karloutsos.
After that, His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey; His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos; and His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia also welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch, as did Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and The Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, National Vice Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
During this Apostolic Visit of His All-Holiness, he is scheduled to receive the prestigious, internationally renowned Templeton Prize. The award will be presented on September 24 in New York City, in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s “pioneering efforts to bridge scientific and spiritual understandings of humanity’s relationship with the natural world, bringing together people of different faiths to heed a call for stewardship of creation.”
His All-Holiness will also visit Washington, DC, New York City, and Southampton, Long Island. While in Washington, he is scheduled to meet with President Donald J. Trump, as well as Speaker of the House Michael Johnson, Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis, and other national leaders, as well as the Ambassadors of Greece and Turkey. He will also visit Arlington National Cemetery and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
On Wednesday, September 17, all faithful are invited to attend a Welcome Doxology and receive a Blessing of the Faithful from His All-Holiness at Saint Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, Virginia.
Find a full itinerary here.
