During the Apostolic Visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Romania, the Alexandrion Foundation presented a special award to His All-Holiness for his promotion of peace and spiritual unity.
The Alexandrion Foundation is a Romania-based humanitarian organization that was founded by Archon Dr. Nawaf Salameh of blessed memory. The award presentation took place at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Among those present were His Eminence Metropolitan Emanuel, Geron of Chalcedon, as well as His Eminence Nifon, Archbishop of Târgovişte, Honorary Metropolitan and Patriarchal Exarch, who gave an address.
The noted Romanian journalist Teodora Tompea offered welcoming remarks, and Mircea Abrudean, President of the Senate of Romania, also delivered an address. Making the Award presentation was Antonio Salameh, Chairman of the Alexandrion Group and Alexandrion Foundation, and the beloved son of the late Archon Dr. Nawaf Salameh. His All-Holiness provided the capstone to the evening with his own profound and thought-provoking address.
His All-Holiness referred to “the historical continuity of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Patriarchate of Romania,” and stated: “It was with great joy that today’s Divine Service in the People’s Salvation Cathedral, and the consecration of its mosaics as a truthful and righteous symbol of the deep faith of the noble Romanian People, was celebrated before the eyes of the Nation.” He congratulated His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania and all those “whose sacrifices and energy made such a magnificent ceremony possible.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch also honored the memory of the late Archon Dr. Nawaf Mtanios Salameh, saying: “Our only comfort in this bereavement was that his falling asleep in the Lord occurred on the very day of the Holy Pascha, when the gates of the Heavenly Spheres were wide open to receive his blesséd soul.” His All-Holiness added that Archon Dr. Salameh was “a man for all seasons,” full of “discretion, circumspection, and foresight.”
His All-Holiness added that “the Alexandrion Foundation is making tremendous strides along this path of recognizing our interdependence and the spirit of synergy in our global family. As Ecumenical Patriarch, we bless your endeavors and thank you for your efforts.”
The Cantus Dominus Men’s Choir and pianist Xenti Runceanu provided an artistic moment.
The Alexandrion Foundation stated that since the enthronement of His All-Holiness in 1991, he “has supported spiritual revival, Orthodox unity, environmental protection and interfaith dialogue. He is known as the ‘Green Patriarch’ and is recognized for his pioneering work on environmental protection, including the establishment of 1 September as a day dedicated to protecting creation. His global work has strengthened links with different Christian denominations and other religious communities, helping to build mutual understanding and peace.” His All-Holiness has also “supported dialogue in regions affected by interfaith tensions, such as the former Yugoslavia and the Middle East.”
