On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the final day of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit to Washington, D.C., the first segment of his Apostolic Visit to the United States, he attended a luncheon in his honor at the U.S. Capitol Building. Hosting the luncheon was the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Mike Johnson (R.-La.).
Accompanying His All-Holiness were His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America; the Hierarchs and other members of the Patriarchal delegation; the Spiritual Advisor of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Alexander Karloutsos; Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; the Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, National Vice Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; and numerous other Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
In attendance were the Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D.-N.Y.), the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D.-Ca.), former Speaker of the House of Representatives; and numerous other representatives and other dignitaries.
In his remarks at the luncheon, His All-Holiness stated: “It is with deep gratitude and admiration that we return to this esteemed institution—the United States Capitol—a symbol of liberty and the rule of law. We are especially mindful of the honor bestowed upon us here in 1997 with the Gold Medal of Congress.” He stressed that “in this center of political and secular authority, we maintain that the spiritual values are absolutely essential. The virtuous exercise of power must align with the Divine Plan—what we in Greek call οἰκονομία, or ‘divine stewardship.’ This stewardship encompasses all of creation, entrusted to humanity by its Creator.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch went on to discuss how “here in the Capitol—the ‘People’s House’—we see how a young nation evolved to become a powerful symbol of unity in diversity.” He stated: “There is so much to be proud of in the American experience. The Capitol itself bears witness to the great experiment that is called the United States of America.”
His All-Holiness noted a key similarity between the United States of America and the Orthodox Christian Faith: “The Ecumenical Patriarchate understands how it is possible for such diverse peoples to come together and to be ‘E Pluribus Unum,’ for the same is true of our Orthodox Christian Faith, which accepts all persons who come in sincerity of heart.”
Read His All-Holiness’ full remarks here.
