His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was welcomed on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros hosted a luncheon in his honor and in gratitude to the Templeton Prize Committee, which will bestow the prestigious Templeton Prize upon His All-Holiness in honor of his “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.”
Present was 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 Grand Protopresbyter of the Holy and Great Church of Christ Father 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 many other Archons and dignitaries.
Also present was the mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, who presented His All-Holiness with the Key to New York City. Mayor Adams stated: “You have unlocked our hearts here in the city.” Praising His All-Holiness’ prophetic calls for responsible stewardship of the natural environment, the mayor Adams also noted that “we have been abusive towards Mother Earth.”
Later, Mayor Adams stated: “It was a great honor to stand with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America today as we presented a ‘Key to the City’ to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. His commitment to the environment and his inspiring leadership serve as an example for many.”
