Canadian Politicians Honour His All-Holiness

On November 30, 2017, the Feast of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-called, Patron of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Canadian politicians honoured both the Great Church of Christ, as well as His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

With the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios, the Ecumenical Patriarchate Archons of Canada coordinated statements that were read in the Senate of Canada, the House of Commons, and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Our Holy Metropolis warmly thanks and expresses its gratitude to Senator Leo Housakos (Quebec), Member of Parliament Ziad Aboultaif (Alberta), and Member of Provincial Parliament Toby Barrett (Ontario).

Senator Housakos is an Archon-elect of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the former Speaker of the Senate, a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and a great supporter and advocate of our Metropolis. Mr. Aboultaif represents the riding of Edmonton Manning and is a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Mr. Barrett represents the riding of Haldimand—Norfolk, is the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario Caucus Chair, and a member of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

We also sincerely appreciate the support of the Hon. Andrew Scheer, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition, together with the Hon. Patrick Brown, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and Leader of the Official Opposition.

Below are the statements delivered according to the official records of the Parliament of Canada and Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Hon. Leo Housakos: Honourable senators, it is an honour for me to stand in the Senate today to recognize and celebrate the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople as well as to pay tribute to a man whose humility and service to humanity is truly exceptional.

Spanning 17 centuries, the Ecumenical Patriarchate is the highest see of the Orthodox Christian Church. Today is the Patron Feast of the Patriarchate as the Orthodox Christian Church celebrates St. Andrew, the First-Called Apostle, who is the founder of the church in Constantinople.

The Patriarchate is led by His All-Holiness Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians. His All-Holiness was born in 1940 on the Island of Imvros. In 1961, he graduated with highest honours from the Theological School of Halki, which unfortunately remains closed by Turkish authorities.

Since becoming Ecumenical Patriarch in 1991, and in spite of religious persecution, he has transformed the highest see of the Orthodox Church. He has spearheaded inter-Christian collaboration, he has led a dialogue of love with Jewish and Muslim leaders, and he has been a leader on the environmental issues, earning him the title of “green patriarch.” His All-Holiness also convened and chaired the historic Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church in June 2016 on the Greek island of Crete.

On behalf of all Orthodox Christians in Canada, I extend my warmest wishes to the patriarch on the Patron Feast today and sincerely congratulate the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, wishing him many years of good health.

Axios! Thank you, colleagues.

Mr. Ziad Aboultaif: Mr. Speaker, I stand today to celebrate a deeply respected institution and to pay tribute to a man, whose life is distinguished by sacrifice, selflessness, and service.

Today is the feast of St. Andrew, the patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Patriarchate is the centre and highest See of the Orthodox Church, led by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. He is the spiritual leader of the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians.

Despite facing religious persecution, His All-Holiness perseveres to promote religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

On behalf of the Conservative Party of Canada, I send warmest wishes to His All-Holiness Bartholomew and the hundreds of thousands of Orthodox Christians across Canada for the joyous feast of Saint Andrew.

Mr. Toby Barrett: Today is a special day for Ontario’s Orthodox Christian community. November 30 is the Feast of St. Andrew, the first-called apostle. Andrew is the patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Notwithstanding continued religious persecution, the Patriarchate perseveres. This is principally the result of the extraordinary vision, the leadership and the strong faith of one man.

Since 1991, the spiritual leader of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church has been his All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. His All-Holiness is truly a unique and transformational religious leader. Rabbi David Rosen of the American Jewish community calls Bartholomew not only “an inspiring example for his own flock and faith, but indeed for all religious communities and for all of society.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch has worked tirelessly to foster better understanding and peaceful coexistence between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The message of love and tolerance from Patriarch Bartholomew is especially needed in the Holy Lands and the Middle East where the persecution of Christians is most acute.

As hundreds of thousands who confess the Orthodox faith here in Ontario—led by His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios—celebrate the Feast of St. Andrew today, let us remember and work towards improving religious freedom and protecting persecuted minorities around the world.