By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Konstantinos Christopoulos from Greece

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, archbishop of Constantinople and New Rome and the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, made an official visit to Korea from Dec. 3-8 last year, his fourth as the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Previously visiting Korea in 1995, 2000 and 2005, he made his most recent trip to mark the 50th anniversary of St. Nicholas Cathedral at the Orthodox Metropolis of Korea in Seoul. The facility was designated a cultural monument by the Seoul city government in 2015.

In a Dec. 4 news conference in Seoul, the archbishop expressed his support for President Moon Jae-in's efforts toward Korean reunification, saying the Orthodox Christian Church and the global Orthodox community are praying for peaceful reunification. He added that his church is praying for separated families in both Koreas as well, especially those unable to reunite, saying he shares the pain that national division has brought to the Korean people.

Bartholomew also hailed the summit last year of U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as "a milestone for peace."

On Dec. 5 and 6, Bartholomew held services at the cathedral and led a prayer for peace on the Korean Peninsula, with Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jong-hwan attending.

On Dec. 7, the so-called Green Patriarch, a nickname he earned for eco-friendly efforts, opened an international symposium on the environment with his lecture "Ecology, Theology and Human Dignity in the Orthodox Christian Tradition" organized by the Orthodox Metropolis of Korea in Seoul.


The same day, President Moon Jae-in, in a meeting with the priest at Cheong Wa Dae, said he greatly appreciates the archbishop’s dedication to a movement to reconcile religions and sects as well as protect the environment. The president also asked for Bartholomew's wisdom and guidance as Korea takes on similar challenges like reconciliation of people with different ideas, the establishment of inter-Korean peace and the restoration of an environment damaged by excessive development.

The archbishop offered gratitude and support for President Moon's efforts to build peace and reunify the Korean Peninsula, adding that he hopes reunification will take place during his term. The president also asked the priest to pray for peace between the two Koreas.

On Dec. 8, Bartholomew visited the inter-Korean border area near ​​Cheorwon-gun County, Gangwon-do Province, to hold a memorial service for soldiers killed during the Korean War. Government officials and clergy attended the event as the archbishop prayed for peace and reunification on the peninsula. He later visited Cheorwon Peace Observatory.

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.