In the historic Church of St. Paraskevi in Constantinople on its patronal feast, July 26, 2026, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew spoke movingly about the holy martyrs, and reflected upon the grim reality of the persecution of Christians today.

In the course of his remarks, the Ecumenical Patriarch lamented once again that the Russian government is waging an unjust war against its “Orthodox neighbor,” Ukraine, with the full approval of the Moscow Patriarchate, which has even blessed the conflict as a “holy war.” His All-Holiness has warned on numerous occasions that the concept of a “holy war” is incoherent, and that there can never be such a war.

His All-Holiness declared forthrightly that “truth is under attack. The followers of the Risen Lord are once again being persecuted, especially in the Middle East, the cradle of Christianity, which continues to give birth to new martyrs of the faith in our own time.” He noted disapprovingly that some have even dared to wage war in the name of the “Prince of Peace,” and continue to do so today.

It was tragic, said the Ecumenical Patriarch, that “the Orthodox Russian Federation turned against its Orthodox neighbor,” and that the Moscow Patriarchate described this conflict, a product of Russian aggression, as a “holy war,” even going so far as to bless weapons and promise eternal life to Russian Orthodox soldiers who fought against “their Ukrainian brothers.”

On May 20, 2026, His All-Holiness further explained the absolute incompatibility between the concepts of holiness and war: “The new creation bestowed upon us by the risen Lord allows no room for hatred and enmity, only love, love without limits, compassion and understanding. By this shall all know that we are true disciples of the risen one: if we have love for one another and for all people. We must always proclaim peace and brotherhood among peoples and nations, not war, even if we baptize it as ‘holy’ to please an authoritarian secular power. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a ‘holy war’! Holiness and war are, by their very nature, mutually incompatible concepts incapable of coexisting in any form!”

In remarks on March 24, 2026, the eve of the Feast of the Annunciation, His All-Holiness called upon the faithful to beseech the Most Holy Theotokos for an end to wars: “Let us fervently implore the Virgin Mary tonight to drive wars away from our world. May she bring an end to bloodshed, atrocities, violence, and our inhumanity. Her virtue and intercession can restrain human wickedness, for she was deemed worthy by God to take an active part in the salvation of us all. Today, the Theotokos becomes the new earth and the new heaven, from which a new world arises—a world of beauty, virtue, and salvation.”

His All-Holiness added: “May the joy of the Incarnation of the Word of God spread everywhere, so that peoples may advance in harmony and brotherhood and walk together toward enduring love, true justice, and the longed-for peace. Only these bring lasting and inalienable joy to humanity and to the nations of the earth—this is the message proclaimed by the Church: ‘Rejoice, O earth, with great joy; praise, O heavens, the glory of God!’”

The Ecumenical Patriarch concluded with a thoughtful reference to the Feast of the Annunciation: “The Annunciation is a consoling teaching, a voice of optimism, a proclamation of joy—the glad tidings of God’s goodwill and peace on earth.” The peace that the Annunciation brings to the earth is antithetical to the very ethos of war. War is, therefore, fundamentally opposed to the Christian Faith.

“History,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch in August 2025, “is replete with violence and cruelty,” but “never before has humanity been able to destroy so many lives and so much of the planet’s resources simultaneously.” He accordingly called upon Christians to reject war “as a political and national necessity,” saying that peace was “an existential and spiritual demand.”

“Peace,” he said, “always—and ultimately—starts in the heart. It takes time, toil, and tears. Nevertheless, it is our only hope for survival as individuals, as nations, and as a species.”

His All-Holiness reminded his audience of the Lord Jesus’ words: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Let us meditate upon these words anew in light of his explanation of them: “To be ‘peacemakers’ is to move away from what serves our own interests to what embraces the rights of others.” To do that consistently and in a thoroughgoing manner would indeed transform the world.

See the original article here.

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In response to the commitment His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America made during his Opening Remarks at the 48th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress, the Parish Planned Giving Matching Grant application is now available. 

> Previously: At Clergy-Laity Congress, Archbishop Elpidophoros exhorts faithful to “Rise & Build”

10 initial grants of $25,000, made possible through the generosity of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, are the first in a series of grants available to support parishes who take the strategic initiative to plan for fiscal sustainability by inviting planned gifts through a dedicated endowment. 

This initial round of grants will prioritize parishes who have attended one of the 10 regional workshops scheduled throughout the year across the Archdiocese. Eligible parishes will demonstrate how they established their program, its intent to serve the long-term sustainability of the parish, and the commitment of funds to match the grant total. 

This initiative is part of an intentional shift toward Generosity and Giving at the Archdiocese in direct response to the CARA survey date indicating that 62% of Parish Council Presidents identified parish financial generosity, sustainability and stewardship strategies and materials as resources most in need of improvement in their parishes. To that end, Archdiocesan programming on stewardship, capital endeavors, and planned giving will now align within a comprehensive model designed to inspire holistic fiscal sustainability. 

Look for more opportunities to learn about Generosity and Giving through parish planned giving, stewardship, and capital endeavors to secure a more sustainable future for your community.  

The Matching Grant application, registration opportunities for regional workshops, and planned giving resources are currently accessible at www.goarch.org/plannedgiving. 

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As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary, Orthodox Christians have an opportunity to reflect not only on their history in this nation, but also on their responsibility to prepare future generations to carry the faith forward and contribute meaningfully to the country they proudly call home. Throughout the history of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, few ministries have had a more profound influence on both the Church and society than the Archdiocese’s youth, young adult, and camping ministries. 

For generations, Orthodox Christian families came to America seeking opportunity, freedom, and a brighter future for their children. They brought with them something even more enduring than their hopes and aspirations: the Orthodox Christian faith. As they established parishes and communities across the nation, these families faced an important question that remains relevant today:

How do we help young people encounter Christ and remain rooted in their faith while living in a world that is constantly changing? 

The answer was not found in solely passing on the traditions of the Church, but in creating opportunities for young people to experience the faith as a living reality. This vision gave rise to the parish youth, young adult, and camping ministries of the Archdiocese—ministries designed to help young people know Christ, build meaningful relationships, and live their faith in service to others. 

Today, this work continues through the tireless efforts of parishes, Metropolises, Archdiocesan departments, and summer camps throughout the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Together, they provide young people with opportunities to worship, learn, and serve together, all while building community, developing leadership skills, and discovering their identity in Christ.  

Among the most transformative of these experiences are the Orthodox Christian camping ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Through Ionian Village and 17 parish and Metropolis summer camp programs, approximately 4,400 young people annually encounter Christ through prayer, worship, fellowship, education, and service. 

Orthodox Christian camps provide something increasingly rare in modern life: intentional Christian community. For one week—or several—young people come together and live within the liturgical rhythm of the Church. Prayer, Divine Services, faith-centered conversations, acts of service, leadership development, outdoor adventures, and Christ-centered friendships become part of daily life. These experiences reinforce the formation of young people in the faith both at home and in the parish by encouraging them to develop a personal relationship with Christ through prayer, reflection, and fellowship. They also cultivate qualities that benefit every aspect of life, including responsibility, compassion, teamwork, and servant leadership. 

This commitment to forming faithful Orthodox Christians continues throughout the year through parish ministries such as HOPE, JOY, GOYA, the National Young Adult League (YAL), and countless other parish initiatives. These ministries accompany young people through every stage of life, offering opportunities for spiritual growth, mentorship, fellowship, leadership development, and service. In doing so, they prepare young people not only to participate fully in the life of the Church, but also to become engaged and responsible members of society. 

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, it is important to recognize that the influence of Orthodox youth, young adult, and camping ministries extends far beyond parish life. Former campers, GOYA and YAL participants, youth workers, and volunteers now serve as clergy, educators, healthcare professionals, military personnel, public servants, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and devoted parents. Many credit these ministries with helping shape their character, deepen their faith, and inspire lifelong commitments to leadership and service. They carry these values into their families, workplaces, churches, and communities, becoming adults who volunteer their time, support charitable causes, mentor others, and strengthen institutions that serve the common good. In forming faithful Orthodox Christians, these ministries have also helped cultivate generations of Americans whose contributions continue to enrich both the Church and the nation. 

In this way, the youth, young adult, and camping ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America have contributed quietly, yet meaningfully to the American story. Rooted in the Gospel, they have helped shape generations of faithful who understand that the greatest witness of faith in Christ is found in serving others with humility, generosity, and love. These ministries have nurtured citizens who cherish both their Orthodox Christian faith and the blessings and opportunities afforded to them in this nation. 

As America enters this next chapter, continued investment in these ministries remains essential by ensuring that future generations do not simply inherit Orthodoxy as part of their history, but embrace it as the foundation of their lives. In doing so, our young people will continue to strengthen the Church, serve their communities, and contribute to the flourishing of the United States for generations to come.

This article is published as part of the America at 250: Orthodoxy in a New Homeland media initiative co-organized by the Orthodox Observer and the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to honor the contributions and experience of Orthodox Christianity in America and celebrate 250th anniversary of America’s founding.

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