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Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew made an appeal for peace in a reference to the ongoing wars in the Middle East and Ukraine on Tuesday, during an official visit to Athens where he addressed Greek lawmakers for the first time in 25 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a fact that the modern version of so-called realpolitik has completely taken over international law, and the very charter of the United Nations, which is governed by the general principle of the peaceful resolution of disputes,\u201d the head of the Orthodox Church said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNever in the history of mankind has peace been a self-evident state, but has always been achieved as a result of inspired initiatives of bravery and self-sacrifice, of the rejection of violence as a means of resolving differences, of constant struggles for justice and the protection of the sanctity of the human person,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
Bartholomew said religions are criticized today, because instead of functioning as forces of peace, they often fuel fanaticism and violence in the name of God. \u201cWe personally, in the unshakable conviction that peace among peoples and civilizations is impossible without peace among religions, and their broader contribution to the global struggle for peace, praise and support every sincere peace initiative, and we strive ceaselessly for interreligious cooperation, and the promotion and exercise of the peace-making role of religions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe consider fundamentalism a degradation of religious experience, and in no way a phenomenon inherent in faith. The sincerity of faith is the strictest judge of religious fanaticism and intolerance.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year marks 35 years since Bartholomew assumed his leadership role and 65 years since he was ordained.<\/p>\n
Following his address, the Speaker of Parliament is expected to award the Ecumenical Patriarch the institution\u2019s Gold Medal of Honor.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n