{"id":211,"date":"2025-04-26T16:20:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T16:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orthodoxiapost.com\/?p=211"},"modified":"2025-04-26T21:48:45","modified_gmt":"2025-04-26T21:48:45","slug":"ecumenical-patriarch-bartholomew-pope-francis-funeral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orthodoxiapost.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/26\/ecumenical-patriarch-bartholomew-pope-francis-funeral\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Accorded Position of Special Honor at Pope Francis Funeral"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during the Funeral of Pope Francis Credit: Facebook \/ Archons EP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew attended Pope Francis<\/a>‘s funeral in Rome on April 26, 2025, and was accorded a position of special honor, in keeping with his ecclesiastical prerogatives as stated in the canons of the Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Christian Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the papal funeral, His All-Holiness was situated in a position of immense honor, next to the high altar and in front of the Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. This placement was in accord with canon 3 of the Second Ecumenical Council, which was held in Constantinople in the year 381, and which stipulates that in the order of the hierarchs, the Archbishop of Constantinople<\/a> is second only to the Bishop of Rome: \u201cThe Bishop of Constantinople\u2026 shall have the prerogative of honor after the Bishop of Rome; because Constantinople is New Rome.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fourth Ecumenical Council, in Chalcedon in 451, likewise noted that the Sacred See of Constantinople \u201cenjoys equal privileges with the old imperial Rome, should in ecclesiastical matters also be magnified as she is, and rank next after her.\u201d The Penthekti (Quinisext) Council of 692 affirmed that \u201cthe see of Constantinople shall have equal privileges with the see of Old Rome, and shall be highly regarded in ecclesiastical matters as that is, and shall be second after it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His All-Holiness stated that Pope Francis was a \u201cprecious brother in Christ\u201d and \u201ca true friend of Orthodoxy.\u201d He added: \u201cThroughout these twelve years of his papacy, he was a faithful friend, companion, and supporter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate\u2026 He left behind an example of genuine humility and brotherly love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patriarch Bartholomew Position at Pope Francis’ Funeral a sign of respect for the Oikoumene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Burial of Pope Francis Credit: YouTube Screenshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Ecumenical Patriarch\u2019s position of high honor at Pope Francis\u2019 funeral was just one recent indication of the profound respect in which he is held in the entire oikoumene. Another such indication is the fact that when His All-Holiness returns the United States this September, he will receive the Templeton Prize, a prestigious international award that will be bestowed in honor of his \u201cpioneering efforts to bridge scientific and spiritual understandings of humanity\u2019s relationship with the natural world, bringing together people of different faiths to heed a call for stewardship of creation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us resolve now to redouble our efforts to amplify the message of this remarkable man that our loving God has graciously bestowed upon His Church, and for the support and protection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as it continues its worldwide spiritual ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yours in the service of our Holy Mother Church,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anthony J. Limberakis, MD
Archon Megas Aktouarios
National Commander<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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