Honorary Doctorate awarded to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during historic visit 

·

The University of Notre Dame Australia has awarded an Honorary Doctorate to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in recognition of his inspiring work to unify contemporary society. 

His All-Holiness is the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians across the globe, and a voice of  hope and unity who travels around the world encouraging inter-faith dialogue. 

The Honorary Doctorate was conferred on His All-Holiness during a special ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Monday, October 7. 

Notre Dame’s Chancellor, The Hon. Christopher Ellison, said it was an honour to recognise the role played by His All-Holiness in promoting unity during his historic visit to Australia

“His All-Holiness’s religious leadership in fostering and deepening dialogue among believers serves as a  beacon of hope,” he said. 

“He plays a unique role in promoting unity among all Christians, and between humanity and nature. Through his actions, he demonstrates that living out one’s faith involves a deep commitment to ecology and to honouring creation in all its forms.” 

His All-Holiness praised Notre Dame for its commitment to bridge-building, integrating and embracing  differences and offering its students both global and local experiences to facilitate outreach to the most  marginalised members of society.  

Photo: Giovanni Portelli.

“We are always in closer proximity to each other in more ways than we are distant from or different to one another,” His All-Holiness said. 

“There is incomparably more than we share with each other and resemble one another than what may separate us if only we begin to see the other with new eyes.” 

His All-Holiness’ leadership is marked by his commitment to visiting Orthodox communities, while also building meaningful relationships with other Christian churches and communities, and leaders from other  faiths. 

He played an important role in building Catholic-Orthodox relations when he attended the inauguration of His Holiness Pope Francis in March 2013.  

The following year, Pope Francis and His All Holiness jointly declared their resolution to promote the “full unity of all Christians.” 

The visit by His All Holiness coincides with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Greek Orthodox  Archdiocese of Australia – a milestone for more than 400,000 Australians. 

He has visited Australia twice as Ecumenical Patriarch and spent time at Notre Dame’s Fremantle Campus during his first visit in 1996. 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Dr Christos Theologos: ‘Dance keeps us bound to our roots, from Chios to Sydney’

As part of the Zeibekiko Festival Australia, respected folklorist Dr Christos Theologos will lead a series of lectures and workshops.

South Melbourne turns to supporters ahead of Australian Championship kick-off

The opening clash of the Australian Championship will be an event shaped by the voices of the fans themselves.

Low birth rates and ageing: The silent enemy of the Greek nation

From the late 1990s it had become clear to Greek demographers and social scientists that the number of births in Greece was falling.

Peta Trimis: The new star of Australian football with a Hellenic soul

At just 19 years old, Peta Trimis is already being hailed as one of the brightest young stars of Australian football.

A second chance at life: Angelo Alateras’ journey from mechanical heart to transplant hope

After years on life support, 80kgs lost, and 615 days of physio, Angelo finally received the gift of a new heart.

You May Also Like

Greece hails EU for cancelling ‘Turkaegean’ trademark

The EUIPO has annulled Turkey's widely criticised "Turkaegean" trademark, registered in 2021 by Turkey’s tourism agency.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis calls for solidarity between Greek regional leaders on refugee crisis

"We are not exaggerating the problem, but we are not underestimating it at all," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said demandingly in a meeting with...

New Ambassador of Greece to Australia visits Archbishop Makarios in Sydney

Mr Stavros Venizelos, along with his wife and the Consul General, visited Archbishop Makarios of Australia in Sydney on Friday, March 22.