His All Holiness Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch for 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, planted an olive tree in the KKL-JNF Grove of Nations today. The Ecumenical Patriarch invited the Pope to join him in Israel to commemorate the historic meeting fifty years ago between their two predecessors.
The Ecumenical Patriarch was accompanied by five Metropolitans of the Greek Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, Metropolitan Gennadios of Italy, Metropolitan Iakovos of the Princess Islands, Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima and Metropolitan Job of Telmessos. A number of archbishops, bishops, Orthodox clergy and other guests attended the event.
KKL-JNF World World Chairman Efi Stenzler said, "In the past two decades, the world has witnessed alarming environmental issues –climate change, the loss of biodiversity and the pollution of natural resources. In the midst of this crisis, one religious leader has discerned the signs of the times and called people's attention to this ecological and social situation. His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has persistently proclaimed the primacy of spiritual values in determining environmental ethics and action. His endeavors have earned him the title "Green Patriarch". I was amazed to see that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World for "defining environmentalism as a spiritual responsibility."
"In the KKL-JNF, we too see our environmental actions in Israel as a spiritual responsibility. We have been the caretaker of the land of Israel for the last 114 years. In that time, the KKL-JNF has led Jewish people from around the world on an unprecedented forestry project. Together we have transformed this desolate land into a marvelous green country. We have planted over 248 million trees planted throughout the years in order to make this miracle happen."
The Ecumenical Patriarch remarked that his tree was "just a seed", and that he planted his tree in the hopes that Orthodox believers around the world would follow in his footsteps and join him in planting their own trees in Israel, as a symbol of the living dialogue between the various monotheistic faiths that the Patriarch and the Pope have been encouraging during their joint visit.
"The life of relationships begins with dialogue," His All Holiness said, "and the life of the environment begins with trees. One tree, one dialogue can make a difference. But together, many trees and many dialogues can impact the environment, whether it would be the natural environment or the environment of international relationships.
Planting this olive tree is a special honor, for me, my church and my nation. I planted many trees around the world, in churches, monasteries, schools and more. However, planting a tree here, in the Holy Land, has an important and superior value for me.
I live in a village known as olive village and I hope this olive tree we have planted here will bare many fruits. I thank you for this privilege to plant a tree, which will further deepen my roots in the holy land."
His All Holiness has commented on the issue of environmental protection claiming that "the environment is a miracle of creation and therefore it is holy. I consider environmental pollution as a sin. Hence, I believe that protecting and preserving the environment is not only an economical or social issue, but rather a theological one. "
Known as the "Green Patriarch", the environmental initiatives of the Ecumenical Patriarch have been acknowledged for a decade in Europe. In 2000, Vice President Al Gore and Scenic Hudson honored him with the international visionary award for environmental achievement at ceremonies in New York City.
In Europe, the Sophie Foundation of Norway awarded Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew the prestigious Sophie Prize for pioneering efforts in linking faith to the environment.
Photo Caption: (Left to right) KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Photo Credit: Sasson Tiram, Courtesy of KKL-JNF.
