HIS ALL-HOLINESS ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW І AS PATRIARCH AND HUMANIST

Abstract

The article examines the figure of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, his pastoral ministry and humanistic attitude to the world and man on the basis of various sources and from the standpoint of comparative analysis. The problem of humanism and human relations is one of the main problems of the modern world, and Dimitrios Archondonis – Bartholomew I demonstrates with his life and deeds, the example of Christian humanism and love of neighbour, as it is commanded by Jesus Christ himself in the New Testament. The process of Ukrainian state renaissance, its national and spiritual formation are followed by a growing interest in Christian humanism, which in its essence and direction is an effective means of "moral healing", "spiritual revival", the formation of national identity, affirmation of its culture and "healthy" consciousness. Various philosophical, scientific, religious and other ideas and views on ecology, nature and man, the meaning of its existence, place and role in the world, which were developed and implemented throughout the historical development of world philosophy and culture in modern Ukraine need not only ideological and theoretical reasoning, but also a visual demonstration of examples of Christian humanism, an example of which is Bartholomew's I life and pastoral serving of God.  Emphasizing the existence of a deep moral crisis in modern society, the Ecumenical Patriarch sees the root cause of all global problems in it. The way out of this crisis, in his opinion, is the formation of a new philosophy of international relations, the focus on broad international cooperation, the creation of a common European home, the Christianization of the whole Earth through the "evangelization of its peoples." Like all Christian churches, the Orthodox patriarch believes that the problem of war and peace is a planetary, global problem and at the same time a global challenge to all "globalized humanity" today. And the development of a new concept called "theology of peace" (or Orthodox "myrology"), started in the 60s of last century created by his ideologues, was the response of Orthodoxy to this challenge.  A characteristic feature of the whole period of Bartholomew's I Patriarchal reign is the constant moral and humanistic dialogue not only in the middle of Orthodoxy itself, but also among the whole Christian world as a whole. The idea of harmony, tolerance, mutual understanding for him is the main issue for conversation and constructive dialogue with various religious figures and denominations.