Istanbul, April 17 - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been named as the recipient of the 2002 Award of the Binding Institute of Liechtenstein for his efforts toward the protection of nature and the environment. The award, which brings 50,000 Swiss Francs (equivalent of almost $30,000), will be conferred upon His All Holiness at a ceremony in November in the capital of the Principality in the presence of some 400 dignitaries.

The award was the second major recognition of the leadership of His All Holiness in issues relating to the environment. In the past week, it was announced that he had been named the winner of the Sophie Prize of Norway, valued at $100,000, which will be awarded at a ceremony in Oslo on June 12, 2002. With regard to that award, the Ecumenical Patriarch announced today that the monies would be distributed through UNICEF to the destitute children of Africa, to the street children of Istanbul and Athens, and to organizations supporting ecological activities.

In addition, it was announced by the Holy Synod that the Ecumenical Patriarch would receive the title of Honorary Doctor of the School for the Protection of Cultural Treasures of the University of Ravenna in Italy in June.