As Orthodox Christians, we use the Greek word kairos to describe a critical moment in time, often a specific historical period with lasting repercussions and eternal significance. For humankind and the planet as a whole, now is our kairos: the decisive time in our relationship with all of God’s creation, when we must respond in an opportune manner to protect life on earth from the worst consequences of human recklessness. May God grant us the wisdom to act promptly."
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
Welcome to the Greening the Parish Resource Page!
This webpage is inspired by the monumental work of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, affectionately known as the Green Patriarch, and provides resource material for fulfilling our vocation as stewards of creation and working towards greening our parishes.
The resource page offers a historical record of the ecological initiatives and activities of His All-Holiness, featuring Encyclicals for September 1st as the Day of Prayer for and Protection of the Natural Environment, and highlighting the Patriarch’s work in global environmental advocacy and action.
The Greening the Parish webinar series explores different practical perspectives to understand and implement the theology of creation care at home as well as in your local community. The Orthodox Creation Care Toolkit features practical methods and manuals for starting immediately and proceeding effectively with this important work on the parish level. Finally, this section draws attention to diverse resources to supplement the functional tools with opportunities to learn more about environmental practices within the Orthodox Christian tradition and the context of other traditions.
We sincerely hope that this page will assist you in your efforts to green your parish and adopt a life of environmental stewardship.
The Green Patriarch
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
The Ecumenical Patriarch has persistently proclaimed the primacy of spiritual values in determining environmental ethics and action. To this end, he has spoken in global organizations and addressed religious assemblies, while encouraging Orthodox Christians throughout the world to care for God’s creation.
In 2008, the Ecumenical Patriarch was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World for “defining environmentalism as a spiritual responsibility.”
September 1st Encyclicals
Videos
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Interview Patriarch Bartholomew - Water in Times of Climate Change - 2020 »
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His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, “Climate Change Matters to God” - 2019 »
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The Green Patriarch - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew - 2018 »
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Ecology as a way of life | Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew | TEDxRhodes - 2017 »
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Living Waters [Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew] - Beckett Films Rendition »
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Vice President Al Gore welcomes the "Green Patriarch" - 2009 »
Orthodox Creation Care Toolkit
Webinars
Webinars
Creation Care
Greening the Parish
Books
Articles
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The Face of God: The Orthodox Church on Climate Change, a Pan-Orthodox Film »
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Preface to "For the Life of the World" - Social Ethos Document »
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"Bring It On Home" - God's Creation, That Is! Using Nature to Enhance Your "Little Church" »
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SCOBA Statement on Global Climate Change: A Moral and Spiritual Challenge »
Videos & Films
Resources
General Resources
Books and Articles
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Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis - Rev. Dr. Leah Schade
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How Big is the Energy Efficiency Resource? By Amory Lovins »