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Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is the First Throne of the Orthodox Church and the spiritual center of world Orthodoxy. Established by the Holy Apostles and sanctified by centuries of faith, the Patriarchate is located in present-day Istanbul, Turkey, and serves as the Mother Church for Orthodox Christians throughout the world. Its mission is to preserve and proclaim the true faith of the Apostles, to foster unity among the Orthodox Churches, and to be a voice of peace and dialogue in the modern world.
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the 270th successor to the Apostle Andrew, serves as the spiritual leader of over 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide. The Patriarchate provides guidance to its eparchies—including the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America—and promotes Christian witness, theological education, and environmental stewardship. Through its sacred heritage and apostolic authority, the Ecumenical Patriarchate continues to radiate the timeless truth and love of the Orthodox Faith.