Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in TA NEA Weekend: “As if I would fear Russian propaganda.”
The primate of Orthodoxy speaks to TA NEA Weekend about the war in Ukraine and the attack he has faced from Russia.
By Maria Mourelatou
TA NEA Weekend
January 24, 2026
On the occasion of his visit to Thessaloniki next Thursday, and against the backdrop of the tectonic changes in the postwar geopolitical order, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew speaks to Ta Nea Weekend, addressing messages in all directions.
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, the primate of Orthodoxy—who, as he notes, has from the outset stood by “the Ukrainian people, who are being severely tested by the Russian invasion”—makes it clear that this is not a “holy war,” but an expansionist war, “absolutely satanic,” which is “the result of vain people addicted to the opium of power.”
Rejecting the unprovoked attack he recently received from the press office of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, the Ecumenical Patriarch declares himself fearless in the face of the fire directed at both him and the Patriarchate by “dirty attacks” and by “Russian internet trolls,” speaking of “Stalinist propaganda tactics.” “I am not afraid of them,” he responds, while at the same time emphasizing, with regard to the global balance of terror, that “every war is a defeat for humanity.”
As the completion of the renovation works at the Theological School of Halki is expected by the summer, along with the shaping of a definitive framework for the operation of the Patriarchate’s historic educational institution, he expresses his optimism about the reopening of the School, extending an invitation to the Turkish president to inaugurate it together. “The relevant political will exists,” he confirms, adding that he hopes “the good news will come soon.”
In addition, he describes what took place at the White House during his first meeting with President Trump, while also acknowledging the pain with which he follows the hardships endured by thousands of people (including Christians) in the Middle East. As he himself says, “It is the right of our Christian brothers and sisters to remain in the place where they were born.”
What are your thoughts on the course of the peace talks regarding Ukraine, given the efforts you yourself have made toward achieving peace, which you referred to during your recent concelebration with the primate of the Church of Ukraine?
The Ecumenical Patriarchate continually prays for the cessation of wars and conflicts, and for the triumph of peace and justice in every corner of the planet. As you know, Ms. Mourelatou, from the very first moment we stood by the side of the Ukrainian people, who are being harshly tested by the Russian invasion. We showed solidarity not only with our Orthodox brothers and sisters, but with all Ukrainians, who with bravery and courage, like another David against Goliath, are defending the sacred and hallowed things of their homeland and resisting the forces that seek to lead Ukraine into the darkness of humiliation, exploitation, subjugation, and enslavement.
It is sorrowful that the inspirers and supporters of the so-called “Russian World” do not hesitate to instrumentalize religious feeling and to distort Orthodox theology and tradition by labeling this war as “holy,” a war whose victims to this day number tens of thousands of lives, among them young soldiers on both sides, civilian populations, and, tragically, many small children. And, as I have said on other occasions, I am saddened that even ecclesiastical figures adopted and repeated this unholy and heretical narrative, evidently submitting to the dictates of political authorities, perhaps in exchange for the various forms of support provided to them by different propaganda mechanisms and services. No, therefore, their war is not holy; it is expansionist, it is absolutely satanic, the result of vain people addicted to the opium of power.
We pray and hope that all the peace efforts currently under way will bear fruit. Peace must and can return to Ukraine, with respect for its national independence and with a comprehensive plan for its reconstruction. Only in this way can there be a hopeful prospect for all Ukrainians, and certainly for our Orthodox brothers and sisters, who united must work in this direction. The first-throned Church of Constantinople, from which many peoples received baptism, among them today’s Ukrainians and Russians, implores with all its strength Christ, the Prince of Peace, to stop this bloodshed and to restore peace once again.
“Your All-Holiness, are you concerned about the Russian attacks against you personally? Do all these things they say about you frighten you?”
Frighten me? No, no! As if I would be afraid of Russian propaganda. I am not afraid of the false and fabricated information they circulate, nor of their dirty attacks planned by various services, nor of the slanders they hurl against our Patriarchate and against me personally, nor of Russian internet trolls, nor of their mouthpiece websites. Whatever they do to obscure the truth, they cannot hide it; they cannot deceive everyone forever. I do not fear them. On the contrary, all of them should fear the Day of Judgment—if, of course, they believe. And among many other things, they will be judged for the war in Ukraine, for having characterized it as “holy,” and for their efforts to dismantle the unity of Orthodoxy by applying Stalinist propaganda tactics in order to control it, subjugate it, and manipulate Orthodox peoples. Clearly, they wish to create a Russian-driven hybrid, a construct that has nothing to do with Orthodoxy. They therefore accuse Constantinople of all that they themselves do, judging others by their own standards. They try to shake off the very heavy responsibilities they bear and shift them elsewhere. It is always someone else’s fault. A mirroring, a projection onto others of their own subversive actions. I therefore repeat once again: I do not fear them; I do not fear insults, slanders, improprieties, nor whatever else they may be planning. The recent statement of the Russian secret services revealed not only how far propagandists can go, but also showed urbi et orbi who really holds the upper hand even in ecclesiastical matters in Russia.
“Are you concerned about the protection of Christian populations who are being tested in the Middle East, especially in Syria?”
Of course I am concerned about the situation of our brothers and sisters throughout the Middle East. In recent years we have watched with pain everything that is happening in the wider region. Thousands of our fellow human beings, many of them Christians, have been forced to abandon their homes, to be uprooted from the land of their ancestors, and to take the path of exile. We are troubled by the shrinking of the Christian presence in the places where our Lord Jesus Christ was born, taught, was crucified, and rose again. It wounds us to see our sisters and brothers suffer and be in danger while living in environments of insecurity and conflict. As always, we stand in solidarity with the ancient Patriarchates of Antioch and Jerusalem, and we unite our prayers with those of their Primates, the Most Blessed Patriarchs John and Theophilos, their clergy, and their faithful. We hope that local governments, as well as all who work for a peaceful Middle East, will contribute with all their strength to the protection of Christian populations—and of all residents—by creating conditions of safe living and economic development. It is the right of our Christian brothers and sisters to remain in the place where they were born. And those who were uprooted should be able to return as soon as possible to their ancestral homes.
“Given the volatile international situation, do you fear that we may be led into a more serious global confrontation?”
I pray that Christ the Savior will intervene and enlighten the leaders of the world to address whatever issues exist with calmness, without egotism and absolutism, with respect for international law and international agreements, and above all with the citizens of their countries in mind. As we have stated in the past, war—the killing of one human being by another, brother killing brother—is the most abhorrent and unacceptable imprint of the destructive and decadent condition in which humanity, sadly, continues to be held captive. This reality stands in complete contrast to the teaching of our Lord. We must set as our priorities peace, dialogue and mutual understanding, and the future of our children.
Every war, every conflictual act that undermines peace and violates respect for the human person—who is the image of God Himself—is a defeat of humanity. I repeat: war is a defeat of humanity. This is what is happening today in Ukraine, as well as in other regions of our planet that are experiencing the consequences of human arrogance and the warlike ambitions of certain leaders.
War is not a solution. It cannot be a solution. It should not even be our last resort. The two World Wars taught us this, with their millions of victims. And not only them, but also the smaller wars of recent decades, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. The only safe path for overcoming differences is dialogue. It is the only option if humanity is to live in peace, without wars, violence, and conflicts.
“How do you assess your recent visit to the White House, based on what you discussed with President Trump, and is there anything in particular that stayed with you from what he said?”
It was our first meeting, and we had the opportunity, in a cordial atmosphere, to discuss with His Excellency the President the initiatives, ministry, and ecumenical mission of the First-Throned Church of Orthodoxy. He welcomed us warmly and showed great interest in the matters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as did the Vice President of the United States and the President’s close associates who were present at the meeting in the Oval Office. We retain the very best impressions and hope that we will have the opportunity to reciprocate the hospitality at our See, at the Phanar, as happened with other predecessors among American Presidents.
“Do you believe there are solid indications that the Theological School of Halki will reopen soon, and how do you evaluate your cooperation with the Turkish authorities?”
Ms. Mourelatou, I can only express my optimism. The issue of reopening our School returned to the forefront through the initiative of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Erdoğan, who gave the relevant instruction to the Minister of National Education, His Excellency Mr. Yusuf Tekin, to begin dialogue for this purpose between the Ministry and the Patriarchate. The first step was taken in May 2024, when the Minister visited our Theological School, and since then several meetings have taken place between the two sides. I believe that significant progress has been made, although some issues still need to be resolved. It appears, however, that there is the necessary political will, which gives us hope that the good news will come soon from the State authorities. At present, extensive renovation works are being carried out in the historic building of the School and its surrounding area, with the financial contribution and overall support of the Archon Exarch of the Mother Church, the Honorable Mr. Athanasios Martinos, Ecumenical Great Benefactor, and his wife, the Honorable Mrs. Marina. The works are expected to be completed by the summer, and we hope that by then the final operational framework of the School will have been established and the relevant permit granted, so that, after 55 years, it may once again welcome new students. And we will invite His Excellency the President to inaugurate together the reopening of the historic educational institution of our Patriarchate.
“What messages would you like to convey from Thessaloniki, which you plan to visit in the coming days?”
Every visit to Greece gives us the opportunity to communicate face to face with the pious Greek people, who always honor and respect the venerable Center of Orthodoxy and of the Nation. This time we are visiting the city of Saints Demetrios and Gregory Palamas, responding to the invitation of its shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, and the Board of the Philoptochos Brotherhood of Men of Thessaloniki, in order to preside over the anniversary events marking the 155 years since the founding of this important charitable association with its multifaceted social activity and contribution. As our presence in Thessaloniki coincides with the feast of the Three Hierarchs, the protectors of learning, we will preside on the feast day in the morning at the Divine Liturgy in the festal namesake Holy Church of the Metropolis of Thessaloniki, while on the eve we will deliver the main address at the celebratory event of the Theological School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. During our stay we will also visit the neighboring Holy Metropolises of Neapoli and Stavroupoli, and of Nea Krini and Kalamaria.
It is an opportunity, in the context of what we have already said, for us all to pray together for the end of wars and for the triumph of peace in our world. Prayer, after all, is the shield of the people of God, and I believe that today we need it more than ever—especially our brothers and sisters who are tested by illness, by poverty, and by wars and their consequences.
Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
