On a day filled with prayer and brotherly fellowship, the Orthodox faithful of New York gathered at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Southampton, NY, to welcome His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual father of world Orthodoxy and Archbishop of Constantinople–New Rome.

Among the hierarchs prayerfully present were His Eminence Metropolitan Antony - Spiritual Father of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel - President of the Consistory of the UOC of the USA. Together, they joined hierarchs representing the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Albanian Orthodox Eparchy, the American Carpatho-Rusyn Orthodox Church manifesting the unity of the Body of Christ.

In the spirit of apostolic unity, the hierarchs and clergy embraced His All-Holiness with filial reverence. The Patriarch, often called the Archpastor of the Great Church of Christ, was greeted as a father in faith, a shepherd carrying the mantle of service entrusted to him through the succession of the Throne of Constantinople.

Patriarch Bartholomew, addressing the assembled bishops and faithful, spoke with paternal clarity about the divine call of service entrusted to every archpastor: “The ministry of the Church is not ours, but Christ’s. Though the world presents us with countless challenges, we are called always to proclaim with courage the eternal truth of the Gospel, never bending to the spirit of the age, but remaining steadfast in the love of God and service to His people.”

His All-Holiness spoke with urgency about the challenges facing the Church in today’s world: “Our age places lofty demands upon those who serve the Church of Christ. New and familiar currents arise, threatening the sanctity of the human person and the integrity of creation. They fill the human soul with idols and illusions, and they obstruct the glad tidings of freedom in Christ from entering our mind and our heart.

In the face of these challenges, the Church is summoned to exercise in a Christ-like manner the sanctifying work of service. Obviously, this can never be accomplished from a stance of introversion. The Patriarchate has never been the exponent of a closed order. At no point in the Church’s historical journey has introversion expressed the authenticity of Christians, nor has it ever brought benefit to the Church or her sacred mission. The objection to the Church’s witness in the world, entangled in the ambiguity of human affairs, is without theological foundation.”

In a particularly moving portion of his address, Patriarch Bartholomew turned to the question of science, technology, and faith. Speaking in the United States - a nation at the forefront of scientific and technological progress - he reminded the faithful that science itself is a gift from God:

“Science is a gift from God to humankind. The incomprehensible progress of science and technology, crowned today by artificial intelligence, does not, of course, overturn what we know about the human being and the basic conditions of this life as a bridge chosen between heaven and earth.

Within us, in spite of the wonders of science, the existential contradictions of man and the questions of his freedom remain. Humanity is never taken for granted - it is attained through personal struggle and sacrifice. The human being seeks meaning in life and spiritual values. He philosophizes, and he stands before the grandeur of the starry heavens and the mystery of his own freedom. He is drawn by beauty and listens for the voice of heaven.

It is certain that the human person is always more than what science can grasp. Science is indeed the great power of our age, but it is not omnipotent. Faith in God is also a great power. It represents the truth that our life is not exhausted by its earthly frame, but that humanity has a transcendent and eternal destiny.

The quality of our society is judged not merely by its level of technological or economic development, but above all by its spiritual orientation. As the Apostle Paul wrote: ‘Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy—think about these things, and the God of peace will be with you’ (Philippians 4:8-9).”

These words, delivered with conviction, placed before the faithful a vision of balance: embracing the wonders of human achievement while never losing sight of the eternal call of God.

Following the prayerful meeting, the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful entered into worship together. The Vespers Service, presided over by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, became a profound moment of thanksgiving, invoking the grace of the Holy Spirit to strengthen the mission of the Orthodox Christians in America and throughout the world.

This sacred encounter in Southampton will be remembered as a testimony of Orthodox unity, brotherly love, and fidelity to the Gospel, which continues to serve as the beacon of faith for all Orthodox Christians across the world.