Patriarch Bartholomew hospitalized in Washington

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the Istanbul-based spiritual leader of roughly 300 million Orthodox Christians, was hospitalized in the U.S.

Monday October 25 2021 10:41 am

Duvar English

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the Istanbul-based spiritual leader of roughly 300 million Orthodox Christians, was hospitalized in Washington D.C. after feeling unwell, Kathimerini reported.

Bartholomew, 81, felt unwell shortly before leaving for the service at St. Sophia Cathedral on Oct. 24, due to the long flight and the busy schedule of events that followed immediately after his arrival in the United States.

His doctor advised him to rest and he was taken to George Washington University Hospital for precautionary reasons.

The Ecumenical Patriarch arrived in Washington on Oct. 23 to a warm reception by members of the Greek American community and church members, his first visit since 2009. His plane landed at Andrews Air Force Base.

Bartholomew has scheduled meetings with President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.