Orthodox patriarch hospitalized at start of 12-day US visit

Source: Associated Press

Orthodox patriarch hospitalized at start of 12-day US visit

October 24, 2021

WASHINGTON (AP) — The spiritual leader of the world’s 200 million Eastern Orthodox Christians was hospitalized Sunday in Washington on the first full day of a planned 12-day U.S. visit and will stay overnight, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America said.

The archdiocese said Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was preparing to leave for a service at the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in the nation’s capital when he felt unwell “due to the long flight and full schedule of events upon arrival.”

“His doctor advised him to rest and out an abundance of caution” go to George Washington University Hospital “for observation,” according to the archdiocese, Later Sunday, it said the patriarch “is feeling well” and was expected to be released Monday.

Bartholomew, 81, has a broad agenda spanning religious, political and environmental issues. His schedule includes a meeting Monday with President Joe Biden and various ceremonial and interfaith gatherings.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-religion-turkey-e4cb14cd49eeaea5f963a76c0c908eac


FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021 file photo, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, leads a Mass at the St. Sofia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine. On Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, the patriarch was hospitalized for observation after he felt unwell while preparing for a church service on the first full day of a planned 12-day U.S. visit, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America said. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)