Inspiring new book by Green Patriarch: On Earth as in Heaven

In his Foreword to ‘On Earth As In Heaven’, the latest collection of writings by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh has expressed his deep admiration and gratitude for His All Holiness’ environmental leadership.

Recalling the 1986 Assisi gathering of religious leaders convened by the WWF (which ultimately led to the setting up of ARC) Prince Philip observes that "Assisi posed a challenge to the major faiths and each responded in its own way but none with greater enthusiasm than the Greek Orthodox Church".

Since his election as Patriarch of Constantinople in 1991 His All Holiness Bartholomew, often referred to as ‘The Green Patriarch’, has sought to bring together people of different faiths to work together to halt environmental degradation as well as actively supporting conservation programmes by Orthodox Christians all over the world.

"He is not following a fashion," Prince Philip writes. "His All Holiness quite evidently cares for nature because Holy Scripture tells him to do so, because the Church fathers show him this is right and because Orthodox tradition has retained and kept alive the belief that we are part of the greater purpose of God for all life on Earth. … I have nothing but deep admiration and gratitude for what His All Holiness has done."

	Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the spiritual leader of over 300 million Orthodox followers worldwide. (photo: Dimitrios Panagos)

In this new collection of essays, speeches and interviews readers can appreciate the full breadth of insight and commitment that His All Holiness has brought to bear on environmental matters, engaging not only religious communities but also scientific and environmental networks in a mutual understanding of what needs to be done to care for the natural world.

In describing the significance of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s work and writing, ARC Secretary General Martin Palmer said: "This book is the best example possible of how profoundly held religious tradition and belief can be one of the most radical forces for transforming both how we see nature and the world and how we should revise entirely our understanding of our place within it."


On Earth As In Heaven: Ecological Vision and Initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (with a Foreword by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh) is published by Fordham University Press, New York (2012)

	His All Holiness meets with US President Barack Obama

On Earth As In Heaven is available to buy from Amazon here .



To see a fascinating documentary on Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s environmental work click here .