Patriarch Bartholomew hospitalized in US

Click to read the article in Turkish

Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew was hospitalized yesterday (October 24) in the US capital Washington DC.

Bartholomew arrived in the country on Saturday on a 12-day visit that includes a meeting with President Joe Biden.

The patriarch was due to attend a church service in Washington but felt unwell after the long flight and his busy schedule since reaching the US capital, Greece-based AMNA news agency reported yesterday.

Bartholomew, 81, was taken to the George Washington University Hospital, where he was advised rest and is being kept under observation, the press office of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America said on Twitter.​​​​​​​

The patriarch is expected to be discharged from hospital today.

The meeting between Bartholomew and Biden will reportedly address several issues, including the status of the churches in Turkey and the restructuring of the churches in the US.

The patriarch will also meet the leaders of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and other Orthodox leaders.

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America previously said that they would reiterate their call for the reopening of the religious schools that Turkey closed 50 years ago. (PT/VK)