Phanar bishop: Pat Bartholomew – the Shepherd of Universe and world diaspora
The new bishop of the Phanar believes that Patriarch Bartholomew acts as a father for the diaspora around the world.
On 25 July 2023, Bishop Theophanes (Koya) of Philomilia of the Patriarchate of Constantinople said that Patriarch Bartholomew is the "Shepherd of the Universe", reports orthodoxianewsagency.gr.
Bishop Theophanes of Philomilia, after his ordination on 25 July at the Phanar, addressed a word of thanks to Patriarch Bartholomew.
Addressing the head of the Phanar, the new bishop said that "Since His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to whom I am grateful for the trust and blessings, ascended the Ecumenical Throne, he always kept in mind and his heart his role as Shepherd of the Universe, the father of those who are scattered throughout the world."
Earlier, Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria said that Bartholomew is the head of the Orthodox.