Over the past two decades, the world has witnessed alarming environmental degradation-climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and the pollution of natural resources-together with a failure to implement environmental policies and an ever-widening gap between rich and poor. As this new volume of his writings reveals, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has continually proclaimed the primacy of spiritual values in determining environmental ethics and action. For him, the predicament we face is not primarily ecological but in fact spiritual: The ultimate aim is to see all things in God, and God in all things.
On Earth as in Heaven demonstrates just why His All Holiness has been dubbed the "Green Patriarch" by former Vice President Al Gore (recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for his environmental activism) and the media.
This third and final volume of the spiritual leader's selected writings showcases his statements on environmental degradation, global warming, and climate change. It contains numerous speeches and interviews in various circumstances, including ecological symposia, academic seminars, and regional and international events, over the first twenty years of his ministry. This volume also encompasses a selection of pastoral letters and exhortations-ecclesiastical, ecumenical, and academic-by His All Holiness for occasions such as Easter and Christmas, honorary doctorates, and academic awards.
On Earth as in Heaven is a rich collection, essential for religious scholars, those looking for a deeper understanding of Orthodox Christianity, and anyone concerned with the environmental and social issues we face today.

The third volume of the Orthodox Christianity and Contemporary Thought series features the ecological writings and statements of the "Green Patriarch"

About the Author
His all Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians, is the 270th successor of St. Andrew the Apostle, who founded the 2,000-year-old Church of Constantinople. For his efforts to raise environmental awareness, he was named by Time magazine as one of the world's most influential people.

Reviews
"The ecological conversation in the United States has become sorely degraded. The fundamental ethical issues-obligations of stewardship, responsibility, and justice-are almost lost in the increasingly strident claims that such concerns are simply stalking horses in a political street brawl. It is thus both urgent and timely that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's voice is being projected anew through this book. For decades now the Patriarch has led the way toward a more rigorous, grounded examination of our relationship to the Earth and the creation. His message is quite simple. 'The world is not ours to use for our own convenience. It is God's gift of love to us, and we must return His love by protecting it and all that is in it.' How simple. Yet how challenging. You can almost watch how most of our leaders, confronted with that message and asked how they were responding to it, would squirm in discomfort. As the Patriarch has said, time is short. We need to listen to the message of this book." -- -Carl Pope Chairman, The Sierra Club "Having had the privilege of being with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in the Arctic and New Orleans, even a low church evangelical Baptist like myself has come to appreciate what an incredible contribution he has made in leading the Christian community-indeed, the world community-in understanding that caring for God's creation and addressing climate change is a moral calling of the highest order that we all share. I'm so pleased that through this collection of his writings, many more can benefit from his wisdom as I have. Don't pass up this opportunity to delve more deeply into the true meaning of creation-care." -- -The Rev. Jim Ball, Ph.D. author, Global Warming and the Risen LORD: Christian Discipleship and Climate Change; Executive Vice-President "The Ecumenical Patriarch reminds us of a simple and profound moral truth: our imperative to live in harmony with our natural surroundings. While His All Holiness's leadership is rooted in his own spiritual calling, his message resonates with all who work in and study the world of public affairs, politics, and diplomacy." -- -Strobe Talbott President, The Brookings Institution



Book Information
ISBN 9780823238859
Author Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
Format Hardback
Page Count 388
Imprint Fordham University Press
Publisher Fordham University Press