The head of the Phanar praised the US "founding fathers" for their commitment to the "Judeo-Christian tradition"

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, speaking at the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations on September 19, devoted special attention to the formation of the statehood of the United States. He praised the «founding fathers» for their adherence to the «Judeo-Christian tradition,» which became one of the foundations of American politics. The report is posted on the website of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

«Such leading figures as Adams, Madison, Jefferson and Washington were followers and participants in the Judeo-Christian tradition and its teachings. And one of the earliest teachings of that tradition is that human beings are fallen and fallible creatures — the story of Adam and Eve. Now, however one views the narrative of the Book of Genesis, we can recognize two key lessons: First, humans are endowed by their Creator with free will. And second, that free will allows us to choose between right and wrong, good and evil. How else could Adam and Eve have disobeyed God’s will? How else could Cain have killed Abel? These acts were done by human will — the free will we are endowed with by our Creator. With free will, we can perform the greatest acts of selflessness, kindness, love, and even divinity. But we can also commit the worst acts of selfishness and hatred and the most heinous atrocities imaginable, such as the so-called «Final Solution» death camps. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, we have remained imperfect beings,» the head of the Phanar said.

The patriarch added that the «founding fathers» internalized the biblical lesson he mentioned, transforming it into what is now called the «American dream.» In his view, this idea has been a «resounding success» precisely because it was based on the «Judeo-Christian tradition» and took into account man’s «fallen nature» by building a system of «costs and balances» around it.

«And here we return to the founding fathers who, as noted, were steeped in the Judeo-Christian tradition and painfully aware of our imperfect and fallen nature. This awareness led them to create a system of checks and balances — as a defense, not a guarantee, against the imperfection of our nature. The Founders knew that no matter how brilliant, courageous or inspiring political, religious or business leaders or factions may be, they are all fallen, just like the rest of us. The American experiment has been a resounding success. It taught the world that a society that recognizes the fact of our fallen nature and builds a strong system of checks and balances around it has the best chance of success, » he added.

Recall that on September 11, 2025, a curious incident occurred during the memorial services for the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City. The Chancellor of the Archdiocesan District of the Greek Archdiocese of America, Protopresbyter Elias Willis, received a «blessing» from a Jewish rabbi.