Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke to the Tmpleton Prize 2025 award in New York
The prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke to New York at the Templeton Prize awards ceremony at Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Underlining the global radiation and the pioneering contribution of the Patriarch to environmental consciousness.
Mr Mitsotakis described the award as “great joy and honor” and pointed out that the Patriarch’s choice was placed on the personalities line such as Mother Teresa, who was the first honored with the award in 1973. “It is not difficult to understand the respect of the Ecumenical Patriarch.”
He emphasized that the Patriarch combines “deep faith” with a “substantial appreciation of science, research and great eternal questions”, highlighting the constant dialogue of religion, philosophy and science. He also referred to his long personal acquaintance with Bartholomew, saying that “Thank you, Panagiotis, who always offers excellent moral purity and guidance in times when things in the world seem to get out of control.”
The prime minister particularly praised the Patriarch’s initiatives on ecology, noting that he was one of the first religious leaders to incorporate the environmental dimension into their speech. “You have defined ecology not only as a practical, necessary solution, but also as a spiritual responsibility. You have rightly won the title ‘Green Patriarch’ ”he said.
He said that his intervention is more critical than ever at a time when climate crisis is becoming tangible reality, and the challenge of science remains. “Your wise words are more necessary than ever.” Mr Mitsotakis noted that Bartholomew’s initiatives have changed consciences, as he talked about the environment “with a power, a persuasion that has turned many to your purpose,” he said, according to EIA.
The whole speech of the Prime Minister:
“Panagiotis, Dear Members of Tmpleton Charity Organizations, Dear Vice -Presidents, Honorable Guests,
It is really a great pleasure and honor for me to be tonight between you. The Vice President referred extensively to the work of the Panagiotis Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, but also to his character, which is behind this work.
Today, however, we will talk about something much more specific: the Patriarch’s extremely important initiatives to protect the environment. It really makes me happy that the John Templeton Foundation, the Templeton World Charity Foundation and the Templeton Religion Trust have currently chosen to recognize its work, awarding the Templeton Award for 2025.
And if one considers that the first recipient of the Templeton Award, in 1973, was Mother Teresa, then it is not difficult to understand the respect that the Ecumenical Patriarch and his work enjoys. Templeton institutions have, of course, a very long history in the fair tribute to spiritual work, promoting religious understanding and spiritual humility, as well as recognizing the importance of sincere debate on science, philosophy, culture and theology.
The Ecumenical Patriarch represents a great legacy left by the Greek Orthodox faith. On the one hand, a deep faith and, on the other, a deep understanding of the ancient Greek and Byzantine world, including a meaningful and very profound appreciation of science, research and the great eternal questions that surround human existence: what do we believe? What is the role of religion, philosophy, science? Does faith in religion prevent or help faith in science?
I have the honor of knowing Panagiotis since 1992, that is, I met him five years earlier than you, dear Mr. Vice -President, when I was still very young. All these years I have been blessed to seek his advice and instructions, especially since I became prime minister.
Thank you, Panagiotis, for always offering excellent moral purity and guidance to times when things in the world seem to escape control. You have really added your own personal mark to the modern version of the heritage you represent.
You were one of the first, if not the first intellectual leader internationally, to emphasize the need for a real environmental dimension in our way of thinking. You distinguished the signs very early, before writing your book, which so much influenced me to take climate change seriously.
Dear Mr. Vice -President, you have pointed out the alarming degradation of the environment, which is caused not only by climate change but also by the consumerism that characterizes modern society.
You have defined ecology not only as a practical, necessary solution, but also as a spiritual responsibility. You have rightly won the title “Green Patriarch”. You have loudly proclaimed your position on the superiority of spiritual values in shaping environmental ethics. You have been a pioneer of environmental awareness in practice.
You have promoted this awareness tirelessly, through innumerable symposiums, events, talking about the challenges we face, in a language different from what we usually use, but with a power, a persuasion that I have converted many to your purpose.
I believe that at a time when climate reality is really hurting us -it is enough to look at what is happening in our country, in Greece, fires, floods, constant challenges in the management of the changing environment -at a time when there are still people who are questioning science behind climate change.
It is a great honor to be with you today, to foresee you and to congratulate you on this prize, which you deserve. I wish you always have this power, the inner power, so that you can talk about these issues in the clear way you always have.
Again, my warm congratulations on this award, Panagiotis. “