CLIMATE CHANGE ‘THE GREATEST THREAT FOR EVERY FORM OF LIFE’

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew speaks on Climate Change:

For our Orthodox Church, the protection of the environment as God’s creation is the supreme responsibility of human beings, quite apart from any material or other financial benefits that it may bring. The almighty God bequeathed this “very beautiful” world (Gen. 1.26) to humanity together with the commandment to “serve and preserve.”

According to the theological understanding of the Orthodox Christian Church, the natural environment is part of Creation and is characterized by sacredness. This is why its abuse and destruction is a sacrilegious and sinful act, revealing prideful despise toward the work of God the Creator. Humanity, too, is part of this Creation. Our rational nature, as well as the capacity to choose between good and evil, bestow upon us certain privileges as well as clear responsibilities.

Indeed, the care for and protection of Creation constitutes the responsibility of everyone on an individual and collective level.

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