Bartholomew I of Constantinople: Poland is a model of decency, philanthropy, and hospitality

President Duda stressed during his Monday's meeting with the Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I that "it's a very difficult time for our brothers from Ukraine, who today are defending their homeland from Russian aggression".

"I'm deeply grateful to you Your Holiness for accepting our invitation amidst such a difficult time for our neighbours," the president said.

"We, just like Your All Holiness, as well as most of the free and honest world, know from day one of the Russian attack on Ukraine who the victim is, and who the attacker is. We know who is defencing their homeland, and who is killing innocent people by bombing civilian homes, bombing civilian neighbourhoods," the president said.

Andrzej Duda stressed that wives and children of defenders of Ukraine have found shelter in Poland. "They have found shelter in our country fleeing war, fleeing Russian bombs, fleeing aggression and death," he said.

He also said that Poles were honoured to have been able to host the Archbishop of Constantinople in their country. "It's a great joy and a great honour for us," Duda said.

Bartholomew I of Constantinople thanks president Duda and the First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda for inviting him to Poland.

"However, my visit here is neither any jubilant nor some festive occassion. My exclusive focus these days is to stand in solidarity and prayer with with the millions of refugees who have been forcibly displaced by the ongoing unjustified and unjustifiable aggression, as well as the horrendous and costly violence caused by Russia on the sovereign homeland of Ukraine," he said.

"I am here to meet with some of the many refugees and to encourage those who are demonstrating the ultimate Christian virtue of love for their neighbour and charity for every stranger, in whom we are called to witness and welcome Christ himself. Bartholomew added.

"What I would like to emphasise first of all Mr President is my personal gratitude, but especially my appreciation of the Orthodox faithful, and indeed the admiration of every decent human being for the generous and compassionate hospitality of your historical and magnificent nation to those who were forced to flee Ukraine," he stressed.

"The people of Poland understand very well what it means to suffer from war. But above and beyond this, the citizens of Poland respect the gifts of freedom: freedom of speech, freedom of education, freedom of economy, freedom of worship, and freedom of living," the patriarch said.

"Let me assure you that the entire world has watched as Poland, and other surrounding nations within this blessed continent, has literally opened the borders of its land and the depths of its heart to receive and comfort women and children, elderly and unaccompanied minors, and even pets. You did not just consign your refugee neighbours to tents and camps – you embraced them in your places of residence and your living rooms," he added.

"All of them are distressed about the past and fearful about the future. All of them need our reassurance and assistance, our support and encouragement. All of them are vulnerable to hunger and homelessness, but also to exploitation and trafficking. And in the middle of this unbelievable and unacceptable crisis, the state and people of Poland stand out as a model of decency, of philanthropy, and of hospitality," he praised Poland and its citizens.

"May God bless all of you and your loved ones abundantly. May all humankind learn from and imitate your extraordinary example. Only such genuine love and unconditional solidarity can conquer any and all evil and darkness in our world," Bartholomew concluded.

Bartholomew I is the 270th and current archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch, since 2 November 1991. In accordance with his title, he is regarded as the primus inter pares in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and as the spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide.