On this auspicious occasion, in which before God and man we accept the responsibilities of this ecumenical watchtower, we should like to state that we assume our responsibilities under the protection of the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Turkey. Continuing the age-old tradition of the Patriarchs after the Fall, we shall remain a faithful and law-abiding citizen of our country, as are our spiritual children of the Church here, ministering to God and following the command of the Lord by giving honestly and sincerely, rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar's (Mt. 22:21). On this point, we deem it our responsible obligation to state clearly that the Ecumenical Patriarchate shall remain a purely spiritual institution, a symbol of reconciliation and an unarmed force. Exercising the components of our holy Orthodox faith, safe-guarding and conducting itself with regard to Pan-Orthodox jurisdictions, the Ecumenical Patriarchate is detached from all politics, keeping itself far from "the smokey hubris of secular authority." Besides, human power alone, as well as everything else that is human, is nothing else but vanity and delusion of power.

We express our fervent thanks to the honorable Greek Government reality represented on this auspicious occasion by its head, his Excellency Constantine Mitsotakis, followed by his chosen collaborators. From the height of this Patriarchal Throne we bless the pious Greek Orthodox people in whose behalf an official parliamentary delegation is here present.