STONY BROOK, NY —GNUSA [Photos: GANP/ Dimitrios Panagos]
Stony Brook University presented His All- Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with the Stony Brook Council University Medal -the institution’s highest honor- in a special ceremony at the Avram Theater of the Southampton Campus, on September 20. The award recognized the Patriarch’s decades-long global advocacy for the protection of God’s creation.
The event, titled “Oceans of Hope: The Green Patriarch Recognizes the Mission of Stony Brook Marine Sciences in Southampton,” was generously sponsored by Kokolakis Contracting and brought together academics, clergy, and members of the local community.
In his acceptance remarks, the Patriarch called for sustained action to safeguard the planet for future generations, emphasizing that “every drop of water is a precious gift from God.” He reflected on his native island of Imvros, which deepened his understanding of the fragility of coastal ecosystems. He highlighted the many international symposia organized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate aboard ships navigating threatened waters, as well as conferences held at the Halki Theological School and in Constantinople.
Stony Brook President Andrea Goldsmith praised Bartholomew as a leading voice who has illuminated not only the scientific but also the moral dimensions of the climate crisis. “We are so honored to celebrate him today with the university’s highest honor, the Stony Brook Council University Medal, in recognition of his tireless efforts, taking the lead among all religious leaders in his concern for the environment,” she said.
Earlier, the “Green” Patriarch embarked on a boat tour of Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot, accompanied by Stony Brook University President Dr. Andrea Goldsmith, Chairman of the Board Kevin Law, as well as Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and clergy. The tour was led by professors Ellen Pikitch and Christopher Gobler of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) who showcased the successful restoration of a once-polluted marine ecosystem. Shinnecock Bay was named a Hope Spot in 2022 by Mission Blue, an international organization that supports the protection of oceans worldwide.
The Patriarch also met with university students, who presented their research on marine life and shellfish.
