On August 13, 1961, 21-year-old Dimitrios Archondonis received the first degree of priesthood in the Metropolitan Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, in Imvros. He was ordained a deacon by the then Metropolitan of Imvros and Tenedos, Meliton Hatzis, orthodoxtimes informs.

In fact, he received the name Bartholomew during that ordination, in honour of the Imbrian hieromonk Bartholomew of Koutloumousiou (1772-1851).

His ordination to the priesthood took place in 1969, followed by the tonsuring to Archimandrite, until then in 1973 he was promoted to Metropolitan of Philadelphia.

After the falling asleep in the Lord of the Elder Metropolitan Meliton of Chalcedon, he was elected in his succession in 1990, while in October of the following year he was elected the Patriarch of Constantinople.

As today he completes 61 years of priesthood and, in a few months, 31 years of Patriarchy.