The Orthodox Church proclaimed September 1, World Day of Prayer for Creation in 1989. Since then many other Christian churches have joined them. In 2015 Pope Francis added the support of the Roman Catholic Church to a month-long celebration that originally started among the world Orthodox Christian community in 1989 under the leadership of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is affectionately known as “the Green Patriarch.” It has become part of the month-long Season of Creation celebration.