Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who was visiting Switzerland for the Ukraine peace conference, and Istanbul Fener Greek Patriarch Bartolomeos met during the summit. A Greek government official said that during the meeting, “satisfaction was expressed with the recent positive activities regarding the reopening of the Heybeliada seminary.” The source noted that Prime Minister Mitsotakis conveyed to Bartolomeos that he plans to visit Istanbul next term regarding the Patriarchate and the issue of the Greek minority in Turkey. Expectations for the Athens Heybeliada seminary were stated in a statement by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan published in the Greek newspaper Kathimerini on May 12. The statement began with the statement “We expect a similar constructive approach from neighboring countries regarding the problems facing the Turkish minority in Greece in the field of education,” and was reinforced by the visit of Education Minister Yusuf Tekin to the seminary. Activities in 1971.
The Patriarch’s controversial signature
In addition to the bilateral meeting, the fact that the Patriarch had “state status” and was a signatory of the conference was also controversial. It is noteworthy that the Vatican, the center of Catholicism, was given the authority to sign this conference, where it attended as an observer, despite being a state. Moreover, journalist Aldan Zentürk spoke about the situation in a broadcast on his Youtube channel, noting that the Fener Greek Patriarchate is also included in the list, which includes Turkey, and asked: “How did the Patriarch participate in the Ukrainian conference in Switzerland?” State status “?” Why is the signature of the “Ecumenical Patriarch” included in the list, which includes the Republic of Turkey? How could the Patriarch have become a signatory at a conference where the Vatican was an observer? Why is Ankara silent? He said.
Meeting Hakan Fidan in Switzerland
Stating that Greek Patriarch Fener, who is in Istanbul and belongs to the Fatih District Governorate, met with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Switzerland, Aldan Zentürk said: “Is the Turkish government silent about this because it is a holiday? It is not Turkey that is gaining power, it is Greece that is gaining power. He is known as the Patriarch of Constantinople. Have we made a new agreement with the Patriarchate while we are opening Hagia Sophia for worship for a legitimate reason? Is there actual recognition?” he said.
That was on the agenda in Trabzon two years ago.
Bartholomew I, Patriarch of the Istanbul Orthodox Patriarchate and Archbishop of Istanbul, first came to the spotlight two years ago when a statement was written on the Trabzonspor jersey he was presented with during a visit to Trabzon. The Governor of Fatih Region issued a statement explaining the words “Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew” on the jersey presented to Bartholomew I. The statement stated that the “ecumenical” claims of the Fener Greek Patriarchate did not reflect the truth, but also mentioned its status under the Treaty of Lausanne.
The meaning of the word ecmenicity
Ecumenical is a term used mainly in the Christian world. It aims to establish unity between different religious groups and denominations. Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants interpret the concepts of ecumenism and ecumenism differently. For example, for Protestants it was enough to provide basic religious unity. Catholics demand to bring all churches under one roof. On the other hand, Orthodox Christians are against ecumenism, claiming that they are the only church and want all churches to affiliate with them.
The concept of “Ecumene”, meaning the World Patriarchate, first appeared in history during the reign of Yavuz Sultan Selim (Ottoman Empire). After Sultan Selim’s conquest of Egypt, the Patriarchs of Alexandria and Antakya were attached to the Patriarchate of Istanbul, whose administration was defined as the “Ecumene”, that is, the “World Patriarch”. He declared it to be “Ecumene”.
However, today there is no concept of “ecumene” or “ecumenical”. The territories under the protection of the Greek Patriarchate of the Fener are limited to Gökçada, Bozcaada and Istanbul. In a legal sense, the “ecumenical” claims of the Greek Patriarchate of the Fener are invalid.
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