Patriarch Bartholomew discusses reopening of Halki Seminary with PACE leadership
Patriarch Bartholomew with a delegation of PACE parliamentarians. Photo: Vima Orthodoxias
Patriarch Bartholomew welcomed Petra Bayr and a delegation of members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Istanbul. The parties discussed the protection of human rights and the reopening of the theological school on the island of Halki, according to the UOJ Greece.
Greek MP Giannis Oikonomou said that participants in the meeting described the reopening of the school as an event of enormous significance for Orthodox Christians worldwide. Patriarch Bartholomew briefed the European representatives on the details of ongoing discussions with the Turkish authorities on the issue. The interlocutors also addressed environmental concerns and the rule of law.
The Turkish authorities shut down the theological school on Halki in 1971. The issue has remained a subject of international diplomatic pressure ever since, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate has spent decades calling for the restoration of theological education there.
As previously reported by the UOJ, a U.S. Assistant Secretary of State met with Patriarch Bartholomew at the Phanar.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.