Source: Kathimerini The Holy Theological School on the island of Halki (Heybeliada), one of the Princes’ islands in the Sea of Marmara, has remained closed for almost 50 years, yet not a year has passed without it attracting hundreds of visitors and international attention. However, it may soon be eclipsed by a more grandiose religious establishment. While negotiations about the reopening of the seminary remain ongoing, Turkish authorities have announced a plan to erect a colossal new Islamic educational center in the middle of the island. According to an official announcement by Haydar Bekiroglu, president of the Turkish Directorate of…
Halki seminary was a center of Orthodox scholarship for more than a century until Turkish authorities closed it down in 1971.