Source: Yankee Athonite by Michael Warren Davis I see that Vox published an article which, in part, scolds me for saying that Archbishop Elpidophoros—leader of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America—is a CIA asset: It’s why Michael Warren Davis, another Orthodox convert at the American Conservative, could directly call the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America a CIA asset without any evidence. Laypeople attacking their hierarchs is about the least “trad” thing one can do. It reveals just how little these conversions have to do with anything organic to these traditions, but are instead an act of rebellion against the American mainstream, with a…
Browsing: Turkey
Source: Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate For over a century, the Theological School of Halki was one of the foremost Orthodox seminaries anywhere in the world, training hierarchs and clergy for the Church around the globe. Turkish authorities, however, forced it to close it in 1971, and since then, numerous efforts to reopen it have come to naught. In recent months, there have been new discussions regarding its eventual reopening. The Theological School of Halki has a most illustrious history: from it have graduated two saints, Saint Chrysostomos of Smyrna and Saint Raphael of Brooklyn, as well as six Ecumenical Patriarchs, including…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America In Istanbul, Türkiye, the Holy Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne continued today, September 2, 2024. The hierarchs attended four sessions promoting information and discussion of global, ecclesial affairs in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America briefly addressed the Hierarchy during today’s gathering. Their Eminences Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, and Metropolitan Constantine of Denver are also in attendance at the Holy Synaxis, as are several U.S. bishops. Find information about last night’s…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Along an aptly rain-soaked Golden Horn, this weekend the Ecumenical Patriarchate is presenting Halki Summit VI, entitled “Water: Spirit and Science,” in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Halki Summit, which celebrated its inaugural meeting in 2012, is a gathering organized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate for activists, scientists, journalists, business leaders, theologians, and academics to engage in environmentalist discussion and build interdisciplinary connections. This year’s Summit, co-sponsored by Hellenic Open University, addresses the scientific and spiritual dimensions of water as a vital resource of our planet and a fundamental symbol of Christian theological and sacramental practice. Attendees…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Karakostas The glorious churches of Aghia Sophia and the Holy Savior at the monastery of Chora in Constantinople have been converted into mosques by the current Turkish government. While the future of these edifices of Greek Orthodoxy may seem bleak, they cannot be abandoned to their fate. Constantinople will always be the greatest of all Greek cities and the spiritual heart of Orthodoxy. As I told an official of UNESCO in Paris in 2015, Aghia Sophia is the product of the Gospel and Orthodox theology. I have been in touch with UNESCO officials since…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America July 8, 2024 – The leader of the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus Ersin Tatar criticized His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America’s recent statements concerning the Turkish occupation of Cyprus in an interview with nationally-broadcast Turkish TV channel Ulusal Kanal. Tatar called His Eminence’s statements “unfortunate”, “extremely wrong,” and accused him of “distorting the issue” regarding Cyprus. Tatar’s condemnation follows an array of accusations from nationalistic elements in the Republic of Turkey regarding His Eminence’s attention to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus at the 2024 Clergy-Laity Congress. In His Eminence’s remarks at the “Cyprus: Land…
Source: The National Herald Boston – The presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the official dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in honor of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, following their official meeting in Ankara on Monday, May 13, remains an enigma. The Patriarch sat at the table with the foreign ministers and directors and officials of the intelligence services of both countries, with whom he had cordial conversations. The National Herald has learned that his attendance at the official dinner was not pre-arranged but was instead a last-minute invitation from the Turkish Presidency on Monday morning. According…
Source: The National Herald By Theodore Kalmoukos BOSTON – A matter has arisen with the Turkish authorities regarding the renewal of residence and work permits for clerics and other employees at the Ecumenical Patriarchate and parishes in Constantinople and elsewhere. Specifically, the Patriarch’s Archdeacon, Fr. Alexandros Koutsis, originally from Zakynthos, was forced to leave and has already returned to Greece, along with a cleric from Antalya and another from Smyrna. It is noted that residence and work permits in Turkey are renewed biennially. Information obtained by The National Herald indicates that this issue is part of Turkey’s general approach towards…
Source: Greek Reporter A video from 2022 that came to light recently shows fragments falling on visitors from the dome of Hagia Sophia, the former epicenter of Christian worship at Constantinople, today’s Istanbul. The footage released by the Turkish newspaper, BirGün, raises serious questions over the safety of the former Orthodox Christian cathedral, now a mosque. BirGün notably quoted officials as saying that “pieces are falling from the roof, due to the humidity created by the crowd, but no precautions are being taken”. The president of the Turkish Art History Association, Serif Yasar, argued for restoration of the monument as soon as…
Source: Ekathimerini.com Manolis Kostidis The Turkish government has decided to start long-term maintenance and repairs of the former Orthodox Christian cathedral of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which was converted into a mosque, after scientists discovered significant damage both inside and outside the 6th century Byzantine monument. Some experts are discussing a lengthy project that might take decades to complete. However, there is concern among some circles in Turkey who suspect that there may be political expediency behind this decision, so that Hagia Sophia is closed for a long period of time and does not function as a mosque. Political analysts…
Source: Ecumenical Patriarchate Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos received on Tuesday, August 29, in Fanari, the participants of the scientific meeting “Partnerships in Action: towards One Earth, One Family, One Future”. His Holiness, welcoming them to the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, referred to the historical development of the institution, its multidimensional ministry, as well as the canonically defined and sanctified through centuries of ecclesiastical tradition and practical responsibilities of the Patriarchal Church of Orthodoxy. He made special reference to the convocation of the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church, in Crete, in 2016, which, as he noted, renewed the Orthodox…
Source: The National Herald CONSTANTINOPLE – The Ecumenical Patriarchate on Friday thanked the Prefect of Trebzon for signing the written permit for the Patriarchal liturgy at the historic Monastery of Panaghia Soumela on August 15, feast day for the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. In its statement on Friday, the Ecumenical Patriarchate said it received the permit in writing on the day, thanking both the signatory and Turkish government authorities. It is noted that initially Turkish authorities had refused permission, but approval was first issued late last month. The Panaghia Soumela Monastery is located high in the Pontic Mountains and…