Halki theological school

[Antonios]

The pressure is beginning to mount... Let us pray this school opens up in the near future.

http://newsfromrussia.com/world/2005/10/20/65738.html

[Byron Jack Gaist]

Dear Antonios,

I visited Constantinople and the Halki Theological School last summer. The school feels like a ghost institution, with empty classrooms and darkened corridors. A priest addressed the group I was in, telling us a little about the history of the school and the legal catch-22 in which the Turkish government placed the institution in 1971. Its a real shame that this school, which is located on a beautiful small island in the "Prinkiponisa", is not host to Orthodox students and teachers from around the world.

The Greek community in Constantinople seemed run-down and demoralised. I had the sense that the Turkish government was, while not actively persecuting, simply letting the community down in so many ways that its identity and existence as a distinct ethnic group will eventually no longer be viable. I noticed the Constantinopolitan Greeks who spoke to us had Turkish accents and sometimes a limited vocabulary in Greek, a sure sign of the state of Greek education in the country that aspires to be a member of the EC. I also notice in the article you quoted that the Turkish government spokesman was asking for "time" to allow the Halki school to be opened. The EC may or may not be aware of this, but "time" here in Cyprus is known to be a Turkish strategy for letting circumstances turn to their favour again, and can therefore continue indefinitely.

Sorry I can't say something more cheerful about this.

In Christ
Byron

[Antonios]

Thank you Byron for you post. I have not had the opportunity to visit the school, but your descriptions echo others I have read about, also with regards to the demoralization and dwindling Orthodox community in Constantinople.

My prayer is that European civil authorities and other heads-of-state will make the re-opening of this school and the removal of all the legal barriers and hurdles to Orthodox freedom part of its stringent requirements of entry into the EU. Otherwise, I can't see how Turkey can call itself a secular and free country and thus have any chance at joing the EU.

If such freedom is granted and the school is re-opened, that would very likely bring a Christian renewal into New Rome. What a beautiful triumph of Orthodoxy it would be! I pray this happens in our lifetime.

Glory be to God, and His will be done.

[Zavulon]

Just for the record.......

The 9th Dialogue between the Orthodox Church EPP-ED Group asks for respect of religious freedom

Today, more than 200 participants of the 9th Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats, agreed that peace, social justice and long-term stability would result from the commitment of people to local, regional and national cooperation, and mutual understanding.

The representatives of Christianity, Islam and Judaism throughout the world met in Istanbul with Members of the EPP-ED Group in European Parliament on 20-21 October 2005 to lay the foundations for European solidarity and cooperation in order to enhance the continuing enlargement of the European Union.

The meeting was chaired by Alojz Peterle MEP, EPP-ED Group Dialogue Co-ordinator, and was opened by the host, His All Holiness The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.

The participants concluded that reopening the Halki Theological School and the restitution of religious properties to the Christian communities on the islands of Imvros and Bozcaada (Tenedos), and the reopening of the Catholic Church at Bebekli is the test of truth and authentic religious freedom in Turkey. The determined efforts of the Turkish Government and Parliament to legislate for the Copenhagen criteria were warmly congratulated and the participants hoped that the Turkish people and the Imamate will accept the reforms resulting from the new legislation.

(Message edited by zavulon on 21 October, 2005)

[Edmond]

I think that it is totaly unfair that such a great school was closed. i pray to God to enlighten the Turks and bring back the Theological Seminary of Halki.

[Antonios]

This is an unbelievable, but true, story (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/12/13/earlyshow/main1120132.shtml). Glory be to God for all things!!!

[Byron Jack Gaist]

Dear Antonios,

Thank you for the amazing story and for the wonderful, sobering prayer by St Basil (so strangely contemporary, a wonderful saint!) you posted on another thread.

In Christ
Byron

[Antonios]

Your welcome, Byron. I heard it read on an episode of "Our Life in Christ" radio program (http://www.ourlifeinchrist.com/archives.htm) and then tracked it down on the internet.

PS: Sorry everyone. I made a mistake on the title of this thread. It was supposed to read "Modern day miracle".