Erdogan-Trump talk fuels Orthodox hopes for Halki seminary reopening in Istanbul

Halki seminary [file photo]

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has signaled helium will σύντομα conscionable with Ecumenical Patriarchate Bartholomew to sermon the imaginable reopening of the Halki Orthodox seminary adjacent Istanbul that has been unopen for much than 50 years.

Founded successful 1844, Halki plays a cardinal relation successful the Eastern Orthodox Church arsenic the patriarchate’s main theological school. It trained generations of Orthodox clergy, including Bartholomew.

US President Donald Trump brought up the contented successful talks with Erdogan astatine the White House connected Thursday, saying the Greek Orthodox Church had raised the contented when Bartholomew, who is based successful Istanbul, visited the US president a week earlier.

Trump was referring to the seminary, connected Heybeliada land adjacent Istanbul, which was closed by the Turkish state successful 1971. Muslim and secular Turkey has agelong faced unit from Greece, the United States and European Union to reopen it.

“We are acceptable to bash whatever is incumbent upon us regarding the Heybeliada school,” Erdogan told Trump astatine their meeting. “I will person the accidental to sermon this substance with [Patriarch] Bartholomew upon my return.”

Erdogan’s bureau said it was not yet wide when that gathering mightiness take place.

Reopening would ‘affirm respect for spiritual rights’

Responding to the exchange, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros of America expressed his thanks to some Trump and Erdogan for their comments connected the seminary.

“Its reopening will some affirm respect for spiritual rights and alteration the Ecumenical Patriarchate erstwhile again to run its starring theological institution,” Elpidophorus said successful a statement.

Erdogan’s comments fueled increasing hopes successful the religion that the seminary would unfastened and followed a gathering betwixt Trump and Bartholomew connected September 15.

Bartholomew expressed optimism pursuing his speech with Trump, saying that extended renovations could marque it imaginable for the seminary to welcome students again arsenic aboriginal arsenic adjacent year.

Halki seminary was closed successful 1971 pursuing a Constitutional Court ruling that backstage higher acquisition institutions indispensable beryllium affiliated with state universities, a request rejected by the patriarchate.

Last year Turkey’s Education Minister Yusuf Tekin inspected the seminary and made proposals regarding its restoration. [Reuters]