Unrest in Türkiye due to rumors about the political “rise” of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

In the last two days, a political game took place in Türkiye in which the Patriarchate of Constantinople participated. In particular, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew participated in the International Peace Conference of Ukraine, which took place in Switzerland in the previous days, naturally representing the Patriarchate (and thus he is also mentioned organizationally by the Conference, which includes him in the list of “representatives of international organizations”).

But in Türkiye, the opposition accused Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was heading his country’s delegation, of “A meeting was held with the Patriarch on the sidelines of the conference,” and that the organizers treated the Patriarch as a “head of state” or in a similar position. Finally, Mr. Bartholomew’s name was added to the signatories of the conference’s final resolution, all of whom were heads of state or high-ranking officials.

The accusations, which spread quickly, forced the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deny them and confirm that “there is no room for changing the policy regarding the patriarchate and its status within Turkey,” and that “clarifications have been requested from the organizing authorities.” Committee in Switzerland” for related rumors.

But the above shows the permanent Turkish insecurity that prevents the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which recognizes its influence and status internationally, from gaining a greater role. So there will be pressure to “release” him from Ankara’s administrative control. The Switzerland conference was also an opportunity Mr. Bartholomew was the only religious leader invited by the host country, Switzerland. While he was there A meeting with Ukrainian President V. Zelensky on June 15.

The latter explained in a letter that “I met with His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Bartholomew. Thank you for the humanitarian support in Ukraine, especially regarding the issue of the return of children and the exchange of prisoners. Thank you for your prayers for peace and your assistance to the Ukrainians who suffered as a result of Russian aggression. This is very important for us. We also appreciate the efforts of Your Holiness To promote the development and strengthening of Orthodoxy in Ukraine, as well as dialogue with religious representatives of other countries.

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