Despite US efforts, famed Orthodox seminary remains closed in Turkey
May 15, 2013
Halki seminary, opened by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1844 and closed by the Turkish government in 1971, remains closed despite calls by President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, and others to reopen it. The seminary educated nearly 1,000 clergy.
Although the Turkish government recently returned 400 acres to the seminary, the Patriarchate’s strategy of relying on foreign pressure rather than taking legal action is a failed one, argues Orhan Kemal Cengiz, a Turkish human rights attorney.
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Further information:
- Are Turkey’s Orthodox Christians Waiting for Godot? (Al-Monitor)
- Seized land returned to Eastern Orthodox seminary in Turkey (CWN, 1/18/13)
- Halki seminary (Wikipedia)
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