Patriarch of Constantinople Renews Hope for Reopening of Halki Seminary

Photo: Nikos Papachristou/Patriarchate of Constantinople

HALKI — On the Feast of the Holy Spirit, celebrated this past Monday, Patriarch Bartholomew expressed renewed optimism for the reopening of the Halki Theological School, closed since 1971. Speaking in the ceremonial hall of the seminary on the island of Halki, the Patriarch hoped the ongoing renovations would soon align with the long-anticipated return of students.

Housed within the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, the school was the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s main school of theology until its forced closure in 1971, when the Turkish parliament enacted a law banning private higher education institutions.

U.S. Congress and multiple U.S. presidents have publicly supported the reopening of the school in years past, however, nothing has come to fruition. Last year, Turkish Minister of Education Yusuf Tekin said that efforts to reopen the school are underway, yet the same was indicated by Prime Minister Recep Erdogan all the way back in 2012 during a meeting with President Barack Obama.

Reflecting on the day’s spiritual significance, Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized the continued work of the Holy Spirit within the Church. Drawing from the theology of Pentecost, he encouraged the faithful worldwide to remain steadfast and faithful in their service, assuring them their efforts are not in vain.

According to reporting from the Orthodox Times, His Holiness welcomed members of the Halki Alumni and Friends Association and shared emotional memories of his time as a student and later as assistant dean and professor of Canon Law at the seminary.

While acknowledging unfulfilled dreams due to the school’s closure, he pointed to hopeful signs – ongoing restoration funded by benefactor Athanasios Martinos and positive developments regarding the school’s future.

He concluded with gratitude to Bishop Kassianos of Aravissos, the abbot of the monastery, and the monastery staff, praising their dedication to preserving the seminary’s legacy, and reaffirming his vision for the seminary to once again train future Orthodox theologians and clergymen.

Previously, UOJ reported on increasing calls to ban Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America from entering Turkey.

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