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Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I leads the service during the Epiphany Day ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey, 06 January 2020. Greek Orthodox swimmers take part in an annual race to retrieve a wooden crucifix thrown into the Bosphorus waters at the Golden Horn. EPA-EFE/ERDEM SAHIN
On July 24, the Hagia Sophia will be open for prayer following the decree of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan turning this world heritage site and a symbolic christian site into a msoque. For a long time, the Erdogan government has been working to convert Turkey into a leading state in the Islamic world and soldify its influence in the territory of the collapsed Ottoman Empire. Therefore, the turning of Hagia Sophia into a mosque was a logical step from the Turkish leadership. In the event of the success of Turkish foreign policy adventures, the mosque will become a symbol of Erdogan’s Turkey.
Despite the international criticism, the move of the Erdogan government will not face any real resistance or punishing from other influential palyers. Regardless positions of the sides, this decision in fact did not really impact or threaten interests of any other regional or global power. In this case, the main affected side is the Ecumenical Patriarchy of Constantinople. Hagia Sophia was the patriarchal cathedral until 1453. Currently, the patriarchal cathedral is St. George’s Cathedral, but until recently the patriarchy was able to pretend that it has a kind of influence on the situatino with Hagia Sophia as an important symbol of the Christian World. These claims were broken by the reality.
Furthermore, more and more voices adress concerns that political gaimes of Bartholomew I of Constantinople undermined the unity of the Orthodox community and led not only to destructive developments in eastern Europe, but also set conditions in which local Orthodox Churches were split and had no voice in the Hagia Sophia question. In previous years, Bartholomew I became a useful servant of the United States and provider of its policy in countries with strong Orthodox communities. Actions of the Ecumenical Patriarchy of Constantinople allowed the global elites to undermine the values of conservative societies of eastern Europe and set up pseudo-church organizations supporting the neo-liberal, globalist world order. These actions were especially clear in such countries as Montenegro and Ukraine and created a deep rift between the patriarchy and local churches that opposed such actions, including the Russian Orthodox Church.
In turn, Bartholomew I apparently believed that the United States will contribute efforts to keep him in power and allow the Ecumenical Patriarchy of Constantinople to expand its influence creating a kind of ‘Orthodox Papism’. This did not happen. On top of this, the position of the United States in the Middle East was recently weakened by both years of the back-and-forth diplomacy of previous administrations and the unwillingness of the current administration led by President Donald Trump to participate in conflicts and invest in regions where he sees no clear revenue for his country. Thus, the Ecumenical Patriarchy of Constantinople found itself without support from its main backer. As to the US Democratic Party and its presidential candidate Joe Biden, their public commitment to neo-liberal values is strong as it has never been. So, if Bartholomew I wants to rely on this very faction in the US elites, he will need to demonstrate his own commitment to this anti-coonservative, pro-minotiries, pro-LGBTQ stance. Thus, he will undermine the position of Constantinople among the more traditionalist part of the Orthodox World and further. This will likely lead to the situation when conservative Orthodox societies will have no other option but strengthen their ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, which is in the open conflict with Constantinople.
Bartholomew I made bet and lost, but his actions made a real damage to the Orthodox World. It may take years before negative consequences of his actionswill be fully removed.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
- Turning Of Hagia Sophia Into Mosque Is Sign Of Weakness Of Orthodox World: Metropolitan Seraphim
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- Deepening Rift: Russian Orthodox Church Rejects ‘Black Jesus’ Paintings Promoted By Neo-Liberal Propaganda
- New Study: Orthodox Church of Ukraine Divided Orthodoxy
Saiding with Moscow would have totally turntable
By the author’s logic, siding with Erdogan would have turned the tables. lol Siding with Russia wouldnt change Erdogan’s calculations. It might even give him more motivation to continue with his plans. Typical Russian thought is that everything must have sides. How about, it is the right side that every orthodox must oppose Erdogan’s move?
Correct ,yet Bartholomew the Cursed has burned his bridges with Russia and Putin. Only a fool grants autocephaly to the Ukraine when Russia is already friends with Turkey. He would have done better to guilt Putin into protecting him and orthodoxy BECAUSE OF Russia’s friendship with Turkey.
I do believe it is because he was caught stealing and thus was blackmailed into selling out his nation for the Zio Yankees. Who grants autocephaly to a ziostate like the Ukraine anyway?
Now what expanding the so called ottoman empire 2.0?
So called ottoman empire 2.0 ….can expand to the parallel universe and only by implosion. That’s the only place where they can “expand”.
Or they can go back where they came from long time ago.
Distraction.
Exactly.
Come on now, is this not total hypocrisy ? When churches are being fire bombed, blown up, desecrated on a daily basis in Israel, not a squeak from so called Christians. Anyway, are we really Christians? We abandoned Christianity a long time ago for the new religion of Consumerism and LGBTQxyz.
Do not generalize please
You are actually talking about the West only. Eastern Europe would NEVER permit those things to happen
Did you or your government complain when the Church of Miracles was bombed in Israel? No, it is not a generalization to show the hypocrisy of people who still call themselves Christians. All this aside, I will still say that Jesus Christ was the greatest man who ever lived. He offered Jews redemption but instead they chose murder and that choice has not changed one iota.
You do not read my comment or what?.
“Eastern Europe would NEVER permit those things to happen” There are some cases of arson, desecration, terrorism, even bombings in Churches in Western Europe also. Things like that can happen only in Israel and in Western Europe but not in Eastern Europe.
Again Israel is not EUROPEAN country so I don’t understand why are you saying that. If those are Catholic churches that are attacked in Israel it is up to the Vatican to react above all. Media are on Jew side always so they try to hide.
Your question is absurd. There are crimes against the Christians and churches all the time all around the world (including even Western Europe) In general media are always trying to hide those events or they try to present them with the lowest key of attention possible.
I don’t understand why do you expect that I or “my government” or even anybody from Europe reacts on something like that when happens in Israel or elsewhere ?! I know that Jews in majority have bad opinion about Christians and I hate Israel but that would be it. It is not my role to react and on top I am an Orthodox so what happens to Catholics is Pope’s, a Vatican’s problem, not mine.
I almost never hear Vatican reacting on such cases, so why would you expect from ordinary people like me to react?
Again as an Orthodox I see it as Vatican’s problems that doesn’t concern me.
Well then it is a shame as i didn’t know about it. Why hasn’t it been broadcast more into the Christian world? I will tell you. Because the powerful are the Anglo-Saxon Nations who are Protestants and now ruled by Christian Zionists who are allied to Israel.
How can we expect anyone to care about Hagia Sofia when Westerners no longer feel united or galvanised by Christianity? Yet every Sunni and Shia is united and gloriously happy about Hagia Sofia being turned into a mosque!
Italy -the key Catholic country- has said not a word as it is Turkey’s friend and itself transports arms to the GNA.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/12/151224-israel-jewish-terrorism-arson-christian-church-multiplication/
Hagia Sofia was not destroyed in 500 years of Muslim rule. Israel came into existence in 1948. Since that time there has been countless destruction of Christian Churches. During the Russian revolution, who do you think murdered Bishops and blew Churches? During the Spanish Civil War, who do you think blew up churches and raped nuns? Who do you think supported the terrorists in Syria to kill Bishops and blow up churches?
I go to Turkey on a regular basis and I can say that, as a Christian, I have always been greeted with kindness from the Turkish people. So, who is the enemy of Christianity when there are still churches in Turkey?
Hagia Sofia was defaced and defiled in the first three days of conquest by the Turks n 1453 . Mehmet even rode his horse into it through the blood of the victims -that ran in rivers- of those who were slaughtered inside ,seeking shelter from the Turks. They then defaced all the murals and icons and ran it as a mosque.
I don’t know where you get your history from but you either don’t know much or are a propagandist.
Syrian bishops? I know who supported them and they have admitted as much. Turkey ,Israel and NatoUS supported jihadist Moslem dogs murdering bishops and destroying churches. Even Kurds destroyed churches!
You visit Turkey? Are you a native Christian of Turkey? Greek ,Armenian or Assyrian? Do your Turk friends know you are one of these? Are these Turk friends of yours educated and /or Secular? Are you a citizen of a powerful country such as the USA ,Germany ,or the UK? All these factors play a role on how you are treated in Turkey.
Churches in Turkey? Precious few and Turkey has changed at least three famous churches into mosques in the last five years BEFORE Agia Sofia even was mentioned. Christians find it almost impossible to pray in safety even if they find a church anywhere away from the big cities in Turkey.
You have been duped ,do not know enough about the whole truth or are a propagandist.
Haha you are a funny chap. It was Ataturk who removed the plaster covering the murals. They were not destroyed. I tell you about the destruction of Christian Churches today and you harp on about events 500 years ago. As for me, I am from the UK, Protestant Christian and proud of Christianity’s achivements. Anyway, as you are determined to have the last word, please go ahead.
I’m aware of Attaturk removing some of the plaster and now they are being covered again by the Turks? So what is your point? Are they not defacing one of the two most famous cathedrals in Christendom? If your Turks are so reasonable why not leave it a museum? Are you not aware of the geopolitics and Turks foisting themselves on all over the last five years and in Greece over the last 100 ? Are you not aware of Turkey being almost at war with France ,Greece Cyprus and Egypt ?
At least ten priests have been murdered and some also decapitated in the last twenty years in Turkey. Almost all are unsolved with no urgency in the matter. Please ,go ahead and look it up on the web. I am also proud of Christianity which is why I try and shine light on the matter. So please ,have the last word . I will not respond . I promise.
Did i ever say the Jews do not deface or wreck churches ? Did I ever say Jews do not beat priests and Christians? I do not think so.
I’m confident that Jesus doesn’t care. He’s busy calling the sinner to repentance, while man argues over a building that serves no purpose to the Gospel.
” man argues over a building that serves no purpose to the Gospel”
Not exactly.. It is one of the biggest Christian cathedrals ever built and by far the oldest one on the planet. Built in 6th century by Roman emaparor Justinian. It is absolute symbol of Christian Orthodox religion (even today) and of Byzantine civilization in general. Very important for every Orthodox Christian. Many Orthodox wait for the the day when Istanbul will become again Constantinople and cathedral become place of service.
His Kingdom is not of this world. Do you not understand that. Orthodox Christianity is not Christianity at all. You are greatly deceived.
Orthodoxy is original Church that have existed before splintering of Christianity. Go away you have nothing to teach me that I don’t know already.
How do you enter the Kingdom of God?
Stop positioning your self as interpreter of the Bible
Every Christian red the Bible.
You are not somebody who was chosen by the God to explain the Bible. You are just another ordinary person.
And that is the problem with you Westerners because you keep explaining things you don’t understand yourselves in good old Protestant tradition.
If you can’t answer the question than it is you who doesn’t know.
I couldn’t care less about your question and even more about your possible answer.
That is why you don’t understand.
You protestant like people are very persistent and very boring. You have no clue about the orthodoxy that lasts for 2000 years and you dismiss millions of Orthodox as ignorant. That is pure arrogance. You are hardly worthy that I address single word to you let alone to listen your theories.
I’m not Protestant, I was brought up atheist. Unless a man be born again he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Unless he be born again of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter Heaven. It is not a theory, it is the teachings of Christ. The Orthodox Church does not teach correct doctrine. I do not dismiss them, they dismiss themselves by believing man instead of truly searching for God.
You are boring me to death! Believe whatever you want just keep for yourself. I am not interested in what you have to say on that subject..Comprende?
He cares,ignorus, the only sins unforgiven are of them unrepented (period) infact first inline,hell!
You’re not making sense.
It looks he is only a man after all.. Just like Francis..
He is accused by Turkey of helping the US undermine Erdogan . He has been accused of being blackmailed by the US for him being caught embezzing many tens of millions of dollars.
He was supposedly a Conservative who was anti communist and thus against the Russians.
In all he was either a cornered rat who sold out his nation or another Greek fool who was stupid enough to trust in Yankers without having an exit plan or guarantee for his nation.
I curse him and I am a Hellenophile!
Russia is right on Politics, but these “paganisms” Russia supports are questionable.
Some refuse naming the Jew so to compensate it they jump onto weird stuff.
Russia don’t support neo-liberals fake orthodoxy paganic satanic incests,simple as that (period)
Greek Orthodox Patriarchy should take over, oldest and most original
Patriarch Bartholomew made the same mistake that the Czar made depend on your enemies. Instead of supporting unity among Orthodox, he accommodated the Neocon Anglo/Zionist, determined to weaken Russia by atomizing the Russian Orthodox Church with autocephaly in Ukraine. Facilitating the weakening of the Orthodox Church does not get you into Heaven.
He is “Patriarch”of handful of people really. And most of the time he speaks and represents himself only.Because of his greed for power, he will be remembered as useful idiot of the USA and traitor to the Orthodoxy.
The Byzantium Church was founded on the ashes of the Greek Classical Library of Alexandria: the depository of knowledge of the classical Greek world, burned to the ground by fanatic and illiterate zealots. Patriarch Bartholomew follows this tradition.
He is just traitor pure and simple. Accusing him to follow ” fanatical and illiterate zealot tradition”…..I don’t know how you arrive to that conclusion.
It was not learned Christians men who burned the Great Classical Library of Alexandria founded by Alexander the Great. They rejected Greek science, mathematics, and philosophy. Instead they embraced peasant superstition. Read you history my friend.
You are putting your words into my mouth. i was not talking about that at all. I was only talking about Patriarch. ‘My history ” is all right as it is, thank you.
Putin lobbied Patriarch Bartholomew not to support autocephaly in Ukraine. The US neocons supported and Israel lobbied for autocephaly. P. Bartholomew sided with the United States and Israel. No one should be surprised by the result. Can the Patriarch ask Putin to intervene? He burned his bridges with Putin.
A curse on Patriarch Bartholomew The Dolt.
Regarding Montenegro it would have been an nonissue were it not for the liquidation of the Serbian state of Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 by the “orthodox brother” Putin. Metropolitan of Montenegro Amfilohije (Serbian Orthodox Church) said (Google translate): “Montenegro would never exist without Russia. From the time of Bishop Danilo, the battle of Carevo Laz, and even later… all the way to Nikola (prince, then king of Montenegro – note P. T.). Even to these communists of ours. If it were not for Stalin, the communists would not have ruled this country either. What they use is the worst, what communism has had the worst. If it weren’t for Russia, Djukanovic wouldn’t be the president, if it weren’t for (Russian) money, he wouldn’t have won the referendum in Montenegro. He knows that well. ” So, when it comes to the Serbs, we do not really need to blame either Erdogan or Bartholomew I because Russia fully participated with “partners” in destruction of our people, country, and the Church. Or should we say that “brotherly” Russia prepared the way. https://stanjestvari.com/2020/03/06/ruski-mediji-uplaseni-politickom-nekorektnoscu-vladike-amfilohija/comment-page-1/?unapproved=85209&moderation-hash=1f7d8645162e38d35b35249d666a309c#comment-85209
You are probably not Serb or you are simply paid traitor. Territorial integrity of Serbia depends on Russian support only. That’s why all (by West paid) traitors in Serbia attack Russia now. To facilitate Kosovo independence and creation of Greater Albania.
Don’t be so harsh with your Russian half-brothers. They were just trying to realize the centuries long dream to get, behind Serbian backs, their hands on a piece of real estate on warm Adriatic. Nothing new. They also armed Croatian fascists and criminals for many years so they can kill as many Serbs as possible. It wasn’t really brotherly, but…! Today we see the results: both their creations from hell are members of NATO and Russian haters. The only friends that Russia still has in all of Europe are actually the Serbs. It all shows how good and well-meaning your brothers were (are) to the Serbian people. It also shows how smart they are.
Eat shit you filthy Sroros paid bot scum !!
You pro-NATO filthy troll bastard!
This is distraction from real Erdogan’s evil plans.
You are wrong.
That was planned and systematic attack by USA on Russian Orthodox church in Ukraine through that man. Attack on ethnic Russian population, thus on Russian key interests in Ukraine.
Nevertheless USA is waging a War against Ortodoxy and Islam. Evidences are clear. And that’s all because of theirs political agenda, whatever. Erdogan is just one of many.
against Ortodoxy just to get to Russia against Islam to make “divide and rule over the Muslims” So not really directly against both of the religions (they are not trying to destroy them )
it is more like attempt to instrumentalize religion for their own interests and objectives
I never had respect for the psuedo neo-liberal c0ksuker and thats by definition to its faith not christs!
“Bartholomew I apparently believed that the United States will contribute efforts to keep him in power” It still amazes me that US puppets really believe their treacherous services to the US will be repaid out of American goodwill! The US uses puppets for so long as they are needed & give nothing in return but promises that will never be fulfilled. It’s beyond me how even powerful people never see this coming.