Halki theological school - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**WeightWatchyshow** · 10-21-2005, 10:01 AM

The pressure is beginning to mount... Let us pray this school opens up in the near future.

http://newsfromrussia.com/world/2005/10/20/65738.html

**T5qYkHWQ** · 10-21-2005, 02:21 PM

Dear Antonios,

I visited Constantinople and the Halki Theological School last summer. The school feels like a ghost institution, with empty classrooms and darkened corridors. A priest addressed the group I was in, telling us a little about the history of the school and the legal catch-22 in which the Turkish government placed the institution in 1971. Its a real shame that this school, which is located on a beautiful small island in the "Prinkiponisa", is not host to Orthodox students and teachers from around the world.

The Greek community in Constantinople seemed run-down and demoralised. I had the sense that the Turkish government was, while not actively persecuting, simply letting the community down in so many ways that its identity and existence as a distinct ethnic group will eventually no longer be viable. I noticed the Constantinopolitan Greeks who spoke to us had Turkish accents and sometimes a limited vocabulary in Greek, a sure sign of the state of Greek education in the country that aspires to be a member of the EC. I also notice in the article you quoted that the Turkish government spokesman was asking for "time" to allow the Halki school to be opened. The EC may or may not be aware of this, but "time" here in Cyprus is known to be a Turkish strategy for letting circumstances turn to their favour again, and can therefore continue indefinitely.

Sorry I can't say something more cheerful about this.

In Christ
Byron

**WeightWatchyshow** · 10-22-2005, 02:00 AM

Thank you Byron for you post. I have not had the opportunity to visit the school, but your descriptions echo others I have read about, also with regards to the demoralization and dwindling Orthodox community in Constantinople.

My prayer is that European civil authorities and other heads-of-state will make the re-opening of this school and the removal of all the legal barriers and hurdles to Orthodox freedom part of its stringent requirements of entry into the EU. Otherwise, I can't see how Turkey can call itself a secular and free country and thus have any chance at joing the EU.

If such freedom is granted and the school is re-opened, that would very likely bring a Christian renewal into New Rome. What a beautiful triumph of Orthodoxy it would be! I pray this happens in our lifetime.

Glory be to God, and His will be done.

**spravka.ua** · 10-22-2005, 04:52 AM

I think that it is totaly unfair that such a great school was closed. i pray to God to enlighten the Turks and bring back the Theological Seminary of Halki.

**WeightWatchyshow** · 12-15-2005, 10:20 AM

This is an unbelievable, but true, story. Glory be to God for all things!!!

**T5qYkHWQ** · 12-15-2005, 03:07 PM

Dear Antonios,

Thank you for the amazing story and for the wonderful, sobering prayer by St Basil (so strangely contemporary, a wonderful saint!) you posted on another thread.

In Christ
Byron

**WeightWatchyshow** · 12-16-2005, 02:24 AM

Your welcome, Byron. I heard it read on an episode of "Our Life in Christ" radio program and then tracked it down on the internet.

PS: Sorry everyone. I made a mistake on the title of this thread. It was supposed to read "Modern day miracle".

10-21-2005, 10:01 AM	#1
WeightWatchyshow Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 428 Senior Member	Halki theological school The pressure is beginning to mount... Let us pray this school opens up in the near future. http://newsfromrussia.com/world/2005/10/20/65738.html Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

10-21-2005, 02:21 PM	#2
T5qYkHWQ Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 429 Senior Member	Dear Antonios, I visited Constantinople and the Halki Theological School last summer. The school feels like a ghost institution, with empty classrooms and darkened corridors. A priest addressed the group I was in, telling us a little about the history of the school and the legal catch-22 in which the Turkish government placed the institution in 1971. Its a real shame that this school, which is located on a beautiful small island in the "Prinkiponisa", is not host to Orthodox students and teachers from around the world. The Greek community in Constantinople seemed run-down and demoralised. I had the sense that the Turkish government was, while not actively persecuting, simply letting the community down in so many ways that its identity and existence as a distinct ethnic group will eventually no longer be viable. I noticed the Constantinopolitan Greeks who spoke to us had Turkish accents and sometimes a limited vocabulary in Greek, a sure sign of the state of Greek education in the country that aspires to be a member of the EC. I also notice in the article you quoted that the Turkish government spokesman was asking for "time" to allow the Halki school to be opened. The EC may or may not be aware of this, but "time" here in Cyprus is known to be a Turkish strategy for letting circumstances turn to their favour again, and can therefore continue indefinitely. Sorry I can't say something more cheerful about this. In Christ Byron Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

10-22-2005, 02:00 AM	#3
WeightWatchyshow Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 428 Senior Member	Thank you Byron for you post. I have not had the opportunity to visit the school, but your descriptions echo others I have read about, also with regards to the demoralization and dwindling Orthodox community in Constantinople. My prayer is that European civil authorities and other heads-of-state will make the re-opening of this school and the removal of all the legal barriers and hurdles to Orthodox freedom part of its stringent requirements of entry into the EU. Otherwise, I can't see how Turkey can call itself a secular and free country and thus have any chance at joing the EU. If such freedom is granted and the school is re-opened, that would very likely bring a Christian renewal into New Rome. What a beautiful triumph of Orthodoxy it would be! I pray this happens in our lifetime. Glory be to God, and His will be done. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

10-22-2005, 04:52 AM	#4
spravka.ua Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 408 Senior Member	I think that it is totaly unfair that such a great school was closed. i pray to God to enlighten the Turks and bring back the Theological Seminary of Halki. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

12-15-2005, 10:20 AM	#5
WeightWatchyshow Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 428 Senior Member	This is an unbelievable, but true, story. Glory be to God for all things!!! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

12-15-2005, 03:07 PM	#6
T5qYkHWQ Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 429 Senior Member	Dear Antonios, Thank you for the amazing story and for the wonderful, sobering prayer by St Basil (so strangely contemporary, a wonderful saint!) you posted on another thread. In Christ Byron Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

12-16-2005, 02:24 AM	#7
WeightWatchyshow Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 428 Senior Member	Your welcome, Byron. I heard it read on an episode of "Our Life in Christ" radio program and then tracked it down on the internet. PS: Sorry everyone. I made a mistake on the title of this thread. It was supposed to read "Modern day miracle". Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

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