A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
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| Volume 6 Number 37 - Tuesday, September 14th, 2004 |
A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY |
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The Orthodox Christian News Service |
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Fanatic Turks Protest the Patriarchate
BOSTON - Forceful attacks were launched on Sunday afternoon against the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. Extremist groups known as "gray wolves" belonging to the "Nationalistic Action" party gathered outside of the Patriarchal headquarters at the Phanar shouting slogans against Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomaios. The "gray wolves" burned a simulacrum of Patriarch Bartholomaios and threw stones against the walls of the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George. The Patriarch was not in the Phanar during the demonstration, as he was officiating at the Divine Liturgy on the island of Antigoni. The Turkish Police forces were able to protect the Patriarchate and used tear gas to lead the "gray wolves" away from the Patriarchate. The protesters had announced their demonstration three days before in their newspaper "Yeni Car," which means "New Era," calling upon the Turkish people to gather at the Patriarchate and demonstrate against Patriarch Bartholomaios, charging him with "anti-ethnic behavior." The demonstrators, who appear to be very fanatic, are against the European orientation of Turkey, asserting that "Turkey cannot be divided." Political observers believe that the demonstrations aim to intimidate the Ecumenical Patriarch for opening the Holy Synod to Hierachs who are not Turkish citizens, as well as the possible reopening of the Theological School of Halki. The incident coincided with the 49th anniversary since the deadly events of September 1955, which marked the catastrophe of the Greek Orthodox population of Constantinople, the churches and the institutions. The first to express support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate was Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and all of Greece. In a letter to Patriarch Bartholomaios, Archbishop Christodoulos condemned the attacks by the "gray wolves." Archbishop Demetrios of America expressed support "towards our Ecumenical Patriarchate and we condemn roundly the asperities." The government of Greece also publicly condemned the incident. Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, in a statement to The National Herald, said: "We pray to God to protect first our Ecumenical Patriarch and all our brothers who are struggling for Orthodoxy in Constantinople."
The Patriarchate,
in a written statement, said "the incident was
instigated by those circles who are trying to
block the course of Turkey to the European Union.
The events could have assumed very serious
dimensions but the authorities intervened in a
dynamic and decisive way. We emphasize again that
we believe in the accession of the country into
the European Union and we will continue to support
its candidacy." |
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