Erdogan orders talks to reopen Orthodox Christian seminary in Turkey, a focus for Trump

World churchGreecereligiontrumpturkey Erdogan orders talks to reopen Orthodox Christian seminary in Turkey, a focus for Trump 1280px His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I At Arcticcircle2017 (37625491456) Relevant News Erdogan orders talks to reopen Orthodox Christian seminary in Turkey, a focus for Trump 22 June 2026 UK’s Starmer expected to set out exit timetable as Burnham waits in the wings 22 June 2026 No more reservoir dogs: Cyprus to install escape ramps to stop animals drowning 22 June 2026 newsroom 22 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan ordered officials on Sunday to resume talks on reopening an Orthodox Christian seminary near Istanbul, an issue raised by U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to visit Ankara next month for a NATO summit. The Halki seminary, founded in 1844 and shut by the Turkish state in 1971, played a central role in the Eastern Orthodox Church as the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s main theological school. It trained generations of Orthodox clergy, including the current patriarch Bartholomew, who is based in Istanbul. Trump raised the issue in talks with Erdogan in Washington last year. Muslim and secular Turkey has long faced pressure from Greece, the United States and European Union to reopen the theological school on Heybeliada island near Istanbul. Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, whose diocese covers Istanbul, said the issue had entered a “new phase” after Erdogan instructed Turkey’s higher education authority, to continue discussions with the Patriarchate’s committee. Although there is no timetable yet for the reopening of the school, Metropolitan Emmanuel said: “For the Patriarchate, after decades of inaction, the water has entered the trough” signaling that institutional work has begun. Emmanuel added that both sides still needed to complete renovation work on the building complex and agree on the legal and educational framework under which it would operate. Halki seminary was closed in 1971 following a Constitutional Court ruling that private higher education institutions must be affiliated with state universities, a requirement rejected by the Patriarchate. (Reuters) Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News UK’s Starmer expected to set out exit timetable as Burnham waits in the wings No more reservoir dogs: Cyprus to install escape ramps to stop animals drowning Christodoulides briefs new-look National Council on Cyprus problem as UN envoy prepares return visit Cyprus food prices above EU average for dairy and oils but cheaper for meat and vegetables Europe’s millionaires are moving to Cyprus, study shows Things to do on Monday, June 22 Urban rooftops, beachside restaurants and open-air bars are back for summer Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.