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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reportedly ordered officials to resume talks on reopening the Halki Theological School, a historic Orthodox Christian seminary near İstanbul closed for over five decades.
Turkish President Erdogan and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met in Ankara to discuss the potential reopening of the Halki Theological School. The meeting focused on the future of the historic institution, which has been closed since 1971.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew announced that the renovated Halki Theological School will be inaugurated in September during an event titled 'Timelessness and Ecumenicity: The Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Contemporary World'.
After 55 years, the Halki Theological School is closer to reopening, with recent contacts between Turkish leadership and the Ecumenical Patriarchate rekindling hopes. The school is expected to offer postgraduate study programs.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed optimism about the reopening of the Halki Theological School, stating that restoration work is expected to be completed in September and constructive dialogue with Erdoğan is ongoing.
Turkey is reportedly planning to reopen the Halki Theological Seminary, which has been closed for 50 years. This decision comes after pressure from the United States, particularly from President Trump, and the European Union.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held a meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in Athens to discuss various issues, including the Halki Theological School and the plight of Christians in the Middle East. The Patriarch also delivered messages on scientific progress and humanity during his visit to Greece.