LAST UPDATE: 18:45
The Ecumenical Patriarch was targeted by the Turkish government, as President Erdogan’s coalition partner, Devlet Bahçeli, publicly denied the existence of both the Ecumenical Patriarch and the city of Constantinople. Speaking to his party’s parliamentary group, Bahçeli asserted, “There is no Ecumenical Patriarch, nor a city named Constantinople.”
According to a report by Skai.gr, Bahçeli expressed nationalist sentiments, stating, “Our inspiration is the cry that says ‘I will include in Turkey islands, Western Thrace, and Thessaloniki.'”
Bahçeli criticized the invitation of the “Greek Patriarch of the Phanar,” as he referred to the Ecumenical Patriarch, to a recent summit and condemned the title “Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.” He was particularly incensed that the Ecumenical Patriarch signed the summit’s final declaration.
“Another unacceptable issue is the invitation of the Greek Patriarch of the Phanar to the summit, calling him the ‘Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople,’ and that he signed the final declaration,” Bahçeli said. “The Summit for Peace in Ukraine deliberately ignored the sovereignty of the Republic of Turkey and the relevant provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne.”
Bahçeli went on to assert that there is no city named “Constantinople” within Turkey, claiming that this title holds no validity or legitimacy. He stated, “There is no city named ‘Constantinople’ within the borders of the Republic of Turkey. The universal title has no validity and legitimacy. Those who claim otherwise are lovers of Byzantium and enemies of the Muslim Turkish nation. No one has the power to turn Constantinople into a second Vatican.”
He further emphasized the national and spiritual significance of the city, saying, “Constantinople, the legacy of our conquest, is also the epitome of our national and spiritual honor. The conversion of Hagia Sophia into its original form of a mosque and its opening for worship to Muslims has scared many individuals and driven everyone crazy since that day.”
Turkey Demands Removal of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s Signature from Ukraine Summit Declaration
The pressure on the Ecumenical Patriarch continues to mount as Turkey expresses frustration over Patriarch Bartholomew’s inclusion in the joint declaration from the recent Ukraine summit held in Switzerland. As a result, Turkey successfully lobbied for the removal of his signature from the official document.
According to Öncü Keçeli, spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkey sought clarification on Bartholomew’s signing of the declaration, stating: “When Turkey’s signature was added to the joint declaration, the signature of the Greek Patriarchate (as Turkey refers to the Ecumenical Patriarchate) was not present. This addition was impossible since the Patriarchate was only an observer. The signature of the Patriarchate was included in the Joint Declaration of the Summit several days after the event concluded. Following the intervention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Swiss and Ukrainian authorities were compelled to issue a revised list excluding the Patriarchate’s signature,” said the Turkish spokesman.
Keçeli further explained that Turkey had conveyed its concerns about Bartholomew’s participation to the summit organizers, both before and during the event. “When Ankara’s concerns were ignored, the Turkish Republic took immediate and necessary actions,” he added.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
