As part of its longstanding commitment to preserving the history and future of the Greek Orphanage complex on Prinkipo, the Ecumenical Patriarchate proceeded on Monday, 15 June 2026, with the signing of an agreement for its management and redevelopment.
The agreement was signed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Mr Serdar Bilgili, Chairman of Bilgili Holding, one of Türkiye’s leading real estate investment companies, in the presence of Mrs Konstantza Sbokou-Konstantakopoulou representing ENSOFI Holding, a pioneering Greek company active in sustainable tourism development and real estate investment. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, Bilgili Holding, and ENSOFI Holding are collaborating on this important project.
The signing ceremony took place at the Marasleios School building in the Phanar. Also present were Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Chairman of the special committee of the Ecumenical Patriarchate that studied and finalised the agreement, and Mr Panteleimon Vingas, Archon Grand Chartophylax of the Mother Church, who in recent years coordinated the Patriarchate’s efforts regarding the Orphanage project, together with senior executives from both companies. Also in attendance were the Synodal Metropolitans, Metropolitan Theoleptos of Iconium, and Metropolitan Gregorios of Ankara, Protosyncellus, along with other officials of the Patriarchate.
It is recalled that the Greek Orphanage, originally constructed to house the “Pringipos Palace” hotel, came into the ownership of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1903 through a donation by the great benefactress, the late Helen Zarifi. It functioned as an orphanage and residential facility for children until 1964, when it was closed by decision of the competent state authorities.
In 2010, following an appeal by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the European Court of Human Rights recognised the Patriarchate’s ownership of the property, which had been legally contested in Türkiye. The Court’s ruling marked the beginning of the Patriarchate’s efforts to identify the most appropriate solution for preserving the historic property, the only asset for which the Patriarchate holds title deeds in its own name.
Photographs: Nikos Papachristou / Ecumenical Patriarchate
