In response to an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which was extended to him and the other religious leaders in the country, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew traveled to Ankara today, March 10, 2026, where an iftar dinner was hosted at the presidential palace. The dinner was held during Ramadan, after the daily fast had ended.
The Ecumenical Patriarch conveyed his well-wishes to the president and, through him, to all Muslims in the country for the holy month of Ramadan.
The Ecumenical Patriarch returned to Constantinople the same day and was accompanied by Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon.
Yesterday, Monday, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) hosted a similar official dinner in Ankara. The Ecumenical Patriarch, who is invited every year, was represented by Metropolitan Joachim of Prusa.
Photograph courtesy of the Presidency of the Republic
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
