Dear Brothers and Sisters of Ahepa Canada and friends!

The Halki Theological School was closed by an action of the Turkish government in 1971, and since that time, has been subject to actions by government agencies that seek to curb its activities. The building is currently used for conferences, most notably, the International Environmental Symposium sponsored annually by His All Holiness and various world renowned dignitaries. The School was founded in the nineteenth century on the grounds of the Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Trinity that has occupied the site for over 1,000 years.

For some time now, and in various ways, AHEPA has promoted the re-opening of the Patriarchal Theological School of Halki in Constantinople, illegally ordered closed in 1971 by the then Turkish government. The Theological School has been the beacon of religious and scholarly enlightenment of Eastern Orthodox Christianity for more than a millennium and has been the spawning ground of Patriarchs, Bishops, Clergy and Saints of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The continuity of the Patriarchate is absolutely dependent on the existence of an eminent educational institution in Turkey that will promote Eastern Orthodox Christianity and that will continue to provide the world with enlightened clerics and scholars. Furthermore, it is in the interests of the regime in Ankara to re-open the School without any conditions,thereby sending a positive message to the European Union for its religious tolerance. 

AHEPA CANADA proposes to lead an international effort to sensitize the World to the importance and the necessity of re-opening of The Theological School of Halki. With the ability to instantly communicate with over 5300 parliamentarians in all five continents, NGOs, the EU, UN.

Fraternally,

Xenophon Scoufaras
President, AHEPA Canada

action@hec.greece.org

Back to Press Releases and Alerts