The dilemma of the Patriarchate of Istanbul

On June 26th, 2007, the supreme court of Turkey rule that the Patriarch of Istanbul should not enjoy the title of Ecumenical Patriarch, because this Patriarchate only has authority over the Orthodox church within Turkey, and therefore should not be received by the Orthodox church outside of Turkey.

In 400 A.D, Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire to Constantinople (present day Istanbul). Not long after, the Patriarch of Istanbul lost all ties to the Roman Church, and thus established what is now known as the Orthodox Church. Although the Patriarchate of Istanbul was then called the Ecumenical Patriarch, each Patriarchate of the Orthodox Church exists independent of each other.

However, since 1453 when the Ottomans occupied the Roman Empire, and brought with it the religion of Islam, the Patriarchate of Istanbul has had limited authority and influence. The ruling of the supreme court of Turkey is only the tip of the iceberg.

The Orthodox Church was passed on by the Apostles. Although they are not unified with the Roman Church, they share the same clergy. Therefore they are often calle Sister Churches. In the year 1967, Pope Paul VI met with the Patriarch of Istanbul (then Atenagoras) in the hope that the two Churches can achieve the vision of the 'one cup'.

The marvel of God's plan is that with the Roman Emperor leaving Rome for Constantinople, the Roman pope inadvertently enjoyed a greater degree of freedom to spread the good news of the Gospel to those outside of the Roman Empire.

The current Patriarch of Istanbul is Bartholomew I. He was once the secretary of Atengoras, and he is in favour of unity with the Roman Church.

Let us pray for the brothers and sisters of the Orthodox Church. May God help them so that, even when under restricted circumstances, they can continue to be witnesses for God.