NAT da Polis

Triggered by Erdogan’s row with Peres, Israeli-Turkish tensions flare up again with Israel’s exclusion from planned military exercises. In reality, Turkey is strategically repositioning itself in the region in order to play a key role in energy supplies to Europe.

About 90 tombstones are broken. Incidents of this nature are not rate in the city but the local press failed to report it. Only recently and through a movie, have young Turks begun to learn about past anti-Christian pogroms. Ecumenical patriarch Bartholomew visits the cemetery in question.

Prime minister makes surprise visit to Bartholomew I and Büyükada Island, home to buildings owned by the Patriarchate, seized by the Turkish government, but recognised as Orthodox Church property by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The Turkish prime minister continues on his path as a Janus-faced leader, in favour of democracy and minority rights on the one hand and playing the Turkish nationalist card on the other.

The head of EU enlargement has said that the accession process of Turkey also depends on the Halki school, an institution for the formation of the clergy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, closed since 1971. The government remains silent, while the debate grows in the media. The real issue is the recognition of the status of the Patriarchate.

The new Patriarch of Moscow and the Ecumenical Patriarch agree that the pan-Orthodox meeting in October consolidated the path towards Orthodox unity. Only a united Church can meet the challenges of today’s world.

The first preparatory meeting of the Pan-Orthodox Synod makes the decision. In doing so the close correlation of the Christian message to the ethnic origin of believers has been surmounted; until recently the issue created difficulties and was often misunderstood and exploited. The decision of the Moscow Patriarch to make his first foreign trip to Constantinople is a significant step.

In a clear reference to the Greek and Armenian minorities, the premier attacks blind nationalism that does not want to question the past. Appreciation for Erdogan’s words from the Greeks, Armenians and western diplomats. Now everyone wants facts to follow words.

Many parishes and communities have been requisitioned by the Direction for Religious Foundations and used for private purposes (even as gaming halls). The Synod of the Patriarchate has made the decision to appeal to the courts in Turkey and should that fail to Strasbourg.

Concerns for the AKP hold and economic crisis. Foreign Ministry goes to politician unfavourable to European membership.

Against the philosophers of the "death of God," the ecumenical patriarch stresses that for the Church as well, God did die, on Golgotha, but he rose again, it is "one who died who is the captain of life": in him, today's man, betrayed by his idols, can find consolation and salvation.

Erdogan’s ruling party loses votes because of a campaign marked by arrogance, Kurdish and Alevi disillusionment over unfulfilled promises and fears over the Islamisation of Turkish society. Now the prime minister could reshuffle his cabinet or create a new party.

The AKP is the clear favorite, and seems set to win over the nationalists and Kurds. The electoral campaign has been conducted amid scandal, but freely and openly. The unknown postelection scenario: relations with the EU, or a "neo-Ottoman" program? Even the Vatican has something to say.