Announcement sets dates and stages of 2016 Pan-Orthodox Synod. Participants express solidarity with the people of Syria and persecuted Christians, and make an appeal for the release of all hostages. They pray reconciliation in Ukraine. Faced with the world's economic and moral crisis, the Churches respond by bearing spiritual witness to the faith and defending human dignity, the relationship between men and women, and the environment.
Speaking to a group of visiting scholars at the Phanar, Bartholomew I defends the building's Christian roots, pledging opposition by all Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Churches.
Made many times but never kept, the promise to reopen the Halki Theological School is another of the prime minister's mad ideas. So far, his ambitions have been hampered by his own authoritarian streak, allegations of corruption made against him, and the Gezi Park protest movement. Now Erdogan's aim is to get at least 40 per cent of the vote in next month's elections.
Meeting to set guidelines and timeframe for Preparatory Commission of the Pan-Orthodox Synod . But also to highlight the need to go beyond "localisms" and undertake joint initiatives . Zizioulas: self-marginalization the greatest danger of the Christian world today .
The government upheaval and police charges against political figures stem from opposition of once allied followers of Prime Minister Erdogan and those of Imam Gulen , the founder of the Hizmet Islamic community. A critical political phase with dangerous and unpredictable consequences.
The importance of the Christian family, "cell of life and cradle for the correct and proper growth of children" founded on the nature of man and woman: The Christmas message of the Ecumenical Patriarch .
The decision to meet in Jerusalem in the spring of 2014 is particularly important coming on the 50th anniversary of the historic embrace between Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras. "We are very saddened by our failure to reach full communion, cause of so many evils among us Christians".
Ethnic and religious cleansing accompanied the genocide perpetrated by the Young Turks and the construction of Ataturk's new Turkey. Millions of Turks are related to Armenians. Crypto-Armenians and Crypto-Christians are now breaking their silence.
The commission set up to draft amendments to the constitution is set to be dissolved due to major differences among Turkish parties, especially over issues such as the recognition of Kurdish rights and the transformation of Turkey into a presidential republic.
Since the 1974 invasion, the 200 thousand Greek Cypriots forced to leave the area have been replaced by 300 thousand settlers from Anatolia, who lack education, but are devout Muslims. And even the original Turkish Cypriots are victims of discrimination at the hands of the Turkish occupiers and their settlers.
The ceremony should take place in 2015 , the centenary of the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians. Armenian bishops from around the world at the synod which decided the canonization. The tensions between Armenia and Turkey take on "religious" character.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople "welcomes the Pope's call for a day of prayer and fasting". Patriarch also issues an appeal to world leaders gathered for the G20. May God "enlighten your minds" fir "war must be avoided at all costs."
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