The United States has said it recognised the Greek Orthodox Patriarchy in Istanbul as having ecumenical status, a written statement issued late Monday said.

Story here .

Great news. Thanks for posting the link.

read the story, it is good news. but it seems to beg the question: where does it all go from here? I realize that we can conject and hypothesize, but what are the ramifications for a community that has been under the Turkish boot since that dreadful day in 1453? but thanx for the link.
Much Love,
Jonn

ostpolitik at work...

Dear John you said:

"I read the story, it is good news. but it seems to beg the question: where does it all go from here? I realize that we can conject and hypothesize, but what are the ramifications for a community that has been under the Turkish boot since that dreadful day in 1453? but thanx for the link."

I say:

If you mean the community in Istanbul, there is none. What was once the majority one-hundred years ago, is now down to about five-thousand elderly Greek Orthodox. If you mean the community around the world, then that's a different story. I think it would affirm his position.

I tried to read the article, but it seems to be in Turkish...or what not. I believe that it has to do with Turkey's position that the Patriarch is only the bishop of the Greeks left in Istanbul. The Bulgarians have stated that the Bulgarian Orthodox in Turkey are not under the Patriarch, and we could go on and on. Can't help but feel that the Turkish government is behind the Bulgarian stance.

Either way, I'm glad that the U.S. affirmed the Patriarch's position. It is good news... that is if any good news can come out of that part of the world.

Zenovia

Any open statement of recognition such as this one is helpful, but I wonder how much "political capital" the administration would be willing to spend on this given their other overwhelming concerns in Iraq, Iran, and the Kurdish question.

The status quo between the USA and Turkey is very acceptable to both sides. The violent Turkish opposition to an independent Kurdistan serves as a convenient excuse when the USA pushes for a unified Iraq versus a more loosely federated one whereby the Kurds might ultimately seek full sovereignty. Furthermore, Turkey is a major purchaser of US-built armaments as well as a producer of many of the more sophisticated ones under license (M-2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and F-16 Falcons) from which the US originator receives royalties.

It may fall to the EU and the real threat of a "NO" to Turkish membership that may cause positive changes to the Patriarchate's situation.

In the meantime, we pray.

In Christ,
Andrew

Dear Zenovia,

If your computer attempts to activate Turkish language/characters, just cancel the activation and the article should come up in English. That is what I did.

Andrew

It was for all of the reasons you outline that I found it somewhat odd that this statement came out. It seems like there is a lot to be lost and very little to be gained by taking this stance; at least if you look at this simply from the level of practical U.S. Middle East foreign policy. That’s why I don’t think this is actually an instance of Ostpolitik.

I agree that it is highly unlikely that this statement or others like it will do much to change the situation, and that it will be conditions attached to EU accession that will.

Andrew