Analysts have often observed that Ankara tends to frame the reopening of the Halki Seminary as part of the broader Greek-Turkish relations, although it is, in reality, a distinct issue.
A Potential Diplomatic Milestone
Discussions between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Turkey’s Ministry of Education regarding the reopening of the Halki Theological School, the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s main seminary on the island of Halki in the Sea of Marmara, are reportedly in advanced stages. According to reliable sources, if all goes according to plan, the historic seminary could resume operations as early as September 2026. Renovation work has been completed, and Turkish government officials are signaling a strong commitment to honoring this timeline. For the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the reopening is an issue of great significance.
The matter was prominently addressed at an official Iftar dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on March 27, where he welcomed representatives from religious minority communities in Ankara. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, as the senior representative of religious minorities, had the opportunity to raise a range of concerns affecting the Greek Orthodox community and the Patriarchate. The conversation was reportedly conducted in a cordial and receptive atmosphere, with Erdoğan expressing genuine interest in the issues raised.
A Glimmer of Hope
Erdoğan’s comments during the dinner further fueled optimism regarding the reopening of Halki Seminary. He stated, “At a time when hate speech, racism, and fanaticism are on the rise worldwide, we need more than ever to preserve and strengthen our multicultural identity.” He emphasized Turkey’s historical ability to embrace a diversity of religions and cultures, a remark that carries additional weight following the recent imprisonment of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
A Strategic Gesture in the Diplomatic Arena
While Turkey often frames the reopening of Halki Seminary as part of the broader Greek-Turkish relations, many analysts view it as a separate issue with potential diplomatic significance. Turkey presents it as a gesture of goodwill—a “concession” that could improve its international image, especially amid growing global criticism of its human rights record and political repression. The reopening would serve as a positive news story for Ankara, counterbalancing the ongoing negative press, particularly related to the İmamoğlu case.
Ministerial Oversight
The most recent significant dialogue on the reopening of the seminary took place in June, during a meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the International Peace Conference in Switzerland. Shortly after this meeting, Mitsotakis publicly acknowledged the first signs of progress on the Turkish side regarding the issue—a longstanding request from Greece.
In May 2023, Turkish Minister of Education Yusuf Tekin, acting on Erdoğan’s directive, visited the seminary to assess the ongoing renovations. Following his visit, Tekin expressed his desire for the seminary to reopen, but he also clarified that the final decision lay with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and President Erdoğan. He further noted that the reopening was a matter of strategic importance for Turkey’s global standing.
A Future to Watch
As political and diplomatic dynamics continue to evolve, attention will remain on whether Turkey will fulfill its promises regarding the reopening of Halki Seminary. For now, both the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox community cautiously remain hopeful that, after decades of closure, the doors of the Halki Theological Seminary will finally open once again.
The new Consul General of Greece in Constantinople at Halki seminary