Christian leaders in Jerusalem are condemning the Jerusalem Municipality’s attempt to seize Armenian Church land, calling it a legally dubious and morally unacceptable act that threatens the centuries-old Christian presence in the Holy Land. They urge Prime Minister Netanyahu to intervene as the municipality claims decades of unpaid taxes, a claim the Patriarchate denies.
Tag: religious freedom
A growing wave of nationalism in Turkey is increasingly marginalizing the country’s Christian minority, according to the *World Watch List 2025*. The report highlights significant challenges faced by Christians, including societal discrimination, legal hurdles, and attacks on churches, particularly in regions with ethnic and religious tensions. Despite Christianity’s historical presence, converts and Christian communities face persistent hostility and persecution, with many fleeing to escape violence and systemic discrimination.
Greek-Australian Archbishop Makarios, alongside other Christian leaders, has condemned the rise of anti-Semitism in Australia, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom and condemning the violence against Jews following the Hamas terror attacks in Gaza. In his call for peace, he highlights the illogical and harmful conflation of individuals with the actions of national governments, urging unity and the protection of all Australians’ rights and freedoms.
Turkey’s Constitutional Court has ruled that barring two Greek Orthodox clerics from serving on a foundation board violated their right to freedom of association. The decision, published in the Official Gazette and reported by Agos news website, follows a similar ruling in 2023.
President Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president and recipient of the 1987 Athenagoras Human Rights Award, passed away at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024. Known for his humanitarian work, peace efforts, and deep Christian commitment, Carter’s legacy includes the Camp David Accords and his Nobel Peace Prize. He was a staunch advocate for human rights and played a key role in the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s reconstruction efforts. His passing marks the loss of a moral leader whose dedication to global peace and dignity will be remembered.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent comments on Jerusalem raise significant questions about Turkey’s sovereignty over Istanbul. While his government claims to protect religious heritage, Erdoğan’s actions, such as the conversion of major Christian landmarks into mosques, tell a different story. These moves not only challenge the status of Jerusalem but also highlight concerns about religious freedom and minority rights within Turkey. As discussions on Jerusalem’s status unfold, the international community may reconsider its stance on Istanbul’s sovereignty.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss the plight of Syrian Christians, the reopening of the Halki Theological School, and the upcoming 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.
Demonstrations erupted in Christian neighborhoods of Damascus after a Christmas tree was burned near Hama, Syria. Protesters voiced concerns about sectarianism and the treatment of minorities following the recent overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by an alliance of armed groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Cyprus has appointed Thessalia Salina Shambos as Special Representative for religious minorities in the Middle East, a move welcomed by the incoming Trump administration. This initiative aims to protect Christian communities and promote humanitarian aid, leveraging Cyprus’s unique position in the region and its upcoming EU presidency. The appointment underscores the growing strategic partnership between the US and Cyprus on issues of religious freedom and regional stability.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America congratulated Kimberly Guilfoyle on her nomination as US Ambassador to Greece, extending his heartfelt wishes for success in the role. During their conversation, the Archbishop highlighted the importance of strengthening US-Greece ties and safeguarding religious freedom, particularly for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He also invited Guilfoyle to visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and expressed his enthusiasm for meeting her at the upcoming presidential inauguration.
The Victorian Government has introduced the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-Vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill 2024 to strengthen protections against vilification and hate speech. The Bill expands legal safeguards for Victorians based on race, religion, disability, gender identity, and more. It also creates new criminal offences for serious vilification, including inciting hatred and threatening harm, while safeguarding freedom of speech and religion. Bill Papastergiadis, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, voiced strong support for the reforms, emphasizing the importance of fostering a safe, inclusive, and unified society.
Greece has pledged significant support to key Orthodox Christian patriarchates, creating 600 clergy positions to counter Russian influence and bolster its own religious and geopolitical standing. This move aims to stabilize struggling patriarchates in the face of Russian expansionism and comes amid heightened tensions within the Orthodox world following the Ukrainian Church’s independence. The initiative marks a strategic investment by Greece in the complex intersection of religion and international relations.
Premier Hon Jacinta Allan MP met with faith and community leaders to discuss strengthened anti-vilification laws aimed at curbing hate speech and protecting social cohesion in Victoria. The meeting precedes the introduction of the bills in Parliament next week and included discussions on balancing freedom of speech with the need for a respectful society. The Premier and Lord Mayor later addressed public safety for upcoming Christmas events.
At a recent OSCE conference, leaders from the Eastern Orthodox Christian community warned that Turkey’s policies are jeopardizing the survival of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Greek Orthodox community. They highlighted how these actions could also enhance Russian influence, urging international advocacy for religious freedom and legal recognition of minority rights in Turkey.
A CNN Travel article celebrating the Panagia Sumela Monastery in Turkey has sparked outrage among Pontic Greek communities for allegedly whitewashing history and promoting Turkish propaganda. Critics accuse the article of ignoring the forced conversion and persecution of Pontic Greeks under Ottoman rule, as well as the Turkish government’s ongoing restrictions on religious freedom.
Turkish Nationalist and Pro-Government Groups Pressure Authorities to Cancel Greek Orthodox Ceremony
Tensions are high in Trabzon, Turkey, as nationalist and pro-government groups pressure authorities to cancel a Greek Orthodox ceremony scheduled for August 23rd at the historic Sümela Monastery. The ceremony, marking the Assumption of Mary, is organized by the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate. This year’s event has been particularly contentious…
A Greek court convicted a woman for launching a defamatory campaign against a prominent Greek Orthodox Archbishop based in Australia. Vasiliki Morali was sentenced to eleven months in prison, suspended for three years, for repeated online slander and insults targeting His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need announced the release of two Ukrainian Greek Catholic priests who had been captured in November 2022 by the Russian National Guard.
Greek-American businessman John Catsimatidis, in an interview, condemned the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, calling it “tragic.” He expressed doubt over Turkey reversing this decision and highlighted the challenges faced by the Ecumenical Patriarchate from the Moscow Patriarchate.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has strongly criticised the Turkish government’s decision to…