Title: European Prospects for Turkey and the Ecumenical Patriarchate
The 4th Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom and Democracy in Athens brought to light the challenges faced by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the volatile situation in the Middle East. In a joint interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), Dr. Anthony Limberakis, the National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America, and Athanasios Martinos, the President of the Pammakaristos Brotherhood of Archons in Europe, discussed the current challenges of the Orthodox Church and the actions taken by the Archons.
During the interview, Limberakis emphasized the importance of protecting religious freedom and ensuring the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which serves as the spiritual center for over 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide. The conversion of Hagia Sophia and the Monastery of Chora into mosques has been a significant concern for the Archons, who have been actively condemning such actions.
Martinos highlighted Turkey’s recognition of the historic significance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its vital role in European prospects for the country. He stressed the importance of the Patriarch’s leadership and influence, especially during Patriarch Bartholomew’s tenure.
The conference also addressed Russia’s war on Ukraine, Moscow’s challenges to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the recent passing of Yulia Navalny. The Archons decided to award Yulia Navalny with the Athenagoras Human Rights Award in recognition of her courage and dedication to human rights and religious freedom.
Limberakis expressed concerns about the collaboration between the Kremlin and the Moscow Patriarchate, emphasizing the need to defend the canonical rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Martinos praised Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his actions in increasing the influence of the Patriarchate globally.
The Middle East’s instability was another key focus of the conference, with Martinos warning of potential conflicts and geopolitical tensions in the region. Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also addressed the conference, discussing the Russian threat and the ties between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Kremlin.
In conclusion, Martinos thanked the US and the Greek-American community for their continued support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He highlighted the achievements of Greek-Americans in various fields in the US and expressed pride in their contributions to American society.
Overall, the joint interview shed light on the importance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in European prospects for Turkey and the challenges faced by the Orthodox Church in the current geopolitical landscape. The Archons’ dedication to protecting religious freedom and human rights remains steadfast as they continue to advocate for the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Orthodox Christians worldwide.
