Lraper Church Bulletin 05/08/2005
Contact: Deacon Vagharshag Seropyan
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
T: +90 (212) 517-0970, 517-0971
F: +90 (212) 516-4833, 458-1365
lraper@lraper.org
WORRISOME OPENING FOR THE GREEK ORTHODOX SUMMER CAMP
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On Friday morning, 29 July 2005, His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian
Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey traveled to the Kinali Island
Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Monastery, accompanied by Father
Drtad Uzunyan. They joined a liturgy presided over by the Greek
Orthodox Patriarch, His All Holiness Bartholomeos I on the occasion
of the opening of the children’s camp, which is held each summer in
the monastery. Since Fridays are the visiting day for the church in
the monastery, many Greek, Armenian, and Syriac Orthodox islanders
also attended the services. In spite of these special services for
the opening of the children’s camp, the number of children did not
exceed 15.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch’s Press Statement
Following the liturgy Patriarch Bartholomeos took coffee in the
monastery and answered members of the press as follows in regard to
the reason for this distress.
“We are very uncomfortable and very concerned. We are upset that we
have had to open our children’s camp, which has been active since
1938, both late and without children. Because it has been left so
late, most of the children have had to go to their villages with
their families. Now we have to gather them together one by one. It
will be very difficult, but we will try to do it and try to continue
this tradition.
“The General Directorate of Foundations demanded from us a letter of
application so that we could borrow this camp from them for the summer
months. How can there be such a thing? Why should we need permission
from them to use our own property? This monastery was founded by
our ancestors and is ours. How can they control this monastery as
if there were no Greek community here? We have no legal personality,
they say. Then let them give it to us. What sort of mentality is this?
“It’s exactly because of this type of unacceptable practice that we
have to apply to the European Court of Human Rights. The matter of
the orphanage on Buyuk Island is similar. Of course we have applied
to the ECHR. And from now on we will always do so in the face of
every injustice.”
The Speech of Kezban Hatemi, Lawyer
Advocate Kezban Hatemi of the Greek Patriarchate’s legal staff spoke
as follows.
“It is legally wrong to take over foundations of minorities and give
them “confiscated foundation” status. Such a practice would also be
wrong in the case of Muslim foundations. There is a community. The
community is to decide for itself concerning its properties and their
uses. As for the religious leader of the community, he has a de facto
legal personality.
“The comments of Minister of State Mehmet Ali Sahin concerning the
foundations of minorities are highly unfortunate. He is a lawyer,
but the legal community has difficulty comprehending his words.”
His Beatitude Patriarch Mesrob’s Thoughts
His Beatitude the Patriarch gave the following answer to members of
the press concerning his thoughts on this worrisome matter.
“We know from the texts that the monastery was first founded on
this hilltop on Kinali Island in the 6th century. We have to take an
interest in this monastery, as we do in our other historical sites,
and restore it. The uproar we have lived through today in this
monastery, on the islands that are the pearls of our city, is not at
all pleasant. It is wrong, and it is shameful.
“What is required in order to perpetuate the existence of minority
Turkish or other Islamic groups in European countries? Of course,
schools and teachers are needed to transmit the languages and cultures
to the new generations; places of worship and religious officials
are needed to keep alive the religions, customs, and traditions; and
third, there is a need for associations and foundations to create the
resources that support the first two institutions. The needs of Greek,
Armenian, Jewish, Syriac, and Chaldean Turkish citizens living in
Turkey are no different. However, in all three areas it is a shame
that there are still worries and problems. This isn’t right.
“It’s interesting that this year is the anniversary of the Lausanne
Treaty. Street marches were organized for this occasion in Lausanne.
Visits to Ataturk’s mausoleum were made to create a festive
atmosphere. The Lausanne Treaty was signed in 1923. If the Lausanne
Treaty is truly perceived as a founding document of the Turkish
Republic, then here’s what I don’t understand: why is this treaty
not enforced? Articles 37 to 43 of the Lausanne Treaty deal with
minorities. Can we say that in the last 82 years these articles have
been put into effect? Please, put them literally into effect. If they
were applied, then there would be no need for new laws to be passed.”
The Luncheon
A luncheon was held in the dining hall of the monastery on the occasion
of this troublesome and eventful opening of the children’s camp. Both a
woman administrator of the camp and His Eminence Metropolitan Anthimos
of Alexandroupolis each spoke.
Following the meal, Patriarch Bartholomeos and Patriarch Mesrob visited
the room of the only sister in the monastery, who is 100 years old,
had coffee, and then took leave of the monastery.
Patriarch Bartholomeos left for the Holy Trinity Monastery on Heybeli
Island, while Patriarch Mesrob traveled by sea bus to Istanbul and
returned to Kumkapi.
Our readers can follow these links to more news from some newspapers
about the difficult opening of the Greek Orthodox children’s camp on
Kinali Island:
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