THE POLITICAL ASPECT OF THE CONCEPT OF ECUMENISM AND THE FENER GREEK PATRIARCHATE

The status of the Fener Greek Patriarchate (Greek Patriarchate of İstanbul) within the legal system of the Republic of Türkiye, as well as its practices that extend beyond the areas of authority recognized by Türkiye, have been addressed in various AVİM articles. Recently, in the context of press reports on the reopening of the Heybeliada Theological School, the Patriarchate’s use of the title "ecumenical" (meaning “universality”) has been a subject of ongoing debate over its compatibility with the administrative system and laws of Türkiye. In this context, it will be useful to briefly examine the concept of "ecumenical" from the perspective of canonical law and theological aspects, with reference to the decisions (canons) taken at Christian councils, and to explain the fundamental elements of the verbal agreement that emerged from the during the 1923 Lausanne Peace Treaty negotiations concerning the continuation of the Patriarchate's presence in Türkiye.