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The Development of the Ecclesiology and the Political Theology of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Autoceph

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The Development of the Ecclesiology and the Political Theology of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Autoceph The development of the Ecclesiology and the Political Theology of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church in response to Muslim Christian relations in the contemporary context of modern Greece and Turkey until 2014 Nikolaos-Nikodemos Anagnostopoulos Heythrop College, University of London PhD September 2015 1 Abstract Muslims and Christians have been in a challenging symbiotic existence for a long period in many parts of South-Eastern Europe and the Middle East (Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexandria). The relations of Christian and Muslim communities of each south-eastern European country are unique because of the diverse political, cultural, and socio-economic background of each nation, which however influences one another despite an often shared Ottoman background. The present study investigates the relations between Muslim and Christian communities in the contemporary context of modern Greece and Turkey, which have received many political, governmental, cultural, geographical, and religious influences leading them to the present relational shape. The thesis proposes that a distinct ecclesial development has taken place in the contemporary status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church in response to Muslim- Christian relations in modern Turkey and Greece, especially after the establishment of the Kingdom of Greece in 1832 and the Republic of Turkey in 1923. In addition, the thesis investigates the modern historical context of the States of Greece and Turkey especially as it relates to the minority question under the light of reciprocity and the International Treaties, Conventions, and the Declaration of Human Rights. Greece, where the prevailing religion is Eastern Orthodoxy, accommodates within its borders an official recognised Muslim minority based in Western Thrace as well as other Muslim populations located at major Greek urban centres and the Islands of the Aegean Sea. On the other hand, Turkey where the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is based, is a Muslim country, which accommodates within its borders an official recognised Greek Orthodox Minority, located principally in Istanbul, the Princes' Islands and the Islands of Imbros (Tk. Gökçeada) and Tenedos (Tk. Bozcaada) at the Turkish coast of the Aegean. After an extensive analysis of the associated literature regarding the historical background and the development of the Orthodox Ecclesiology and the political Theology of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church in relation to the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne. This Treaty regulates the issues of the Muslim and the Greek Orthodox minorities. Furthermore, semi-structured interviews were applied in order to gather information about the contemporary conditions of the Muslim and Christian communities in 2 Western Thrace and Istanbul. The study recruited religious and political individuals, who live in those two specific regions because of their thorough experience and familiarity with the relevant minority legislation and understanding of Islamic and Christian religious practices. The collected data have been analysed on a thematic analysis approach. The thesis concludes that religious practices and beliefs have an effect on the nature of the relationship, which develops between Muslims and Christians in contemporary Turkey and Greece as well as on the political and socio-cultural content alternations of minority religious groups. Finally, the present study proposes suggestions in order to overcome conflicts and difficulties that Muslim and Christian communities are still facing with the official Turkish and Greek States, as well as with the prevailing religions of these two countries. 3 MPhil/PhD Thesis Declaration Form NAME Revd Nikolaos-Nikodemos Anagnostopoulos TITLE OF THESIS “The development of the Ecclesiology and the Political Theology of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church in response to Muslim Christian relations in the contemporary context of modern Greece and Turkey until 2014” DEGREE FOR WHICH THESIS IS PRESENTED Theology PhD COPYRIGHT DECLARATION 1. I agree that the thesis presented by me for examination for the MPhil/PhD Degree of the University of London shall, if a degree is awarded, be deposited in the library or electronic institutional repository of Heythrop College and that, subject to the conditions set out below, my thesis will be made available for public reference, inter- library loan and copying. 2. I authorise the College authorities to retain a digital copy of the abstract of my thesis for inclusion in any published list of theses offered for higher degrees in British universities or in any supplement thereto, or for consultation in any central file of abstracts of such theses. 3. I authorise the College Library, or its designated agents, to hold a digital copy of my thesis for the purposes of electronic public access, inter-library loan or the supply of copies. 4 4. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. 5. I understand that in the event of my thesis not being approved by the examiners this declaration will become void. Date ............................ Signature ................................................................................ PLAGIARISM DECLARATION 1. I certify that the work presented in this thesis contains no unacknowledged direct copying from the work of another person or close paraphrasing of previous work (including my own which has been presented elsewhere) and that any reference to other sources has been properly acknowledged in the bibliography according to academic custom and practice. Date ............................ Signature ................................................................................ 5 Acknowledgments The successful completion of this thesis has been marked by the kindness of many individuals, who shared their experience and thoughts with me offering their time to attend interviews. I would like to name specifically Constantine Elder Metropolitan of Nicaea, Damaskinos Metropolitan of Didymoteicho, Panteleimon Metropolitan of Xanthi, Panteleimon Metropolitan of Komotini, Mehmet Emin Sinikoglou, Tzemali Metso, Mehmet Serif Damadoglou, Faruk Tut, Michael Stylianidis, George Petridis and Mustafa Farsakoğlou. I would also like to express my gratitude to my supervisor Dr Anthony O’Mahony; an expert scholar on Muslim-Christian relations, who has been greatly supporting me with his knowledge, experience and patient in the shaping of my thesis. Anthony’s unfailing support and belief in me guided me and helped me to improve my critical academic thinking and reflection. Deepest regards are due to several Church Organisations and Charitable Trusts for their financial support during the period of my research studies, which I would like to refer to in particular: The Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church, the Michael Prior Memorial Education Fund Foundation, the Nicaean Ecumenical Trust and the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius. Undoubtedly, without the endless unconditional love, support, and blessing of my Spiritual mentor, I would not have been able to accomplish my research studies. I cannot express in only few words the feelings that conquer my soul when I refer to my spiritual father, His Eminence Iakovos, Metropolitan of Princes’ Islands. Having his own permission and blessing, I have been able to remain in Great Britain in order to complete my studies. Finally, I would like to thank Mr Nikolaos Souvlakis for his help, knowledge, and assistance on qualitative research methods. In addition, during this difficult journey of my studies, Nikolaos played an instrumental role in my life. Sometimes, I was discouraged and I was 6 thinking to give up. Those moments Nikolaos was the person, who encouraged me, gave me psychological support, and helped me to be positive and energetic again in order to continue this challenging but pleasant journey. 7 Dedicated to His All Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch for His indefatigable efforts in promoting the aspects of religious freedom and human rights in the light of the development of Muslim-Christian relations in contemporary society. 8 Contents Chapter 1 - Introduction..........................................................................................................14 Chapter 2 - The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople 2.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................23 2.1.2 The Byzantine period (324-1453)......................................................................39 2.1.3 Foundation of the Church of Constantinople.....................................................40 2.1.4 Church-State relations.......................................................................................41 2.1.5 The Patriarch......................................................................................................46 2.1.6 Hierarchy and Synodical Institution..................................................................47 2.1.7 Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction..................................................................................49 2.1.8 Missions.............................................................................................................49 2.1.9 Doctrinal and
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