Erdogan on the reopening of the Halki School of Theology: We will do our part, I will discuss it with Bartholomew

Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised that Turkey volition bash its portion successful the reopening of the Halki Theological School during his gathering astatine the White House with US President Donald Trump.

“We volition bash our part,” the Turkish president said, among different things, referring to the contented of the Halki Theological School, stressing that helium volition sermon the contented with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

“I volition sermon the contented erstwhile I instrumentality with Bartholomew,” the Turkish president told reporters, among different things, according to APE-MPA, soon earlier the commencement of his gathering with the US president.

Donald Trump’s effect to this connection by his Turkish counterpart was: “The Greek Orthodox Church was present (at the White House, referring to Bartholomew’s caller visit) and they would truly similar to person immoderate help.”

The Holy Theological School of Halki, founded successful 1844 by Patriarch Germanos IV astatine the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, was the main theological acquisition instauration of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It was housed successful a chromatic gathering erected successful 1896, aft a devastating earthquake successful 1894, donated by Pavlos Skylitsis Stefanovic and designed by the designer Pericles Fotiadis.

The schoolhouse operated continuously until 1971, erstwhile the Turkish government, with a instrumentality prohibiting the cognition of backstage higher acquisition institutions, suspended its operation. Since then, the contented of its reopening has been the taxable of discussions and diplomatic unit from Greece, the United States and the European Union.

On 8 May 2025, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew announced the reopening of the schoolhouse for September 2026, pursuing the support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey’s acquisition curate has taken complaint of the preparations, portion restoration and upgrading enactment is underway.