The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, has affirmed that Turkey is not a hostile environment for Christians, ahead of celebrations marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea alongside Pope Leo XIV.
Speaking to AFP, the spiritual leader of 260 million Orthodox Christians worldwide emphasized that the pope’s visit should not be interpreted as taking sides in a “hostile environment.” He described Turkey as a country of internal diversity where interfaith dialogue is both possible and valuable.
Significance of the Pope’s Visit
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Ankara on Thursday and met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, highlighting Turkey’s strategic role as a crossroads of cultures and faiths. The pope described the country as enriched by its diversity, while Patriarch Bartholomew stressed the symbolic importance of the meeting for Christians globally, especially during times of conflict and division.
On Friday, Bartholomew will join Pope Leo in Iznik, around two hours from Istanbul, to commemorate the 325 AD Council of Nicaea, which produced the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of faith still central to Christianity.
Turkey’s Christian Community
Turkey’s population is approximately 86 million, yet its Christian community is very small, numbering about 100,000. Historical events, including the Armenian genocide, population exchanges, and early 20th-century pogroms, drastically reduced the Greek Orthodox population.
Despite these challenges, Patriarch Bartholomew described living in a Muslim-majority country as a “blessing in disguise,” noting that it fosters honest dialogue and engagement across faiths and cultures.
Advocacy and Global Christian Leadership
The patriarch spoke candidly about contemporary challenges, including the ongoing Ukraine conflict. After the Moscow Patriarchate severed ties with Constantinople in 2018 over recognition of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s independence, Bartholomew reaffirmed that dialogue remains open. He called on Russian religious leaders to oppose political violence and bloodshed and maintain ethical responsibility over political allegiances.
“This year, when the world is troubled and divided by conflict and antagonism, our meeting with Pope Leo XIV is especially significant,” he said. “It reminds our faithful that we are more powerful and credible when united in our witness and response to contemporary challenges.”
Promoting Interfaith Dialogue
Patriarch Bartholomew’s statements underscore the longstanding role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in bridging Christian and Muslim communities. By participating in celebrations with Pope Leo XIV, he highlights the potential for Christian unity, interfaith cooperation, and peaceful coexistence in a country with a rich religious heritage.
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