Is the Heybeliada Seminary Reopening?

Bartholomew expressed optimism, stating, "I am very confident that we will soon achieve our goal of reopening our school. The directive has come from the top, from President Tayyip Erdoğan. We are now at the threshold of reopening."

In his interview with the Athens News Agency, Bartholomew revealed details of the discussions between the Greek Patriarchate and Türkiye’s Ministry of Education regarding the seminary’s reactivation. According to Bartholomew, President Erdoğan has instructed the Ministry of Education to facilitate the reopening of the seminary.

The Athens News Agency reported that Türkiye is taking a positive stance on the issue, suggesting that Türkiye might demand concessions related to the minority in Western Thrace in exchange for the seminary's reopening.

Restoration work at the Halki Seminary, ongoing for some time, has fueled hopes for its reopening. According to a report by Yorgo Kırbaki from Hürriyet, Bartholomew mentioned during his Thessaloniki visit that the Ministry of Education, under Minister Yusuf Tekin, is involved in the process. Tekin has visited the school to inspect the restoration progress. A delegation from the Patriarchate is expected to visit Ankara next week to discuss the remaining details, and Bartholomew is optimistic about the outcome.

Minister Yusuf Tekin’s Statement

Minister of Education Yusuf Tekin visited the Halki Seminary on May 28, 2024, stating that significant efforts are being made to reopen the school. Tekin noted, "We are working to ensure the school can resume its role as a theological seminary."

Tekin further commented on CNN Türk last Saturday, saying, "The reopening of the seminary is a political decision. That decision lies with our President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If I am instructed to reopen it, we have already prepared the technical groundwork and completed the necessary reports."

Heybeliada Seminary’s Closure in 1971

The Seminary was established in 1844 to train Orthodox Christian clergy. In 1971, Türkiye’s Constitutional Court ruled that private higher education institutions, including the seminary, must be affiliated with a state university. The Patriarchate refused this condition, resulting in the seminary’s closure. Between 1844 and 1971, the seminary was one of the most important theological schools for the Orthodox world, producing nearly 1,000 graduates, including 12 patriarchs, such as Bartholomew himself.

Over the years, the United States and the European Union have repeatedly called for the reopening of the seminary.