"The Patriarchate is allegedly paying Turkish citizens to convert to Christianity"

Türkiye
Wed, 15 Jan 2025 9:29 GMT
It has been alleged that the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate is financially incentivizing Muslim Turkish citizens to convert to Christianity, enrolling their children in Greek schools as a result.
"The Patriarchate is allegedly paying Turkish citizens to convert to Christianity"

It has been alleged that the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate is financially incentivizing Muslim Turkish citizens to convert to Christianity, enrolling their children in Greek schools as a result.

In a video shared on social media, Retired Admiral Cihat Yaycı claimed that the Patriarchate is baptizing Muslim citizens of Gökçeada (Imbros) in exchange for money and scholarships.

According to a report by Aydınlık newspaper, Yaycı stated that these individuals, after being baptized, appeal to the courts to declare themselves Greek Orthodox and subsequently enroll their children in Greek minority schools, leading to an increase in the number of such schools on the island.

Yaycı's Statement:
"While Türkiye is preoccupied with other matters—such as developments in Syria, dealing with the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, and addressing Israel's actions—Greece continues to play its games within Türkiye through the Patriarchate. According to information directly relayed from Gökçeada, Turkish citizens are being encouraged by the Patriarchate to convert to Christianity in exchange for money. They are baptized, receive baptism certificates, and go to court declaring they feel Greek. The courts then approve the enrollment of their children in Greek minority schools."

Filling Schools with Students:
Yaycı further explained:

"Greek minority schools require students to come from minority backgrounds, meaning their parents must belong to the Greek Orthodox community. These parents go to court, present their baptism certificates, and declare their conversion to Christianity. As a result, their children are enrolled in these schools. In the meantime, we've noticed the renovation and establishment of several Greek schools. Despite the lack of students initially, they seem to have found a way by recruiting individuals willing to sell themselves for money."

The claims have sparked reactions, with critics questioning the legitimacy of these accusations and their implications for interfaith relations in Türkiye.

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