www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Hagia Sophia...someday

I fully support the creation of an independent state, like the Vatican, with Hagia Sophia as the centerpoint, just like St. Peter's Basilica. Give all the Christians of the world this opportunity to restore this Holy place to its rightful place!

In Christ, Michael

Dear Earl you said:

"There is a story that during World War I, the Western Allies offered to give Constantinople to the Russians at the end of the war. Of course, Lenin and his ilk intervened and this never happened."

I say:

I have never heard that story. Actually it was the Western powers that kept Istanbul, (Constantinople) in Turkish hands. England did not want Russia in control of the Bosporus.

Until the nineteen twenties Istanbul was predominantly Greek. (The Byzantines you know). When the Greek army conquered and took control of Ismir (Smyrna) and the coast of Asia Minor about the end of the First World War, they proceeded towards the great city. They were stopped by the English, French and Italians.

There had been many times that Istanbul might have become either Greek or Russian. I know that Winston Churchill wanted to end the First World War by conquering the city and attacking the Central powers from the rear. The English fleet sat outside the city waiting for the weather to change. Well it finally did... the day after the fleet was called home.

Christianity lost the city, and Winston Churchill lost the English Admiralty. He was not to emerge again until after Neville Chamberlains triumphant return from Germany and his declaration that "we will have peace" proved to be false.

Today the only way that Aghia Sophia can become a church is if the Turks become Christian. The Christian Greek majority in the city was kicked out during the pogroms of the 1950's and 1960's, and the Greek majority in Ismir and the coastal cities of Asia Minor were forced to leave in 1923.

Out of fear of being massacred the Greek population ran to the port of Izmir hoping that the English, French and Italian ships sitting in the harbor would save them. A fire broke out on the pier and some people swam to the ships. They were pushed back into the sea.

I believe only a Japanese and American ship came to their rescue...that is if we don't consider the story of the American teacher that saved the day by having himself declared a Greek admiral and sailed the Greek ships without a flag. He saved tens of thousands.

Now the problem is if Turkey does not enter the E.U. she will turn towards the other Muslim nations such as Iran. So America is pushing for her entrance. Greece is also pushing for her membership because Turkey exerts pressure by having her jets flying over Greek air space. They leave only when confronted by Greek jets.

Can one imagine a nation pressuring another nation for entrance into the EU? Turkey even managed to keep the EU constitution from naming Christianity as one of it's foundations.

But then again if Turkey didn't act like Turkey, there would be no way that the Greeks would allow her to enter. Turkey plays her politics well, but she does pose a threat to the EU. Would she as a Muslim nation really keep her borders closed to other Muslims wanting entry into Europe?

Then again, as Christians aren't we supposed to do everything possible to make these people see the enlightenment of Christ? In that case shouldn't we want Turkey to become a member?

Well in order for someone to be the Patriarch of Constantinople in Turkey they must be a Turkish citizen. After Bartolomew there is no one that fits the bill. Again Turkey has played her hand well.

Now if she enters the EU Turkey would have to allow people other than Turks to enter her borders. But can we trust Turkey to comply?

These are the questions facing Europe and that part of the world.

In Christ,

Zenovia