Halki seminary

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The Halki seminary was established on Oct 1, 1844 in Halki (Turkish: Heybeliada), the second largest of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara. It was the main school of theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church's Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople until its closure by the Turkish authorities in 1971.

[edit] History

The seminary was housed on the site of the ruined Monastery of the Holy Trinity, which was founded by Photius I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (858–861 and 878–886). In 1844, Patriarch Germanos IV converted the ruined monastery into a school of theology, which was inaugurated on September 23, 1844. All the buildings except for the chapel were destroyed by an earthquake in June 1894, but were rebuilt by architect Periklis Fotiadis and inaugurated in October 1896. Major renovation took place in the 1950s.

Numerous Eastern Orthodox scholars, theologians, priests, bishops, and patriarchs graduated from Halki, including Patriarch Bartholomew I. Many patriarchs, bishops, and former teachers of the school are buried on the grounds.

The facilities include the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, sports and recreational institutions, dormitories, an infirmary, a hospice, offices, and the school's library with its historic collection of books, journals, and manuscripts. The library contains over 120,000 books.

The students at Halki included not only a large number of native born Greeks, but Eastern Orthodox Christians from around the world, giving the school an international character.

When established in 1844, the school had seven grades, four high school level and three higher level (theological grades). In 1899, the high school division was dissolved and the school functioned as an academy with five grades. In 1923 (establishment of Republic of Turkey), the seven grade system was restored (4 high school + 3 higher level). In 1951, it was changed to 3 high school + 4 higher level.

[edit] Enforced closure

In 1971, parts of the Private University Law were ruled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of Turkey; subsequently all private institutions of higher education either became part of the state universities or closed down. Halki's Board of Trustees refused to have it become part of the University of Istanbul.^{[citation needed]} Consequently,the seminary section of the Halki school was closed down. The high school section is still open, but no longer has students.^{[citation needed]}

In 1998, Halki's board of trustees were ordered to disband "until international criticism of Ankara's decision persuaded the Turkish authorities to reverse their order".

[edit] Campaign to reopen the seminary

The Theological School of Halki at the top of the Hill of Hope.

Halki seminary has received international attention in recent years. U.S. President Bill Clinton visited Halki on his visit to Turkey in 1999 and urged Turkish President Süleyman Demirel to allow the reopening of the school. In October 1998, both houses of the United States Congress passed resolutions that supported the reopening of Halki. The European Union has also raised the issue as part of its negotiations over Turkish accession to the EU. However, the school remains closed, and there is strong opposition to reopening it from Turkey's nationalist parties, particularly the secular Republican People's Party.

In a speech before the Turkish Parliament on April 6, 2009, United States President Barack Obama re-affirmed the need for Turkey to allow the re-opening of Halki Seminary:

"Freedom of religion and expression lead to a strong and vibrant civil society that only strengthens the state, which is why steps like reopening the Halki Seminary will send such an important signal inside Turkey and beyond. An enduring commitment to the rule of law is the only way to achieve the security that comes from justice for all people."