The Hellenic Wire

Category: Religious Freedom

  • The Government of Egypt has ordered the closing of Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, the oldest continuously-inhabited Christian monastery in the world, and announced it will confiscate its property and evict the resident monks, as reported by @GreekReporter.

    The Egyptian President and Foreign Ministry have “categorically denied” any change in the status of the Monastery of Saint Katherine, reaffirming full commitment to maintaining the “unique and sacred religious status” of the site, as seen in @eKathimerini.

    —

  • Greek Orthodox Archbishop @Elpidophoros of America has been appointed to the Advisory Board of Religious Leaders for President Donald J. Trump’s newly established Religious Liberty Commission, @Orthodox_Times reports.

    —

    ,

  • Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will make a visit to the United States from September 18 to 25, 2025, as reported by the @NationalHerald.

    —

  • Greek Orthodox Archbishop @Elpidophoros of America is facing criticism from nationalist circles in Turkey, who are calling for the revocation of his Turkish passport following his public statements referring to the Patriarch as “Ecumenical,” as reported by the @Orthodox_Times.

    —

    ,

  • Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), stated that “Türkiye’s relationship with Israel has deteriorated significantly under President @RTErdogan, who weaponizes anti-semitism and anti-Israel sentiment to advance his domestic policy interests.”

    Sen. Rosen stated that “a more robust Turkish presence in Syria would pose significant challenges for Israel and for our Kurdish allies, and must be addressed.”

    —

    , , ,

  • Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), Chairman of @SenateForeign, said Türkiye has “troubling ties to Russia and Hamas,” a “difficult track record on human rights,” and has “repressed dissent both in and outside of its borders.”

    Sen. Risch said he used the term “ally” “cautiously” when referring to Türkiye, stating “they are doing some things that are just awful.”

    —

    , ,

  • The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (@USCIRF) included Türkiye on the list of countries recommended for the U.S. @StateDept’s Special Watch List in its 2025 Annual Report.

    @USCIRF recommends that the U.S. government include Türkiye on the Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom pursuant to the International Religious Freedom Act.

    @USCIRF recommends that the U.S. government raise with the Turkish government restrictions on clerical institutions including the Theological School of Halki, stressing full compliance with European Court of Human Rights rulings on freedom of religion or belief.

    @USCIRF found that Türkiye delayed and obstructed residency permits for foreign clergy, which further constrained the Eastern Orthodox Church, who has been unable to domestically train clergy since 1971.

    —

    , ,

  • Introducing the Hellenic Wire: an automated stream of news developments pertaining to #Greece, #Cyprus, #Turkiye, and the #EastMed.

    Reviewed by experts. Powered by @TheAHIinDC.

    —

    , , , , , ,