ORDER OF SAINT ANDREW THE APOSTLE

Archons News

Review the Latest News and Developments

The Huffington Post reports on 'Hagia Sophia Mosque? Turkish Leaders Call For Conversion Of Istanbul Landmark, Alarming Religious Minorities'
12/10/2013
In this ancient city, there are few sights more iconic than the dome of the Hagia Sophia, towering over the old city for more than 1,400 years. Full Text

Pope Benedict's message to Ecumenical Patriarch on the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle
12/9/2013
(Vatican Radio) Pope Franics has sent a Message to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His Holiness, Bartholomew I, to mark the feast of the Patron of the Church at Constantinople, St. Andrew the Apostle. Common concern for the plight of Christians in many parts of the world, and especially in the Middle East, was a central focus of the Holy Father's reflections. Below, please find the official English text of the Message. Full Text

Media Advisory: Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to hold press conference at the conclusion of the 2nd International Conference on Religious Freedom
12/5/2013
The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in cooperation with the Patriarchal Liaison Office to the European Union and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany will hold a press conference on December 5, 2013 at 5:00pm at the Hotel Adlon in Berlin, Germany. Full Text

International Conference calls on Turkey to address Religious Freedom and Human Rights Issues
12/5/2013
The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in cooperation with the Patriarchal Liaison Office to the European Union and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, hosted its 2nd Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom December 4-5, 2013 at the historic Adlon Hotel in Berlin, Germany. Taking place in the shadow of the Brandenburg Gate, the theme of the Conference was, "Tearing Down Walls: Achieving Religious Equality in Turkey." Full Text

Professor Ilber Ortayli, Fatma Benli and Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa to speak at the 2nd Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom
11/26/2013
The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in cooperation with the Patriarchal Liaison Office to the European Union and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, has announced that Professor Ilber Ortayli, Fatma Benli and His Eminence, Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa will be among the featured speakers and panelists at the 2nd Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom set to take place at the Adlon Hotel in Berlin, Germany on December 4-5, 2013. Full Text

The Washington Post reports on 'In Turkey, can Islam and democracy coexist?'
11/23/2013
For over a thousand years, Istanbul (then Constantinople or New Rome) was the capital of the Christian Roman Empire. For nearly 600 years, it was the capital of the Islamic Ottoman Empire. Today it remains on the cusp of continents and may well hold the key to stability in the Middle East. Full Text

The 2nd Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom in Turkey Set to Take Place in Berlin, Germany
11/22/2013
The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in cooperation with the Patriarchal Liaison Office to the European Union and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany will host the 2nd Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom December 4-5, 2013 at the historic Adlon Hotel in Berlin, Germany. Taking place in the shadow of the Brandenburg Gate, the theme of the Conference is "Tearing Down Walls: Achieving Religious Equality in Turkey." Full Text

Saint Sophia Under Siege...
11/21/2013
Only days out from the Second Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom in Berlin, and we see just how close the dangers are to the Mother Church of Constantinople. As reported in Hurriyet Daily News today, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç spoke unabashedly of his hope to see Istanbul’s “Hagia Sophia Museum” to be converted into a mosque. He furthered this provocation by in fact calling it the “Hagia Sophia Mosque” as he spoke to reporters. Brother Archons! If there was ever a time that we need to step up to our responsibilities as Defenders of the Faith, it is now. Full Text

Archon Congressman Bilirakis to hold Religious Freedom briefing on Capitol Hill
11/14/2013
Archon Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis will host a Hellenic Caucus briefing on "The Importance of the Halki Seminary for International Religious Freedom" November 20 in Rayburn 2325. This event will highlight the significance of the Halki Seminary to the Orthodox Christian faith and the plight of religious freedom in the region. Full Text

The Washington Post reports on 'In Turkey, religious minorities still struggle for equality'
11/14/2013
When people think of Turkey, they think of a westernized Islamic democracy where the rights of all of its citizens are respected, including religious minorities. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that Turkey treats members of religious minority communities – including Alevi Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, Syriacs, Jews and Orthodox Christians – as second-class citizens. Full Text