In response to ugly demonstrations by ultra nationalist Turks known as the Grey Wolves that took place at the Ecumenical Patriarchate last Thursday, October 27th, the National Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis issued formal letters of protest and condemnation to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State and the Turkish Ambassador to the United States. Dr. Limberakis also called the US Embassy in Ankara to express the outrage of the Order of St. Andrew regarding these hateful demonstrations and asked the staff to convey these sentiments to the new U.S. Ambassador-Designate Ross Wilson.

These demonstrators called for the eviction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from Turkey and chanted slogans such as “one night we’ll come to the Phanar,” “away Patriarch,” “Patriarch don’t test our patience,” “take the Patriarchate and go to Greece,” and the like. Before Istanbul police intervened, the angry demonstrators reached the entrance to the Patriarchal compound and placed a black wreath in front of the gate.

Throughout the year and at various locations in Turkey this radical group comprised of intolerant, prejudiced and christianophobic Turks maliciously protests the very presence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a Christian institution that was established 17 centuries ago, before the existence of the country of Turkey.