Spyridon protests attacks on Patriarchate
in letter to Ciller, Erbakan
New York, 14/09/1996 (ANA)
In letters addressed to the prime minister and the foreign minister of Turkey, Archbishop Spyridon of America expresses profound concern over recent demonstrations against the Ecumenical Patriarchate by "various elements appearing to serve political and religious expediencies", and that the Church appeared to be targeted for events which have nothing to do with it.
Archbishop Spyridon said reference to the hanging of Patriarch Grigorios V in 1821 and threats against the life of Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos by the Turkish magazine "Middle East" was a cause for even greater concern for the entire Orthodox world.
He referred to the peaceloving and spiritual role played by the Ecumenical Patriarchate for centuries for the benefit of millions of Orthodox believers all over the world, and stressed the need for Turkish authorities to intervene to prevent unjustified incidents.
[ Athens News Agency - www.ana.gr - September 14, 1996 ]