Take Action!

Urge your Member of Congress to support H.Res. 373
 

On Tuesday, November 27 2007, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg began to hear the first case ever brought before a European court filed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate against Turkey, seeking redress for properties confiscated by the Turkish government, namely the Patriarchal orphanage on the island of Pringipos.  

In an effort to dry out the wellspring of the Orthodox faith, Turkey continues to defend its appropriation of church lands by denying legal status for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, even while the most adamant supporters of Turkish interests in the U.S. Congress have conceded that Turkey should cease its repressive policies imposed on the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Co-Chair of the Turkey Caucus Congressman Robert Wexler wrote to President Bush declaring that Turkey should "guarantee unequivocally religious freedom to the spiritual head of the second largest Christian Church in the world."

 

ΔΙΑΒΑΣΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΕΔΩ ΑΝΑΛΥΤΙΚΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΙΔΗΣΗ

We are at a turning point. If Turkey’s unjust policies continue to go unaddressed, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which has survived since its establishment by the Apostle Andrew nearly two thousand years ago, faces a very real threat of disappearance in the foreseeable future- unless Turkey is convinced that it is in its interest to accept the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a treasure rather than a threat. 

While the case in the European Court of Human Rights proceeds, we here in the United States can do our part in defense of religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

In our own Congress, there is a Congressional resolution gaining momentum with bi-partisan support that urges Turkey to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Followers of the Orthodox faith, Hellenes, Philhellenes, human rights activists, and concerned citizens across the country are speaking out, writing letters, making phone calls, and sending emails to their Congressional Representatives asking them to support this critical piece of legislation.

We can provide the critical mass to make all the difference. Let's stand united and act now to defend our religious freedoms and the integrity of our heritage and faith for the coming generations.

Please take a few minutes to send your Member of Congress a message urging them to support the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Please urge your Representative to support H.Res. 373 and please ask your friends and family to do the same.