16,951
edits
Changes
Reorganized with additional information
The '''Holy Theological School of Halki''' (also Chalki) was, until its closure by the Turkish authorities in 1971, the main school of theology and primary [[seminary]] of the [[Patriarchate of Constantinople]]. It was based located on Halki, one of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara.
The Holy Theological School of Halki was established to meet the educational needs of the Patriarchate of Constantinople as well as of the Orthodox Church in general. Since its establishment in 1844, the school has passed through a number of organizations. Initially, between 1844 and 1899 the school operated with four high school grades and three theological grades. During the period of 1899 and 1923 the high school grades were discontinued and the school functioned as an Academy of five grades. Between 1923 and 1951 the school reactivated the high school grades as originally established in 1844. In 1951 the educational program was again modified to consisted of three high school grades and four theological grades. This arrangement continued until 1971, when the seminary school was closed by after passage of a Turkish law that forbids private universities from functioning. In 1998, Halki's board prohibited operation of trustees were ordered to disband until international criticism privately owned schools of Ankara's decision persuaded higher education in Turkey. It has remained close since although the Turkish authorities to reverse their orderfacilities have been visited and used by Orthodox friends and faithful.
==Legacy==The theological facilities include the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, sports and recreational institutions, dormitories, an infirmary, a hospice, offices, and the school's library with its historic collection of books, journals, and manuscripts. The students at Halki included not only a large number of native born Greeks, but Orthodox Christians from around the world, which gave the school an international character. Numerous Orthodox scholars, theologians, priests, bishops, and patriarchs graduated from Halki, including the current Patriarch [[Bartholomew I (Archontonis) of Constantinople|Bartholomew I]] and his immediate predecessors, Patriarchs [[Demetrius I|Demetrius]], [[Athenagoras]], and [[Maximus V]]. Many [[patriarch]]s, [[bishop]]s, and former teachers of the school are buried on the grounds. ==Future==In 1971, the seminary was closed by a Turkish law that forbids private universities from functioning in Turkey. In 1998, the Turkish government ordered the disbandment of the Halki board of trustees, until international criticism of Ankara's decision persuaded the Turkish authorities to reverse their order. Halki has received international attention in recent years. In October 1998, both houses of the United States Congress passed resolutions that supported the reopening of Halki. The American President Bill Clinton visited Halki on during his visit to Turkey in 1999 and urged Turkish President Suleyman Demirel to allow the reopening of the school. In October 1998, both houses of the United States Congress passed resolutions that supported the reopening of Halki. The European Union has also raised the issue as part of its negotiations over Turkish accession to the EU.
The Patriarchate has hoped that promises from the Turkish government to allow the seminary to reopen would be enacted.