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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 seminary was housed ==History==Orthodox Church activities on the site island of Halki are traced back to the Byzantine period when the ruined [[Monastery of the Holy Trinitywas founded on the island. A date for the founding of the monastery is not known although the establishment of the [[monastery]], which was founded by has been associated with [[Photius the Great|Photius I]], [[Patriarch of Constantinople]] (r. 858–861 and 878–886). In 1844, Patriarch [[Germanos IV]] converted Subsequently the ruined monastery fell into a school of theology, which was inaugurated on September 23, 1844. All the buildings except for the chapel were destroyed by an earthquake in June 1894, but were rebuilt by architect Periklis Fotiadis and inaugurated in October 1896. Major renovation took place in ruin during the 1950sTurkish period.

Numerous Orthodox scholars, theologians, priests, bishops, and patriarchs graduated from Halki, including The school of theology was established on the grounds of the old monastery after Patriarch [[Bartholomew I (Archontonis) of Constantinople|Bartholomew IGermanos IV]] and his immediate predecessorsvisited the island in 1842. Then, Patriarchs [[Demetrius I|Demetrius]], [[Athenagoras]]with the approval of the Turkish authorities, the operation of Holy Trinity monastery and the school of theology began operation on [[Maximus VOctober 1]]. Many patriarchs, bishops, and former teachers of 1844 with a special ceremony that marked the school are buried on the groundsoccasion.

The An earthquake in June 1894 destroyed all the buildings of the monastery and theological facilities include school except for the [[Chapel chapel]]. This stopped operation of the Holy Trinity]], sports and recreational institutionsschool. The present day facilities, dormitorieshowever, an infirmarywere built, a hospice, officeswith financing by Pavlos Skilitsis Stefanovick, by architect Periklis Fotiadis and operation of the school's library with its historic collection of books, journals, and manuscriptsmonastery was re-inaugurated in October 1896. The students at Halki included not only a large number Major renovation of native born Greeks, but Orthodox Christians from around the worldfacilities also took place in the 1950s, giving including the school an international charactermonastery [[church]].

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.