Patriarch Bartholomew Feels "Crucified"

(CBS)  Would it surprise you to learn that one of the world's most important Christian leaders, second only to the pope, lives in a country where 99 percent of the population is Muslim? His name is Bartholomew, and he is the patriarch of 300 million Orthodox Christians. He lives in Istanbul, Turkey, the latest in a line of patriarchs who have resided there since before there was a Turkey, since the centuries following the death of Jesus Christ.

That's when Istanbul was called Constantinople and was the most important city in the Christian world.

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But times change, and in modern Muslim Turkey the patriarch doesn't feel very welcome. Turkish authorities have seized Christian properties and closed Christian churches, monasteries and schools. His parishioners are afraid that the authorities want to force Bartholomew and his church - the oldest of all Christian churches - out of Turkey.

His official title is impressive: "His All Holiness, Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch."

"Ecumenical" means "universal," and worldwide, 300 million Orthodox Christians look to him for spiritual guidance.

60 Minutes correspondent Bob Simon first met him in Istanbul. It was Easter, and worshipers from throughout the Orthodox Christian world had come to celebrate Christ's resurrection on the holiest day of their calendar with the man who they see as their pope.

"My first question is this. How should I refer to you? As your all holiness? As patriarch? As ecumenical patriarch? What is the proper way to address you?" Simon asked the patriarch.

"The official title is 'your all holiness,'" he replied, laughing. "But for me, Bartholomew is enough."

For him perhaps, but not for us. And while his all holiness may occupy the Ecumenical throne, his quarters are a far cry from the Vatican.

His office is cramped and relatively austere, his desk littered with papers. No Michelangelos there. All that is left of a Christian empire once ruled from Istanbul is a complex of nine buildings, tightly squeezed onto less than an acre of land.

"Now, is this the Vatican of your church?" Simon asked.

"Well, our headquarters," the patriarch replied.

It's called the Phanar, and it has been the heart of Orthodox Christianity since 1599.

His all holiness promotes an informal atmosphere there: there's none of the ritual that surrounds the pope in Rome. And there is no cathedral - only a modest church. The neighborhood that surrounds it used to be Greek and Christian but today is predominantly Muslim. The Phanar is so small, our tour didn't take long.

It had just ended when a Turkish policeman informed the patriarch that there was a threat on his life. It turned out to be nothing, but church officials say previous threats have been serious enough that the Phanar is surrounded by barbed wire and cameras and the patriarch has 24-hour protection.

"I think a lot of people would want to know, your all holiness, why the leader of so many millions of Orthodox Christians in the world lives in a country that is 99 percent Muslim?" Simon asked.

"Because we are here before this country becomes a Muslim country, much earlier. Since ever. Since the very beginning," the patriarch explained.

Asked since the beginning of what, Patriarch Bartholomew said, "Of the foundation of our church, of the Church of Constantinople."

And in the beginning Istanbul was called Constantinople, the ancient city on the Bosporus where east meets west. The city's skyline is dominated by minarets; at Friday prayers, the mosques are teeming.

But the city's richest and most renowned Christian churches are museums today, Meccas for tourists, not for worshipers. There's the Chora Church, with its fresco of Jesus whose eyes seem to go right through you, and he Hagia Sophia, the first great church in Christendom and an architectural wonder built 1,000 years before Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, and for centuries the most important church in the Christian world.

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[Hayouhi]

Bob Simon and 60 Minutes, get your facts straight. The oldest Christian Church in the world is the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Armenians celebrated 1700 years of Christianity almost a decade ago in 2001. While the official date of the founding of the Church has long been 301, it might actually have been founded in 283 or 287. No matter how you slice it, it's older than the Gk. O. Church.

[onipirus]

thats true very much so i am comletely agree and support the information given .if i humbly add my perspective before king james version at 1600 there was orthodox scripture as central point before vatican .i couldnt study armenian scripture due to lack of publication but story portreyed in turkey basically reflects how vatican policies incoorperating for world religion with turkish goverment which promote catholic missionaries (jesuit or jesuit led) just to revoke submission to jesus as many sect of muslim fallowing the same idea not feels need to sumbit their own prophet with perverted theology and doctrin while armenian and orthodox libraries waiting for spreading the word and works.sharing and respecting the truth mentioned at comment i hope to see true church and true faith govern the humanity .please check larry kind show for bill graham and joel osteen to hear from their mouth that submission to christ or isa is not required anymore...well i hope armenian and orthodox church theology considered to study by both islamic and catholic schoolars theologcians for salvation

[conquerurfear]

Funny how Erdogan was lecturing Israels President Simon Peres of the virtues of human rights...Turkey of all Countries...

[odtulu]

I am no advocate of Erdogan and I do not even like him but I am amazed one more time how you can even compare the Israel's violation of human rights and the living conditions Orthodox Christians in Turkey. I believe that Bartholomew is a good man and he does not want trouble, he just declares his expectations from the government. But Bob Simon is obviously trying to provoke the American society, most of which is totally unaware of the political events behind their borders by asking irrelevant and biased question. I am not even sure that this ignorant guy knew where Turkey is located or what 'Ecumenical Patriarch' means before stepping in Turkey. I do not say that Turkey is a great example of securing minority rights or human rights in general, but comparing this situation with what Israel have been doing is just ridiculous. As an M.A. candidate in diplomacy and international relations in the U.S., I am very disappointed by the lack of intellectuality of Bob Simon and also by the guy who accused me of torturing (!) Orthodox Christians in Turkey after watching this show, and more disappointing thing is he said that he is a lawyer in the U.S.

[onipirus]

it is wonderful your mentioning political science/law education while comparing the living conditions of both faith fallowers in difrent countries as a base for perception related with the act of turkish goverment.based on your educational background i humbly suggest to consider unified commercial codes created by vatican based on historical records.also crusades targetted against first orthodox church regardless koptik and armenian churches carried more authentic and additional gospels which vatican never recognized through 1600 king james translation stricly done by kings orders.to day in show as larry king preachers like bily graham or osteen from their mouth on the air clearly pronounces that jesus is not the only way as todays schoolar acting sects of turkey as alevis yezidis kizilbas nursi or naksibendi with such coincidance pronounces same idea as they also dont need to submit their own prophet but god.(as gulen wrotes in with his hand writing)...dilemma since centuries seperatists even incoorperating with fake scriptures aimed to join forces due to ignorance and selfishness to divide humanit while they are acting as if there is a new awekening .at the edge of world religion and world goverment considering great middle east project submitted in senate of us and preached by prime minister or turkey while country lives on interest only loans all should be considered invasion of ignorance and selfishness targetted to destroy last documents and schools trying to carryon rightheous theology as orthodox church .todays turkish parliment is a stage for discussion for incredible fundings and legal encouragements of new churchs and missionary activity but as lon as it is jesuit or catholic rooted because of ignorance.i truly belive sooner or later united states unavoidably face with a reality to get rid of federal reserves and print their own money .and people of world will require schoolars to bring forward the evidence of philosophy while to day all trying to be dimished and destructed as orthodox church not by turkish goverment but by jesuit oreder as mafia or open form of the abbreviation = massinis.association for.insurrection and assasin well it is not a spagetti cowboy movie but politics and history .i am impressed with your positive comment and wanted humble enhance your thoughts as an artist who reads only for humanities and sipirit .peace

[Thimitris_Kalomirakis]

The truth on Orthodox Church has to do with the realization that Christianity we think about in our days in nothing but else than its Catholic approach or its divisions after that. Christian confessions that exist in the west of our days follow (accepting or not) the tradition of Catholic Christianity of the period of 2nd millennium A.D.
The Orthodox Church that has as leader His holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Of Constantinople / Istanbul Mr Bartholomew, survives the character of Christianity of the 1st millennium A.D. It follows the prototype texts of holy bible and the decisions of the International Councils of Christendom that organized the written real tradition of that faith, all in Greek language from each real beginning . That fact goes back to the period when for more than 900 years Constantinople / Istanbul was the political and cultural capital of West and Europe where Universities had never stop working in Constantinople from ancient times till 15th century, the Byzantine coin was the strong coin of the west and the area of Mediterranean see till Iran continually for 700 years, or this city ? Constantinople? was the biggest and most crowded empire city of west, (as a comparison we can see during the 12th century the population of Constantinople was almost bigger than the population all the England of that age).
The name Constantinople comes from the expression the City of Constantine the Great how found it an the new capital of Roman Empire (Constantine?s city= Contantinou Poli) while the contemporary one ?Istanbul? comes from the Greek expression in doric dialect ?Stan Poli ? that means to the city (poli). In fact the name of that city in day life was simply ?City/ Poli? because it was the only Imperial city without corruption for 1700 years (during Byzantine and Ottoman Empire) that means the long lasting empire city fro the entire history of civilization on earth. The gap in information that exists about the Institution of ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul it has to do with a kind of a wide hidden part of civilization from the western world in our days.

[gachong]

As an Orthodox Christian I would strongly second the statements of AftimiosII. Patriarch Bartholomew is NOT,cannonically, the head of all Orthodoxy. He is first among EQUALS in terms of honor, only, not authority.

It is distressing that the Patricarhate of Constantinople, Rome, as well as the press continue to promote the image of the "Ecumencal" Patriarch as a singular Pope. In the case of the press, this is apparently due to their laziness with regard to not wanting to do "homework" or to have to address the complexity of Orthodoxy leadership--i.e. not simply one Pope.

In the case of Rome, it is clearly a case of divide and conquer. If Rome can help perpetuate the myth that Orthodoxy is only governed by one "Pope" then they have, in the world's eyes, only one entity to negotiate with in terms of unifying Christianity (under their Pope's authority, to be sure). But in the case of the "Ecumenical" Patriarch it is distressing to see this sort of disinformation perpetuated. The Patriarchates of Alexandria and Jerusalem are older than Constantinople. Other Patriarchates EQUAL to Constantinople in authority are Antioch, Cyprus, Romania, Serbia, Moscow, and the autocephalus Orthodox Church of America. All of them have thriving seminaries and monastic communities.

It is unfortunate, in any case, that the Patriarchate of Constantinople should have to experience the well-known and long-established persecution of the Turkish government.

[itxy]

To sasboy ? can I prove the churches and synagogues are empty?

Did you watch 60 Minutes?

Most are museums now. Means they dont have services.

Showed one operational church, 3 people in pews, which pretty much means, its empty.

[itxy]

Imams say hateful things (no, heaven has not forbidden it.) All religious leaders can say hateful things. Why? Because they?re human. The problem is those people hearing it take the death-to-the-infidels instruction literally.

It wasn?t the Greek Orthodox Church that incited 19 mostly Muslim men to hijack passenger planes to deliberately crash into public places. Or plant bombs in subways at rush hour.

[onipirus]

incited means==excited or influenced ?????
based on historical record theology all know what crusaders did as soon as they enter to constantinopolis they looted the city and even dig the grave of saint andrew and take it partly to marabella and scothland for divination tools for the kings for their claim of divine rights of kings...in 1600 king james ordered and controlled the translation of bible..only in acts ekklesia translated as congregation 2nd meaning call for the outcast ones...rest of the translation of eklesia claimed from root word of circle translated as church ...
orthodox eklesia ,in turkish kilise ,has most of the original manuscripts as koptic and armenian churches.450 years all popes come from italy and please check first few and their fathers business as banking ....their involvment with fundamentalist fanatic islamic terorist fromhistorical and sociopolitical stand point is not possible.but we can clearly locate endless documents when catholic church executed over 2 million in spain while population was 10 million during enguzition as pope apoligized from protestants.today subject documentary portreys the extension of destruction of last remnants of true scripture not by turkish goverment but selfish ignorant pastors to speed up great middle east project for seperatist intentions.at the mean time last remnants of true christianity also will be folded and no one have to submit no prophet neither christians nor muslims and peace will be rule selfishness and individualizm will be new soveirnity for human capital through this nonesense enlightment .the word incitement should be used for catholic church against true christians and word beside works.i hope you check larry king show with bill graham while he is saying on the air jesus is not the only way as osteen says the same thing beside so many trained by catholic or let me correct by jesuit order.peace be upon you and god bless till the kingdom comes.

[AftimiosII]

While the Patriarch is a holy and gracious man, he is not the pope of the Orthodox Churches. He has no authority over them except for the Greek Church in the Americas and a few other places. The Russian Orthodox Church over which he has no control and little infuence is by far the largest of the world's Orthodox Churches. If the Ecumenical Patrichade should end with this current man, there would be little impact on the Orthodox world.

[onipirus]

if there wasnt original orthodox church there wouldnt be orthodox church in russia .as all knows german d banks financed russian revolution by known bankers putin barely got rid off paying off billions and first time declaring as russia will stay with orthodox ethics and morals.regardless i can understand your point of power origin ,immesuarble worth of manuscripts still under the hands of orthodox church.please lets not forget when crusaders first step into constantinopolis they looted the city they dig the grave of saint andrew and carried to marabella and scothland for divination of the kings for their claims of divine rights of kings while all ended up with 1600 king james version conducted personally by king eklesia the word eklesia translated as cognregation only in acts but later repetitions of the word translated as church claimed as from root word circle.to day considering the oldest 2 church as armenian and orthodox churches it is sentimentally and sipiritually very sumbolic that tru sipiritual power stay in its original location .jesuit or catholic sociopolitix for world religion ofcourse would love to see replacement of orthodox church to russia :) its not a matter of who holds the title its a matter of whom title belongs to as savior.considering larry king show interview with billy graham or osteen who on the air claims jesus is not the only way with their own mouth as millions heard and you can also watch from you tube to day is world ready to forget erease old world for the sake of enlightment and change ..do you think it may also include the change of the word and surrender for all promising all will reach god as they do so ???well poverty of greek orthodox chruch is not due to turkish officials whom allows and support many many ctaholic missionaries and churches by reserving fundings but against orthodox doctrin which claims still he is the only way for salvation .i understand such a powerless poor syupid person he could seems like from a distance who doesnt have nothing but he still stands he still waits for his return rightthere at original spot where they established the church before vatican exist before vatican took away all their authority .if there wasnt prehistorica there would be a russian orthodox church today and it is very recent very very recent very open to unexpected transformations influences.but hence you are right where there are millions in russia i dont understand why they dont supprot the poor man in once constantinopolis where they use to call in song tsarigrad once open a time hoping to control the power of sipirituality i wonder does it worth to run after power of flesh for anyof our brothers in faith .documents immesurably precious scriptures and mnuscripts for the world.

[sasboy-2009]

Tolerance ?

Take a look at this link, the head of the Greek Orthodox church openly inciting hatred against the Turks -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3292835.stm

To receive tolerance, you must show it first. Heaven forbid, if an imam were to say something so hateful, how would people respond.

[angelarisg]

Dear Fellow Neighbor and Global Citizen:
This long lasting suffering of Orthodoxy in Turkey is not just about the Makariotaton Patriarch Bartholomew as a single human being, nor just about Patriarchal Rights and the unbroken Patriarchal Line and Legacy of 17 centuries....which lets not forget to consider were bestowed once more on Patriarch Genadios II in January of 1454 by the very Mehmed II, after he entered Constantinople and wanted to be considered as Sultan Basileus. Let us not void the history of the origins of the modern Turkish State routed in "Istanbul".
Yet, this PATRIARCHAL "CALLING" WAS A CALLING OF US ALL ABOUT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, FREEDOM OF WILL, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, FREEDOM OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF LIFE, RESPECT OF THE NEIGHBOR. FURTHER, IT WAS/IS A QUEST FOR HELP AGAINST OPPRESSION AND PRESSURES OPEN AND COVERT, AND FOR THE RESTITUTION OF DESECRATED BURIAL GROUNDS, OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP, AND FOR THE REOPENING OF THE THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL OF CHALKI, AND SO MUCH MORE!!!
Where is the mohamedan dervisean valor, pride, dignity and honor in the implementation of those very basic things that I mentioned above? What would it take to revisit them? The eyes and souls of the world are observing you. Do the right think! You can do it.
Me tis Ygeies sas!

[onipirus]

only way is to remember since first crusades
when they looted the city dig the grave of saint andrew and carry his bones to marabella and scothland for divination of kings to claim divine rights of kings--and jesuit order took over the pilgrimage making even lui de 14th a saint --remembering first popes father was a banker and he was not even a priest --remembering after 450 yrs all popes come from italy than dearst paul comes after he played soccer till he finished JUNIOR HIGH in a jweish team (his mom was jewish) and invite from indian medicine man to budists to snake charmers to pray in vatican for salvation way after they killed over 2million while spain population was 10 million --sure it is possible to do all globally subject matter is --who will reign the wolrd religion and will it require jesus as the way ????to day in lary king show billy graham says he is not the only way on the air (check you tube) as osteen also says so ..ain that fun ...well many nuslim schoolars inspired with dear john paul also writes in their book (gulen)it is not neccessary for submission to muhammed :) funny enlightment extends for (power recognizition)what i dont understand while this poor man of faith guardian of immesuarble scripture manusicripture documents stay in powerty and without recognizition ..in turkish parliment at you tube you can watch fights agains goverment fundings for new churches ( funny right sounds impossible) but only for jesuit catholic backedup //well it is great where ever original word stays coming world religion should erease for good and thats what we watch in 60 min .but global citizen as human capital through perception management and mind control is not designed to give a damn abut none but his own selfishness.please meditate for global idealizm beyond it is marketted through manupulation .hydrom collider is just about to fail and prove e isnot =mc2 epigenetics flattens dna rule we gotta preserve universal ethic we dont need global socializm . check maurice strong and carbon tax and new world bank for global idealizm
peace i appreciate the sentimetalizm and nostalgia of your remark thats why i though you may be receptive to include diffrent perspective in your humanist approach peace bro peace

[itxy]

To sasboy2009 who said Istanbul has dozens of churches and synagogues.

No doubt they do, considering history. Do these dozens have regular services? How large are their congregations?

You quite missed the point. Yes, to receive tolerance, you have to first show it.

And, my Greek colleague tells me there are mosques in Athens. Don?t be so surprised.

[sasboy-2009]

Can you prove to me the churches or synagogues are empty ?

No, the tens of thousands of Muslim immigrants in Athens until quite recently had to pray in basements. The Orthodox church actively OPPOSED the construction of ANY mosques in the city, this was a major controversial subject until recently.

And don't even lets get started on the Swiss minaret ban......so much for tolerance