Report of the "Mission of Fellowship"

From the World Council of Churches to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church and to other Churches and Christians in Istanbul .

Μ. Πρωτοπρεσβυτέρου Γεωργίου Τσέτση, Eπιστημονική Παρουσία Eστίας Θεολόγων Χάλκης,τόμ. Η΄, A θήναι 2015, σελ .473- 511

INTRODUCTION

Events in Istanbul on the evening of September 6 th which began as a student demonstration claiming Cyprus for the Turks, very quickly emerged as an organized and ruthless attack for the destruction of the churches, homes and property of the ethnic Greek (Byzantine), and to a lesser extent of other Christian minorities.

When the news reached Geneva, the World Council of Churches immediately sent the Reverend Raymond E. Maxwell, Secretary for Orthodox Churches and Countries of its Division of Inter-Church Aid, to examine the situation and express the concern of the Churches represented in the Council. His report led to the decision by the World Council that in addition of the expressions of sympathy received by the Ecumenical Patriarch from the Archbishop of Canterbury and from many Churches and Councils of Churches, the visit of a representative Mission of Fellowship to express personally the feelings of the Christian world and the desire of Christian bodies represented in the World Council to "bear one another's burdens" would be a practical means of demonstrating that concern. Accordingly, a group consisting of

The Bishop of Malmesbury (The Rt. Rev. Ivor S. Watkins Church of England)

Professor Edward R. Hardy (Protestant Episcopal Church - USA)

Professor Robert Tobias (Disciples of Christ - USA)

The Reverend Charles Westphal (Vice President of the Protestant Federation of France) and

The Reverend Raymond E. Maxwell (World Council Staff - Geneva)

left for Istanbul on November 6th for a week-long visit. The Mission went in the name of the 162 Churches cooperating in the World Council, not to make a formal investigation, still with any partisan or political aims, but to express our sympathy and fellowship with fellow-Christians and our concern for the maintenance of common human rights.

The Mission saw everywhere the remains of the appalling destruction of September 6 th. Out of 80 Greek Orthodox churches, 29 were completely destroyed by fire, 34 badly damaged and 8 less seriously and 9 remained intact. 4,000 shops were destroyed, their contents thrown into the streets and 2,000 homes utterly ruined. Several Armenian and Roman Catholic churches and the homes of many Armenian families were also destroyed. Many of these places were visited by the Mission and prayers were usually offered with priests and people. In some instances services are being held in temporary chapels, and fifteen feeding centers have been set up in parishes in and around the city; these are especially for the aged and for poor children, to give them at least one hot meal a day. Not only were shops and homes the target of the demonstrators, but also the cemeteries. The great cemetery in Şişli was the scene of ravage and desecration - monuments were smashed and overturned, graves were opened, bones thrown about or burned and the chapel completely gutted. By the time of the Mission's visit considerable progress had been made to put the cemetery in order, but at the monastery at Baloukli nothing had been done. The scene is impossible to describe. Here the tombs of the Patriarchs had been opened and bones left exposed, the church and monastery completely destroyed by fire. It was here that one aged monk was burned to death, while another barely escaped with his life. Schools have in most cases been able to re-open after partial repair, but many of the homes are still without windows or doors and are bare of furniture and utensils. Shopkeepers lost their stocks, professional men their equipment, and the poor what little they had.

These events are all the more regrettable since under the leadership of Patriarch Athenagoras, the Greek Orthodox Christians of Istanbul were taking their proper place as good citizens of the Turkish Republic. The violence which raged so unexpectedly against the Greek and other minorities on the night of September 6 th has undone for a while the work of reconciliation of ethnic and religious groups in Turkey which men of good will on all sides have desired.

His All-Holiness welcomed us most warmly on the morning of our arrival (November 7 th) and gave us about an hour. We were able in the name of the World Council of Churches to convey the sympathy of member-churches and to express the deep desire for fellowship with the Orthodox Churches and other Churches in Istanbul in their suffering and desperation.

The next morning (November 8 th) we had more than an hour with the Patriarch in which he succinctly stated the situation in which the Greek Orthodox Church and people in Istanbul now find themselves, reviewed the insecurity and indignities which characterize the continuing situation, showed the loyalty of the Greek element as Turkish citizens, indicated the lack of concrete plans and legislation as yet for restoring homes and churches, stressed the necessity of following policies that will keep the responsibility for compensation where it rightfully belongs, i.e, on the government which permitted the attack. The attack is a symbol of very deep-rooted chauvinism and deep-seated tensions and divisions and prejudices.

There has unfortunately been almost no sign or act of sympathy and understanding from the Turkish press, from the University, from public opinion.

There is no evidence that the Greek elements are not good citizens and everything is in their favour from this point of view.

One member of the mission (Mr. Maxwell) had an opportunity on November 10 th to discuss various practical matters with His All- Holiness.

On Sunday, November 13 th, the members of the Mission attended the Liturgy at St. George's Cathedral. After the Liturgy about twelve leading laymen representing the Holy Trinity Cathedral and other outstanding parishes as well as the boards of various Church institutions greeted us and spoke of the terrible plight in which the church and the people find themselves, the lack of a sense of security for families and for community institutions, the overwhelming nature of the burden so suddenly thrust upon the entire Greek community. At the same time, they were greatly encouraged in their loneliness to know that they are not abandoned by sister-churches and they were most grateful for the token of fellowship with other Christians and Churches which the Mission represented.

This was followed by a meeting of the same group with the Patriarch and the members of our Mission, when the Patriarch expressed on behalf of his whole community their great gratitude for the Mission and the fellowship it represented and their sense of encouragement resulting from of the Mission. He testified that the Mission had made a very good impression with Istanbul city authorities and that our meeting with the Governor had been reported officially to the authorities in Ankara and that renewed promises of compensation had verbally given as well as an undertaking on the part of the Prime Minister to give his attention to the matters of our concern v Tien he visits Istanbul in the very near future.

It was felt that the course followed by the Mission during its visit and the approaches taken had been along lines most conducive to finding solutions in the present complex and delicate situation.

One of the members, Dr. Hardy, addressed the group in Greek. This meeting was followed by luncheon with his All-Holiness and farewells.

It was felt by members of the Mission that the meeting with representative lay leaders and His All Holiness was a highlight of our visit. (These men came from parishes whose buildings are in ruins, and they nearly all had had their places of business destroyed). It is a moving testimony both to the depth of loneliness and insecurity of the whole Christian community and to the fact that our Mission had accomplished in the full extent possible its first purpose - that of witnessing to the solidarity of Christians and Churches the world over with Christians and Churches in Istanbul.

This meeting also will have very great value in that representative laymen will be able to explain to parishes and people prone to false hopes and to disillusionments the real nature of the visit and the work done as well as the limitations to the help which we and our churches can render.

Our meeting with the Patriarch on November 8 th was followed by an informal meeting with members of the Holy Synod. All but three members were present (one was absent on a mission and two were unable to be present due to illness).

There was an opportunity to talk with the various members including the Metropolitans of Heliopolis Gennadios, of Prinkipo Dorotheos, of Imbros Meliton, of Philadelphia James. This was followed by luncheon with the Patriarch and the Holy Synod.

On November 8 th following luncheon, we visited the ravaged Şişli cemetery, where a very quick clean-up operation industriously carried out, has resulted in as thorough and satisfactory a repair of the ruins and restoration of order as possible, in view of the colossal ravages that had been wrought there. A visit to the charnel house and a viewing of some of the tombs not yet restored still gave some notion of the jungle of broken mortuary art and broken tombs and human remains in disarray that were to be seen there after the terror. Prayers were held within the walls of the destroyed chapel.

We then visited the Holy Trinity Cathedral near Taksim Square in the heart of Pera. Here nothing has been undertaken to repair the devastation and we saw the remains of the Church and its furnishings in much the same condition as they had been left in the early morning of September 7 th.

We also saw the dispensary and parish buildings adjoining the Church and visited the feeding centre (set up by the Holy Synod), where every day 200 people receive a warm meal. (The dispensary had formerly been a particularly valuable work of community social service, whose ministry was not restricted to Christians).

On November 9 th we visited the 1000-year-old Baloukli Monastery. The monastery buildings were gutted by fire, the abbot was critically injured and required hospitalization for weeks, and an 88-year-old monk disappeared, almost surely having perished in the flames. The large chapel was completely wrecked and ravaged and finally destroyed by fire. The tombs of the Patriarchs were opened and smashed; the remains were disturbed and scattered and the present picture is still ghoulish enough. (This small cemetery presents today in microcosm some idea of the wreckage and indecency that prevailed in Şişli cemetery until it was cleaned up). Here the charnel house was also wrecked and the bones piled in heaps and burned.

Following our visit to the Baloukli Monastery, we were guests of the board and the Director of the Greek Hospital ( Baloukli) for lunch. We visited all the wards and greeted the hundreds of patients there and received an insight into the remarkable medical and surgical work of this splendid institution. Prayers were said in the chapel in gratitude that this house of mercy had been allowed to stand and to continue its work, and in intercession for the sick and for all who minister for their relief and healing.

Both before and after our visits to the Greek Hospital, stops were made at parish houses, destroyed churches and schools and at devastated homes in several parts of old Istanbul.

At the Belgrade Church nothing remains, the building and all its contents having been leveled by fire. A small adjoining building, which had only been partially destroyed, has been patched up and is serving as an emergency chapel. We visited perhaps ten apartments in the neighborhood, which were only a sample of the homes in ruin where not so much as a stool or a chair remains. Even the most elemental essentials for housekeeping, such as pots and pans, dishes, cutlery, furniture, mattresses, bedding, personal clothing, toilet articles and all the most obvious articles required for a modicum of decency in daily living were destroyed, and no way exists for widows and aged couples and other poor people to replace them. Not only everything necessary to life, but also all those personal and sentimental objects that are precious to people, have in very many of these families been wiped out for ever.

What has been said of the Belgrade Church and its neighborhood can be repeated for St Constantine's Church and for the other churches we visited. In several of these ruins prayers were said, usually with the local rector and a number of members of the congregation present.

At St. Constantine's Church a feeding center has also been set up to provide one warm meal a day to poor children and families of the congregation. We also visited homes in the neighborhood of St. Constantine's Church, where the story of destruction was the same.

Words cannot describe the devastation of these churches, rectories, parish houses, schools and homes, though people in some countries who experienced the blitz and bombardment of war can understand it. The difference is that in this case the destruction was carried out by neighbors and fellow-countrymen.

In Greek and Armenian quarters of the city we saw hundreds of houses and apartments which face the winter almost or entirely devoid of window glass, and in most such cases the bulk of household furnishings and equipment was destroyed and those affected remain deprived of even the barest necessities of life.

We also saw some persons who had received physical injuries the night of September 6th; we met the mother of a new-born child, whose father died as a result of such injuries before the baby's birth.

In several of the neighborhoods visited, girls and women had been violated; reliable people from outside the communities affected reported violations observed by them in the public street.

a) Visit to Halki.

Saturday, November 12th, was given to a visit to the well-known Theological School at Halki. Although mobs invaded the place and occupied it for an hour and more, damage was confined to extensive breakage of doors and windows and a few of the tombstones. The attempt to break into the valuable library was unsuccessful. It is a blessing that the building was not burned, both for the sake of the building itself and also because the students and professors who were there at the time (about forty in number) were in hiding in a remote part of the attic and would have almost surely perished. Appreciation has been expressed for the effective intervention of the Cadets from the Turkish Naval Academy on the island, who were instrumental in bringing a halt to the destruction when martial law was declared.

The School has opened according to schedule, with about eighty students from various countries in Lyceum and Seminary. Here as at the Patriarchate and some other institutions, one must past a military guard upon entering. In addition a sizeable group of soldiers are quartered in the school building itself, and the atmosphere seemed to be not wholly without tension.

We were most warmly received by the Faculty and students. We were guests at luncheon in the school refectory and were excellently impressed with the student body. We were introduced to the students, and the Bishop of Malmesbury and Dr. Westphal responded on behalf of our Mission with brief but moving messages.

The fact that "Halki" is able to continue its work of Theological Training in a comparatively normal way is a positive factor of great importance in the present situation.

I. RELATIONS WITH OTHER CHURCHES.

The Mission felt that during its visit to Istanbul it should express its ecumenical character and visit other Christian leaders.

The Mission was gracefully received by the Armenian (Gregorian) Patriarch, who expressed his appreciation of our visit. One of his Churches out of about seventy in Istanbul and vicinity was badly damaged; it was across the street from a Greek church which was also badly damaged. The Patriarch seemed not to be disposed to discuss the situation, but that may be because he feared to speak frankly. Many of the homes of his people were invaded and suffered household losses similar to those of the "Greeks". From other reliable sources we learned that the Armenian minority finds itself suddenly oppressed by a great sense of insecurity similar to that felt by the "Greeks".

The Anglican chaplain in Turkey (The Rev. C. W. Piper) was most helpful to the Mission not only in practical ways but also in enabling us to assess the background of the situation. We are tremendously indebted to him.

The Mission also saw the German Lutheran pastor, Mr Haeberle, whose congregation is made up of German-speaking Evangelicals from various countries. We considered the question of asking him to join the Mission as a member, but eventually decided against doing so on the ground that he was "in situ" and to ask him and not other Christian leaders in Istanbul would be invidious, and also whatever repercussions might follow the Mission's visit, it would wiser if he were not involved. We further felt that the general situation in Turkey regarding minorities made the Mission's position stronger if it contained no members of these minorities. We accordingly saw him in exactly the same way as the other Christian leaders in Istanbul. We are greatly indebted to him for assisting us in our understanding of various aspects of the situation.

We were kindly invited to meet representatives of the American Board (ABCFM - Congregational Christian), and Mr. Woolworth, Mr. Wiley and their colleagues gave us the benefit of their long experience in Turkey to help us in assessing the present situation. We were particularly grateful for this meeting, because their workers had contacts which enabled them to keep informed of popular opinion.

One of our members visited the Apostolic Delegate and conveyed to him the sympathy of the World Council of Churches. For obvious reasons this was better done personally than officially, but he was deeply appreciative of the gesture and said he would inform the Vatican. Contact was also made with Dr. Frank S. Coan, Secretary of the local organization for men and boys which is affiliated with the World's YMCA.

The Mission took the opportunity of visiting the office of the WCC Service to Refugees and of meeting Miss June Stoll and her staff, as well as visiting the Refugee Farm. It is grateful to Miss Stoll for various kinds of assistance generously given. It is a great tribute to Miss Stoll and her work that she is "persona grata" with all groups, and that the Patriarchate and the Red Crescent (for example) spoke of her in the highest possible terms.

It will be seen that the Mission during its brief visit made as many contacts as possible with Christian activity in Istanbul and are happy to state that their visit brought comfort, strength and encouragement to them all. It is true to say that the reality and solidarity of the fellowship within the World Council of churches has been experienced.

II. RELATIONS WITH OFFICIALS.

a) The "Vali" (or Governor) of Istanbul.

(The Office of Vali is appointive under the national government. The office has also until the elections of November 13th inst. included the administrative functions of City Mayor. Our conference with the "Vali" should be understood in the light of the direct connection of his office with the Prime Minister and other national officials in Ankara).

The Mission visited the "Vali" on November 10th and was graciously received at the Vilayet of Istanbul. It was apparent from the outset that the "Vali" wanted to give a certain importance to our visit. This was clear from the reception accorded us, then from the battery of photographers, and very likely from the (timely) telephone call from Ankara during the visit, as well as from the fact that this very busy official gave us about an hour of his time. When we returned to the hotel we found that the "Vali" had already returned our call by way of having had his visiting card placed in each of our mail boxes!

On behalf of the delegation, Dr. Westphal observed that its members wished to associate themselves with the spirit of the national day of mourning for Kemal Atatürk and that our Mission was non-partisan and non-political in character and to be understood as an expression of the fellowship of the Churches and their interest in human rights for all people. In replay Governor Gokay spoke of his constant insistence of moral and spiritual values and stated that the great common threat in the world is that of atheism. He spoke of his interest in Moral Re-armament and said that he was a supporter of all the ways by which men - Moslem, Christian and Jew - come to a knowledge of God. He spoke with pride of his actual profession as a full professor (Ordentlicher Professor) of psychiatry and psychology in the Medical Faculty of the University. He dwelt upon his own religious background - he came from a pious family, his grandfather having been a Sheikh and an uncle a Moslem Pastor. A believer himself, he begins each day's work by reading the Koran in accordance with Moslem custom. He has always desired and worked for reconciliation and fellowship between groups (his remarks had been carefully prepared and delivered in French, and he ticked off his points as he spoke. This done, coffee was served, the "Vali" came down and took his seat informally with the delegation, and a battery of photographers with flash bulbs having been admitted, pictures were taken from various angles). As to the recent unhappy events, he was deeply distressed and hoped that they might be forgotten as restitution was made and all worked together for a better future.

We had come to Istanbul according to Dr. Maxwell, in the name of about 200 million Christians all over the world, whose churches are members of the World Council. We had come with an immediate concern for the plight of the Christian minorities here, whose security had been badly shaken by the events of September 6th, but it ought to be remembered that our concern is for the welfare of all men, regardless of nationality or creed.

In 1950 when there were floods in the interior of Turkey the World Council had sent relief supplies. In 1952 when there were earthquakes in Anatolia we had sent blankets and food and clothing. In both these instances we did this on behalf of Turks and they were not of our religion, but it was an expression of the love and mercy that our religion enjoins. In response to questions about the government's plans for compensation, the " Vali" spoke in some detail of the events of September 6th. It must be remembered that the populace was agitated by reports from Cyprus and the "Enosis" campaign of Archbishop Makarios. There were exaggerated rumors of an intended massacre of Turks in Cyprus and a widely-believed report that the Patriarch was sending money to Makarios. The " Vali" had publicly denied this, and the paper which printed the report then alleged that at least the Patriarch was not receiving certain income which would normally be paid in to him from Cyprus. After the bomb incident in Thessalonica it was known that demonstrations were being planned and the " Vali" arranged for military protection of the Greek Consulate and the Patriarchate. Though Communism is illegal in Turkey, Communists doubtless had a share in the destructive turn of events, which struck the city like a hurricane, a "blitz". Bad as the events were, there was not the massacre which some have reported. The highest authorities - the President and the Prime Minister - were in the train en route to Ankara and hence could not be reached immediately for the proclamation of martial law. The " Vali" had resigned in order to be able to explain the situation from the freedom of an unofficial position, but his resignation was not accepted. He hoped still to work for the restoration of good feeling, remembering his friendship for the Patriarch (and his friendly visits when in the United States upon Archbishop Michael and to the new St. Sophia Greek Cathedral in Los Angeles). - At this moment a telephone call came through from the President of the Republic. The " Vali" told him of the visit of the delegation and reported that he was greatly moved by it. - Both immediately after the events and at the opening of the National Assembly on November 1st, the President and Prime Minister had announced the government's intention of restitution. Meanwhile the Citizen's Committee in Istanbul was proceeding with compensation, beginning with the smallest but often most urgent claims and working up. The " Vali" mentioned the importance of action in view of approaching the winter weather, and he said that it is expected that the Prime Minister will come here in the next few days to discuss plans and the " Vali" would go to Ankara with a detailed proposal. He was also hoping to receive from the Patriarch a detailed estimate of damages to the churches. As the delegation left, the " Vali" presented each member with a copy of the official "Album - Istanbul 1950-1953", and Mr. Maxwell voiced the hope of the delegation that the " Vali" would have success and blessing in his work for the welfare of all the people of his great city. The Mission emphasized that we would be interested in the progress achieved in restoring people's homes and re-building churches and, in the event that a general appeal should be made to the Christian world for the re¬building of the churches that had been destroyed, Turkey would appear in an unhappy light before world opinion, and we therefore received with satisfaction the " Vali" assurance of the serious intentions of his government to make restitution. (It should be added that the same afternoon the " Vali" telephoned the Patriarch, giving more encouraging assurances than had yet been received, and promising that within the next few days the Prime Minister would visit Istanbul to deal with these questions).

b) Embassies and Consulates.

Members of the Mission visited several times their respective Embassies and/or Consulates. The sympathetic, helpful and intelligent disposition of these diplomatic and consular representatives is something for which to be thankful. In all cases their opinion agreed with that of the C.C.I.A. and we feel that their concern for the moral issues concerned was clearly evident.

The Mission also considered the advisability of visiting the Government officials in Ankara, but in view of the evidence it saw of internal dissension in political circles, in the undoubted value of the visit to the " Vilayet" and the certainty that it would be fully reported to Ankara, and above all the fact that such a visit would be misrepresented and misunderstood, it decided against this action. It felt strongly that the whole value of the Mission lay in its Christian purpose and non-political character, as well as in its interest in all peoples in Turkey and not only Greeks. We have had evidence that this attitude is much appreciated by responsible people.

a) Red Crescent Society (Turkish "Red Cross")

Two members of the Mission - Messrs. Tobias and Maxwell - visited the Red Crescent Society, Istanbul chapter, and were well received by Mr. Taki Karakash, Director of the Turkish Red Crescent, and Dr. Omer Faruk Sargut, President of the Istanbul chapter.

Two points in the conversation should be summarized here:

1) Relief efforts of the Red Crescent in connection with the victims.

a) A sum of t. l. 200,000 was given as immediate relief to the families of working men and distributed directly by the Red Crescent. Note: "t. l." is Turkish "lire" or pounds).

b) The Red Crescent distributed 680 blankets. (Both "a" and "b" were distributed according to lists of names provided by the Patriarch).

c) A one-time distribution of food packages was made on the basis of 5 kilos for a family of five. The packages were made up of supplies of butter, cheese and powdered milk received by Red Crescent through WCC channels.

2) The Work of the Citizens' Committee.

a) Immediately after the events a Citizens' Committee of four was appointed by the Prime Minister. This Committee included the Director of the National Bank, a deputy in the national parliament (who is also Vice President of the Red Crescent) and the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.

b) A sum of t.l. 36,000,000 was collected. (It appears that quotas were established and each business man was practically compelled to give. From reliable sources we learned that in some cases victims themselves had to pay when approached by the committee).

5,0 Each family was to submit its claim to the Committee. The claims are for 70 - 80,000,000 Turkish lire. Already t.l. 2,000,000 have been distributed among people who lost up to t.l. 5,000. (The method followed in some instances, we learned from other reliable and independent sources, has been to pay a small fraction of the claim and then require the signing of a receipt as "Paid in full". It has been independently reported that in some cases exaggerated claims were presented, while in other cases victims were either so proud or so sceptical of results that they did not bother to file claims). The next group of claims to be considered will be those in the category t.l. 5,000 to t.l. 10,000.

c) Related to the work of the citizens' committee was the question of the compensation for damages to churches. Investigations are to be carried out by a committee headed by the Governor, and t.l. 3,000,000 has already been granted. (This was the only occasion when this committee or this figure was mentioned to us, and it is not known how this information should be evaluated. The physical damages alone, quite apart from the real worth of buildings, icons etc. and considerations of irreplaceability would without doubt be very many times this amount).

I. INSECURITY OF MINORITY GROUPS.

The cultural and material losses arising from the destruction of most of the ancient Byzantine Churches and their irreplaceable icons and other objects, which carried with them religious and family associations of generations and centuries, the indecent and ruthless treatment of the remains of the dead with all the psychological damage to individuals and families resulting therefrom, the vandalous invasion of people's homes and the wild destruction of a large number of poor families (before their very eyes and in the dead of night) of virtually all of their household and personal possessions - all of this has caused unimaginably deep wounds and sufferings which cannot easily or quickly heal. Much more serious even than the cultural and material losses is the deep feeling of insecurity which terror has left in its wake among the religious minorities. Reports from the most varied sources indicate that the attackers threatened that this time it was their goods and next it would be their lives. There is a very widespread feeling in the Turkish community, often shared by educated persons, that the "Greeks" are disloyal citizens.

Recent experiences added to earlier discriminatory tax legislation have convinced the minorities that theirs is at best second-class citizenship, if it cannot depend upon police protection and if they can be thus threatened by mob-rule. Thoughtful Turks as well as foreigners living in Turkey are concerned about public security in general if terror can thus be allowed to strike. The events of September 6th are all the more shocking to the minority groups in that they were totally unexpected. The sense of security has greatly improved in recent years due to:

a) the internal condition of the country, which until recently had been gradually improving,

b) the apparent desire of Turkey to be accepted in the family of nations and its general desire for approval by Western countries and for strengthening its economic, cultural and political contacts with them, and

c) due to the NATO Alliance and the "protection" by Western powers which this implied.

There can be no return to normal for minority groups without the prior restoration of their sense of security, and their sense of security cannot be restored unless there can be convincing assurances that there will never be a recurrence of such events and unless their faith can be restored that basic human rights will be guaranteed and that their homes and churches are safe.

If the re-establishment of a sense of security among the minorities in Turkey is to take place it must begin with the acceptance and fulfillment on the Turkish side of responsibilities with relation to the events of September 6th.

a) Turkish Regrets.

1) Through its President and Prime Minister the Turkish government has officially deplored the action of the mobs on September 6th. The Governor of Istanbul was unexpectedly open in his expressions of regret to the Mission, and the President of the Red Crescent (Istanbul chapter) expressed regret of what had happened. At the same time the mob action was attributed to factors foreign to normal governmental control (Cyprus issue, Communism, blind social and economic rivalry between ethnic groups and lack of any vital meeting between Turks and minorities, although both have Turkish citizenship).

2) Many individuals have apparently expressed their shame of what happened: the Turkish women who came to Şişli Cemetery on September 7th to help clean up; the Turkish military officer who (as landlord) offered his Orthodox tenant (whose goods had been destroyed) free use of his store until he would be able to pay again; the Turkish students who applauded the Governor at the University Convocation for 15 minutes, apparently to indicate their personal sympathy with his stand against the riots; the Turkish families who gave shelter to friends among the minority groups during and after the riots.

3) But a feeling prevalent among the minorities is that until expressions of regret begin to be made by the government and public institutions (none as yet from the newspapers and the University) which will have the effect of counteracting the continuing insults and indignities against individuals they cannot be considered as genuine. Many victims conclude that such indications of regret as there have been are not of sufficient proportions to be convincing and that as yet the indications are all too few that words will be accompanied by deeds.

b) Turkish Responsibility.

1) The government accepted responsibility for the events and their consequences.

a) On clean-up day (September 7th) police sounds trucks announced that the government would cover all damages and urged the victims to get their shattered merchandise off the streets.

b) When evidence implicated the Minister of Interior and other officials, they were ousted.

c) The President and Premier, before Parliament, promised full restitution. The Governor has accepted responsibility to see that this is done in Istanbul.

d) A "Committee of Four" under the Prime Minister has collected funds privately for partial compensation of victims.

e) There is talk from the government side that legislation will shortly be enacted to provide restitution for all damages.

2) But there are serious limits to what the government can do and what the Committee of Four is doing.

a) The government is very hard-pressed financially and had not yet secured the long-requested loan of $ 300,000,000 from the United States for purposes of expanding production, not to speak of restitution.

b) Many supplies (e.g. glass) for reparations must be purchased abroad in hard currency.

c) The Committee of Four is reported to have received its funds (36 million Lire) from individuals and shops by assigning quotas and demanding payment (this amount equals over $ 12,000,000 at the official rate or about $ 4,500,000 at the "free market" rate).

d) The Committee of Four in some cases has paid small amounts against total claims (t.l. 800 on a t.l. 5,000 claim) and demanded signed statements that claims were settled satisfactorily. Claims as submitted may in some cases have been inflated.

3) While the government's attitude toward its responsibility for damages is moderately encouraging, it is clear:

a) that current political and economic problems within the government may seriously curtail final and full settlement of claims and

b) that minority groups have no confidence that the government seriously intends to settle in full.

c) Security

Minority groups are presently, therefore, very insecure and fearful of the future. The following are some of the contributing factors:

1) The apparent reluctance of the government to make adequate settlement of claims,

2) the lack of genuine regret at official and popular levels for what happened,

3) the continuing, if not increasing, expressions of anti-religious, anti¬minority feelings of some Turks (e.g. rumoured attacks on Christ and the Church in two Christian schools by Turkish teachers, and animosity shown by newspapers and magazines),

4) unchecked and continuous acts of vandalism and stealing from unoccupied homes recently sacked,

5) new threats against individual clergy and laity. (One clergyman was confronted in November 8th with "You still here? The next time we'll crush you." Incidents of this kind occur frequently).

6) The historic sequence: loss of capital savings by discriminatory tax laws 12 years ago aimed against minorities, loss of property on September 6th, and threats that their lives will be taken next.

Members of minorities as well as other thoughtful people are left with the feeling that nothing has been settled, that the "riots" have not really ended and that normal life cannot be resumed with confidence in one another and wish for security for the future.

d) Conclusions

1) There are certain steps which the Turkish government can take if it will:

a) take decisive action to the end that those responsible for organizing the riots be sought, apprehended, and brought to trial;

b) curb continuing anti-minority activities by due process of law;

c) give adequate attention and evidence of it, to compensation, whether in full now or according to specified schedule;

d) provide some structure for appeal re-infringement of rights, claims for indemnity, etc.

(N.B.: There may also be steps which the minority groups should take, e.g. re-economic practices, linguistic and social isolationism, etc.).

2) But, while the government states that it is taking the matter seriously, it cannot convince minority groups that it is seriously concerned, nor can it restore confidence in the government and among the people until it is able to arrange for just compensation. Here is a dilemma due to critical and inflationary economic situation. Western diplomatic representatives are aware of this fact. We believe Western nations should stand ready to assist the Turkish government to fulfill its present responsibility, providing that guaranties are given that rights of minorities will be safeguarded.

Further, the situation of minority groups in Turkey should be seen in relation to the total economic assistance program in Turkey. If the ultimate aim of Western Powers is to secure human rights etc., then these cannot be gained for the majority or for the nations involved by sacrificing the rights of minorities.

Finally, Turkey is eager to be accepted in the community of Western "civilized" nations (speech of President Bayar, November 8th).

Consideration might well be given by representatives of Western nations together with representatives from Turkey as to just what that means.

I. MATERIAL RELIEF, COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES TO CHURCHES AND INTER-CHURCH AID.

a) Material Relief.

1) Work of Citizen's Committee (see 111,2)

2) Relief through Division of I.C.A.

Gifts totaling $ 16,500.- already have come in from various churches. Out of this, total $ 1,000.- has already been transferred to the Patriarchate, and $ 3,000.- was an earmarked gift for the relief work of the American Board among the victims. Part of the remainder will be required to reimburse the Service of Refugees office in Istanbul for amounts spent to assist victims from the Albanian and other minorities. It is hoped that there will still be a significant amount remaining, which can be turned over to the Patriarchate for the assistance to families among the "Greek" minority where the need and the number of people concerned are greatest.

Supplies of food are soon to arrive for the general relief program in Turkey administrated through WCC/SR and SOS channels and some food has already been made available in this way. A request for sizeable quantities of food and clothing was sent to New York about four weeks ago by Mr. Metzler, and it only be stressed that these supplies are urgently needed and every effort should be made to speed up the shipment. It should be noted that if ocean freight costs should present a problem, the Red Crescent officials suggested that there might be a possibility for free shipment on Turkish ships. While this possibility should be vigorously pursued, it would probably take months at best until negotiations could be completed. It must therefore be urged that every effort be made to secure shipment as soon as possible, since the crying need is NOW and will continue at least through the winter months (this request includes the following items: 300 bales winter clothing, 1,000 blankets, 36 boys shoes, 90 tons assorted foodstuffs - butter, cheese, milk, sugar, rice, etc. A considerable portion of all relief shipments are already turned over by agreement to the Red Crescent for emergency relief in other areas, and Mr. Metzler will follow up on this question with Miss Stoll. One thousand blankets are being shipped by Lutheran World Relief, (U.S.A.).

3) The Patriarchate is doing everything humanly possible in collaboration with the clergy and lay leaders in the parishes to relieve misery, but its resources are very limited. The action of the Patriarchate in setting up over a dozen feeding centers in needy areas was carried out speedily and well; and many hundreds of children, aged or other needy people are receiving in this way one hot meal a day. These feeding centers are located amid the ruins of Churches. Their need is for supplies (see 2 above). The Patriarchate has been trying to supply window glass and other household essentials to the degree which its very limited resources permit. There is great and urgent need for an augmented relief fund to help to restore decency to human existence. There are 1,000 homes still without window glass, kitchen utensils, cutlery, dishes, bedding, furniture through the Patriarchate.

4) In our conference with the "Vali" we stressed the appalling conditions of hundreds of families - especially in the poorest sections - from whom the little that they had has been ruthlessly taken away. He expressed his interest in improving these conditions before winter sets in, and we are convinced that he will do what he can, but many of the essentials supplies - such as window glass - must be imported, with the result that the prices are sky-high due both to scarcity and inflation, and with the corollary result that the rich and middle strata of society in effect have a priority on them.

5) Under this heading we can also mention that under certain conditions victims are released from payment of the usual public taxes.

b) Compensation for Damages to Churches.

1) It is essential to recognize that the Patriarch is bound to accept in good faith the government's promise to rebuild the Churches. Although urgent appeals can and must be discreetly made among our Member Churches for the relief of human misery (as stated above) it must be left to the government to propose legislation and carry out a program for the restoration of Churches - which in view of the internal economic situation would require a considerable period of time and would no doubt require extended negotiations to reach agreements as to the nature and amount of compensations, number of Churches to be rebuilt, etc. These comments are based on the assumption that there will be on the part of the government some sense of the necessity of rebuilding in order to save face in the eyes of the world (it would be too much to expect a will to rebuild Churches, as long as the same mood continues to prevail which was responsible for their wilful destruction in the first place).

The Mission feels with the Patriarch that primary responsibility for compensation rests with the government. While it welcomes the assurances already given by the government and the very definite assurance given by the "Vali" both to the Patriarch and to us, they unanimously feel sceptical as to the ability of the government to fulfill its promises, due to the complex economic and political situation, which on this matter will doubtless be aggravated by the prevailing psychological climate which would presumably cause a policy of the re-building of Orthodox Churches and re-establishment of their fellow-citizens of Greek ethnic origin to be regarded with disfavour by large sections of the population. There are some signs of new political developments and of dissatisfaction among responsible people for the course on the part of high government authorities which permitted the events of September 6th, a course which has greatly increased internal and external problems of the country.

It must be remembered that regardless of the political situation, a vast sum of Turkish "lire" would be required for a real program of restitution and that the government would probably be unable to pay. Consequently, the Mission feels that pressure might be brought to bear by appropriate Church and Inter-Church agencies to the end that the question of compensation be given due to consideration in connection with granting of intergovernmental loans and other financial aids to Turkey.

1) Aid from other Orthodox Churches.

The Mission recognizes that other Orthodox Churches in the world have a prior responsibility for helping their Orthodox brethren and that whatever aid toward re-building might ultimately be considered through WCC should be related both to the question of compensation by the Turkish government and that of help from other Orthodox Churches. The Mission was happy to learn that certain Orthodox Churches are making plans to assist.

2) The World Council and Inter-Church Aid

The fact remains, however, that even if the government should attempt to provide adequate compensation, there is bound to be a margin, and probably a very wide margin, of needs which can only be met by outside assistance. Who will replace, for example, the Bibles and Prayer Books, the communion vessels and vestments, the furniture and furnishings that were destroyed in a night?

The Mission feels that in giving assistance, the principle of self-help must not be overlooked. Extreme care must be taken in determining the nature of aid given, lest it should directly or indirectly lead to a removal of responsibility from those who should bear it.

Even if money could be found outside of Turkey to cover major costs of Church re-building, this course should not be advisable, for it might be too readily concluded that Churches so easy to rebuild with outside resources would be that much easier to destroy. At any rate, if the idea were to get abroad that outside assistance could be counted upon for the re-building of destroyed churches, those authorities who should bear the responsibility would feel little or no obligation to fulfill their assurances and promises.

Having said this, however, it will be the duty of member churches of the World Council of Churches to help to cover the margin of unmet needs in those ways which may be open to them. This imperative will to be the more deeply felt when it is realized that for many years the Church of Constantinople has been a pioneer in promoting fraternal relations among the Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran and other Protestant Churches. There is a great desire in that Church to forge bonds of fellowship among all the Churches; the ties with Anglicanism and the ties with Protestant Churches are deeply cherished and there has long been a profound desire to cultivate them. It is urgently important that for many reasons in Churches of the West there be a realization of the depth of conviction that exists in the Church of Constantinople concerning the spiritual bond that unites that Church with Churches of the West.

We were very much moved with the words of the Patriarch when he spoke of the Orthodox Churches vis-a-vis the Churches of the East and the West. He declared that in its connections, the Orthodox Church felt a special nearness to Anglicanism as well as a close and historic tie with the Lutheran and other Protestant Churches. He said, "We are united with you in faith, Christians were never fully united, but we feel ourselves closely connected with your own Churches. We are united with you in soul and heart and feel ourselves at liberty to speak with you as brothers and to ask of you when we are in trouble."

3) Practical Recommendations.

It seems clear to the Mission that the immediate way in which help can be given to our brethren in their distress, so as

1) not to detract from the responsibility of the government for making adequate compensation and for re-building the destroyed Churches, and so as

2) to assist the Patriarch in that concern which lies closest to his heart, namely the desperate plight of so many of his people, is to provide assistance to the people in equipping their homes.

Therefore,

a) The Mission strongly recommends an immediate appeal to the Churches for a sum of $ 75,000 for the relief program of the Patriarch, to help to supply the neediest families, including the families of the priests, with basic essentials - such as window glass, pots and pans, bedding and articles for housekeeping.

15,0 Bearing in mind that there will be an ongoing need, a fund should be built up in Geneva (in view of the above considerations, without any publicity) for furnishings and basic equipment of Churches to be re-built. Even on the most optimistic view of compensation to be expected, such a fund will be urgently needed and can be drawn upon as required. Here, the minimum amount needed will be $ 15,000 per annum for the 3-vear period 1956-1958.

b) In making appeals, very great discretion must be exercised in the manner of presentation and it must be stressed that the Patriarch is confident that the government will rebuild the churches, as has been

promised.

4) Further Observations and Recommendations.

a) "Shall we stay or shall we leave?" It became clear to the Mission that thousands of families of the "Greek" and other minorities suffering from shock and tragic loss and desperate insecurity, are asking the question for themselves and their families (the reasons for this will be understood from section IV, "Insecurity in Minority Groups").

1) Among the pressures to stay are the following:

a) The power of tradition. These are mostly Byzantine families whose ancestors were here many centuries before the Turkish conquest and who have no other home or homeland.

b) Their business and property and capital are there, and they could leave only a great financial loss.

c) Great uncertainty about where they could go. Since it is almost out of the question that they could go en bloc, it would mean the complete scattering and shattering of their ancient community.

d) The Patriarchate has a historic place and role of great of importance, but it would make the task of maintaining the Patriarchate much more difficult and would weaken if not jeopardize its position, not to mention reduce its functions and the reality of its mission, if it were left as a residual remnant without people. The Patriarchate is firmly resolved to stay, and it has thus far insisted that the people should also stay.

2) The pressure to leave is based on the following grounds:

a) A profound sense of insecurity for homes, businesses and property.

b) A profound concern for the future security and opportunities for children and descendants. Doubt prevails at present that minorities will be accorded the due rights of citizens, or it is felt that at best they will have only a second- or third-class citizenship. There is fear that hatred will always threaten their children and descendants.

c) The historic ties that bound these ancient families to Istanbul have been greatly weakened, if not severed. Very much of their history - in the ancient churches and Byzantine remains and in the cemeteries where their families were buried - has been crashed, if not obliterated; in other words, many of the ties which in the past made it seem worthwhile to stay, in spite of difficulties and disabilities have now been ruthlessly severed and broken.

3) This is not a question to which the Division of Inter-Church Aid can provide any quick answer, but it should claim our continued attention. The Division will not raise the question or push it, but would consider it only if the Church authorities there were desirous of discussing it. In any case, nothing should be done which might have the effect of reducing the cohesiveness of the "Greek" community at this critical junction of its history.

b) The concern of Member Churches, National Councils, the CCIA and the World Council must continue to be expressed

* that legislation embodying concrete plans be promptly enacted and carried out by the Turkish government, to the end that adequate compensation be rendered for property damage to Churches as well as to homes and shops, and

* that the security of minorities in the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms which every civilized country guarantees to all of its citizens be expressly guaranteed, along with express guarantees of police protection and adequate assurance that a recurrence of violence against minorities will never again be allowed to happen.

The minorities will not regain their sense of security with anything less than the above two requests, and the Republic of Turkey cannot expect to regain the respect and confidence of the rest of the world with anything less than this.

1) Specifically, these two points should be kept before Turkish diplomatic and UN representatives until the promises of restitution begin to be carried out with actual legislation and concrete plans, and until words begin to be carried out in deeds of restitution and reconciliation.

2) It is recommended to the CCIA that stress be laid upon the necessity for the Turkish government to keep its promises, or its shame will be exposed before the world. The obligations are theirs, and they must guarantee the lives and existence of the minorities.

In particular, it is recommended that further steps be taken with the State Department of the United States of America. It is felt that if the Turkish government will be made to understand that American public opinion, the Churches and the State Department mean business in this affair, this will be the strongest factor guaranteeing the existence and the rights of minorities and toward assuring the re¬building of churches.

3) Present financial assistance to Turkey is based on the proposition of strengthening the democratic way of life, which at the very least must include the rights and security of minorities! It should be here repeated that the Mission feels that pressure might be brought to bear by appropriate Church and Inter-Church agencies to the end that the question of compensation be given due consideration in connection with granting of inter-governmental loans and other financial aid to Turkey.

c) The Mission has heard of the interest in some quarters in providing internationalized status for the "Phanar", the Patriarchate, or even for the City of Istanbul. While we have not received any concrete information concerning this proposal, it appears to us, in view of the many tensions and unsolved issues, that such a proposal could not be practically realized, and that this is an unwise suggestion fraught with danger. Not the least danger is that discussions of such a plan outside of Turkey would almost certainly give rise to new fears and suspicions on the Turkish side, and make it more difficult to cultivate an atmosphere in which real solutions might begin to be found.

d) "The Ministry of Reconciliation.

A memorandum has been prepared which will be taken to Ankara and presented to the government by a delegation from the Holy Synod. The memorandum pleads for the security of existence and underlines the loyal citizenship of the "Greek" minority.

The Patriarch is a man of peace who pleads that Christian love may be made effective for removing the hatred and fear that plague men's hearts. He speaks movingly of his eighteen years in the United States. He was Archbishop of North and South America when he returned to Constantinople. The Turkish government had also asked him to come. He had given up his Turkish citizenship about forty years ago, after the Balkan wars, and when he returned to Turkey he received it again. He had always devoted himself for the good of Turkey. In America many years ago, he had lent support even in very high places - to the cause of the "New Turkey" at a time when Turkey had very few friends, though he never expected to return to Turkey.

He deeply desires Turkish-Greek friendship and the peace and progress of the Eastern Mediterranean area.

He recalled that Turkey belongs to UN and has steadily strengthened her ties with the West. Many ask why he did not call upon Great Britain and the United States to intervene, why he did not board a plane and go to the U.S.A. to plead his cause. But could anyone suppose (he asks) that he could change the policy of the UN. "We are all one family", and it would be an impossible course to excite governments against Turkey. "The real problem is to reconcile", he said to the Mission. He told us, "You have a mission to reconcile Turkey and Greece in a real way, and I have that mission, too. I realize the conditions among the nations in this area. I am suffering very deeply in the fate of my people, and I must struggle to see how to reconcile these two peoples."

The policies of the Patriarch have often been criticized in Greek circles, and he has often been regarded as too conciliatory. The members of the Mission have reason to believe, however, that the present policy of the Patriarch finds acceptance with the highest Greek authorities.

5) Results of the "Mission of Fellowship".

The work of the "Mission of Fellowship" should be measured in terms of four results:

a) Expression of Ecumenical fellowship and Solidarity.

The Mission has been able to express to the Patriarchate and the Christian communities in Turkey in this time of great despair and need the sympathy and solidarity of Churches and Christian people around the world. Our visit has strengthened and encouraged many to know that they are not entirely alone in the world.

b) Inter-Church Aid Program.

The Mission has recommended a concrete program of Inter-Church Aid, which although not in any way commensurate to the need will, as it is carried out, relieve some of the misery and give the Christians there the knowledge that their brethren are making an effort to bear one another's burdens. Within the ecumenical fellowship, the crying needs in Istanbul will be recognized as confronting those who are in a position to help, with new opportunities and new responsibilities toward the helpless.

c) The Mission and the Turkish Government.

The Mission was able to express directly to the "Vali "and through him, to the highest authorities of the Turkish government the profound concern of the Member Churches of the World Council and their membership that

1) adequate compensation for destruction and damages to Church buildings be made and

2) the rights of minorities be protected, with guarantees that there shall be no recurrence of violence against them.

The Mission received from the "Vali" assurances from the government side on both these points. It was stressed that the Churches will look for prompt action and legislation implementing these assurances.

d) The Mission and the Action of Member Churches.

The Mission urges the Member Churches and the appropriate ecumenical agencies in the various countries to continue to express to Turkish diplomatic representatives their concern that their assurances given regarding

1) compensation and

2) rights of minorities and guarantees against recurrence be promptly implemented.

Edward R. Hardy Raymond E. Maxwell Robert Tobias Ivor S. Watkins (Bishop of Malmesbury)

Charles Westphal Geneva, November 14,1955

APPENDIX I Responsibility for the Events of September 6,1955.

A useful conversation took place November 10th, with two Turkish intellectuals, both of whom are engaged in humanitarian services. This conversation is quite revealing of certain aspects of the historic, ethnic, economic, cultural, psychological and religious cleavage which for 500 years has haunted the relations between Moslem Turks and the Christian minorities.

The two Moslems with whom we spoke stated that they respected the aims of the World Council and its work and they affirmed that they as Moslems were also desirous of seeing people live together in peace and harmony, with equal rights for all without prejudice or discrimination.

The two men then went on to express their personal opinions concerning the background of - and responsibility for - the events of September 6th.

The resume of the conversation is as follows: There were two acts on September 6th:

1) The beginning was the demonstration by students and intellectuals. The reason for this demonstration was that the Orthodox Church - although it had been allowed to work freely and with complete toleration during 500 years - made politics. They had always acted as national Greeks. They had made espionage and met in secret societies against Turkish policies. They worked to take Constantinople again as a Greek city. The Greeks of Istanbul are not related by race to the Greeks of Greece. They are related to the Romans of "Nova Roma", Byzantium. They stated that Turkish intellectuals of their type want to share customs and to live together. This act was not against churches but against the Greek nation. The Patriarch sent money to Cyprus. They stated that many Orthodox say that the Patriarch caused these events, and they asked if we would like to meet some of these Orthodox. We truthfully pled lack of time. They then said that they could show us churches where the Byzantine eagle still appears in the decoration and they remarked that they were sure that in our country (we were both Americans) this would not be permitted. We replied that in our country - and we believed in other countries - Greek Churches often had the Byzantine eagle. This came as an apparent surprise to them.

2) In the first act - the student demonstration - only a few windows were broken, but after that the government could not stop the riots. It then became an act not only against the Greeks - nation and church - but a proletarian uprising against wealth. Non-Moslems have had many privileges. In the past they were not required to pay taxes or to do military service. As business men they became very rich, and this act was against the wealthy.

The Turks in Russia were also a rich minority, but their money was confiscated after the revolution.

The Patriarch could have easily avoided the whole affair. He only would have needed to express disapproval with the political speeches of Makarios. It was unthinkable that a religious leader should mix in politics in this manner. They had waited a long time for the Patriarch to stop interfering in politics.

At this point we asked whether if a man remains silent, it is fair to interpret such silence as interference in political affairs. This question took them off guard for a moment, and then they said that the silence did not mean interference in politics, but they continued that the Orthodox here have no relations with the Greeks but are Turks, and as such should not place their friendship with Greeks ahead of friendship with Turks.

Then acts of Turkish liberalism were cited:

a) St. Sophia's was closed as a mosque and restored as a museum for all. The Turks should have credit for preserving the Christian antiquities in the churches that had been turned into mosques.

b)The 500th anniversary of the Turkish conquest in 1953 was not celebrated, the government having put a stop to a plan for a great celebration. The celebration was omitted in the interest of friendship for the Greeks. (Did outside pressure also play a role here in view of the Greek-Turkish Alliance in NATO?)

(Note: The official album of the City, however, has several pictures showing this celebration in 1953. Probably the scope of the celebration was reduced. That would seem to be the only way the remark could be understood).

c)When a public almshouse was built 125 years ago, the government erected there a Church, a Mosque and a Synagogue. This is typical of the historic Turkish policy of toleration; there was persecution of Jews when the Turks came 500 years ago, and Orthodox and Jews were both granted freedom for their community life.

It was said that Turks buy in "Greek" shops and give "Greeks" their business, but "Greeks" never buy in their shops. We said that it seemed to us that the greatest tragedy of all was that Moslem and Christian citizens of Turkey could live side by side in the great city of Istanbul and have so little contact, understanding, meeting of minds and hearts.

This conversation has been reported because it seemed to us to be the frank and honest expression of two Turkish intellectuals and reflects something of the attitude of the upper, educated group of society.

That there is prejudice and deep, historic division and bitter economic and cultural rivalry will be at once apparent. That there is very little understanding of the "Byzantine" history of the Orthodox Church which makes it impossible for it to surrender the symbols of its glory, must also be apparent. That there is no understanding of the Patriarch himself, who was urged by leading Turks - aware of his active attitude of friendliness toward the "new" Turkey during his years in America - to leave the United States and accept the post of Patriarch; and no understanding of his policy characterized so often by the Greeks as " Turcophile", and above all, no understanding of the autonomous constitution of Orthodox Churches, by which the Patriarch is not a "Pope" with power to command other Patriarchs and Archbishops, but would only endanger the influence and moral authority attached to his office if ever he tries to do so - this colossal blindness must be apparent.