Why It Matters

Most people when asked about the Phanar District have no idea what it is, where it is located or who lives there. The Phanar is located in Istanbul, Turkey and was established by the Apostle Andrew in 33AD. It is the home of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and New Rome Bartholomew, the head of the oldest form of eastern Orthodoxy, The Holy Orthodox Church. He is one of the most influential people in the religious community and environmental community not to mention the leader of the 300 million Orthodox Christians who make up the second largest religious denomination after Catholicism. Sadly many fail to realize who this man is and the perils he and his flock have encountered in Turkey regarding their religion, which has been in existence for over 2,000 years. Founded by Saint Andrew the first called Apostle, the Orthodox Churches presence is strong in the many Orthodox Christians that belong to this faith. Unfortunately it is being imperiled by government resistant countries like Turkey. It is our obligation as people in free countries to help the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the oppressed minorities (Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike) in receiving their fundamental rights endowed by the Creator, freedom. It is after all our church inheritance. Why should Turkish citizens live in fear of being persecuted for their beliefs? The minorities in Turkey should be free to worship in their faiths and not be persecuted for being an open non-Muslim citizen.