Head of Phanar celebrates Turkish Republic’s anniversary with Erdogan
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pat. Bartholomew celebrate the anniversary of the Turkish Republic. Photo: Vema
On 29 October 2023, Patriarch Bartholomew, together with President Recep Erdogan, began celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of democracy in Turkey, reports Vema.
The head of the Phanar first visited Ankara, where he celebrated the anniversary with Erdogan at a reception at the Presidential Palace.
On the morning of October 30, Bartholomew went together with Turkey’s President to Istanbul, where in the Sultan's pavilion Vahdettin Köşku attended a rich festive programme, listened to the President's speech and had dinner in a narrow circle of officials.
In July 2020, Erdogan turned the Hagia Sophia into a functioning mosque. In response, Patriarch Bartholomew said that the President’s decision upset him.
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