The Ecumenical Patriarch threatened that he will approach the European Court for the human rights of 23 church properties, which were seized by the Turkish state and rented to private owners. The Patriarch visited Edirne, where he met with the church colony in the city and with scientists from Northern Greece, who were visiting at the time. He performed a mass in “Saint George” - old church, built on top of the Byzantium walls of Edirne.

“Two meters behind the altar and inside, in the yard they are playing pool! Every time I come here and even in other places in the provinces, I see the same things I get filled up with bitterness and anger,” said Bartholomew. The Directorate General has auctioned the properties of the Edirne church “Saint George” and the old school in the church’s yard has been sold to a businessman, who has turned it into a coffee shop with pool tables. Bartholomew believes this case is “extremely unfair” and said that this is done not only in Edirne but in many other places around the Turkish province.

In his speech after the mass the Patriarch said that the Council of the Ecumenical Patriarchy has decided to turn to the court and to take back all properties under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchy and if needed the European Court for human rights will be involved. Bartholomew reminded that the institution has ruled in favor of the Patriarchy twice – for opening the Patriarch school in Istanbul and for the orphanage on the Prince’s Islands.