Initiative against abuse of religious institution: Patriarch Bartholomew I generates International Crisis

The Center for geostrategic studies launched the initiative as a reaction to the illegal actions of Patriarch Bartholomew I, which lead to the creation of a schism in Orthodoxy. The aim of this initiative is to draw the attention of the world public to the destructive activity of Patriarch Bartholomew I and the abuse of the religious institution of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, which has been turned into an instrument of politics. This topic has been discussed recently International Conference "The Patriarchate of Constantinople as an instrument of politics, the destructive activity of Patriarch Bartholomew I", which attracted the great public attention .

Photo: Dragana Trifković and Dane Čanković in front of the Embassy of Turkey in Belgrade

As part of this initiative aimed at preventing abuse of religious institutions, professors, as well as social activists from associations and political movements, addressed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in writing. The letter, which Dragana Trifkovic, general director of the Center for geostrategic studies from Belgrade and Dane Cankovic, president of the Serbian people's movement "The choice is ours" from Banja Luka, submitted on behalf of all signatories, states that it is inadmissible to abuse religious institutions to incite and create international crises leading to ethnic and religious conflicts. Given that Patriarch Bartholomew I is a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, his illegal actions draw the Turkish state into international intrigues, especially because Patriarch Bartholomew I is actively engaged in international politics. The letter for the president of Turkey was handed over to the service of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Belgrade.

In addition, social activists put up posters in Belgrade, in order to draw the attention of the public to the destructive action of Patriarch Bartholomew I, about which there is not enough talk. Below we transmit the text of the letter addressed to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as the list of the signatories of the initiative.

Photo: Posters in Belgrade

Dear Mr. Erdogan,

We address you as the president of the Republic of Turkey regarding the extremely problematic illegal actions of the Turkish citizen Patriarch Bartholomew I, which affects the creation of tensions and the increase of distrust in international relations. His activities led to the politicization of religion and the creation of schisms in Orthodoxy, turning the Patriarchate of Constantinople into an instrument of politics. Such actions grossly violate human rights and freedoms, especially people's religious rights.

We recall the fact that the Treaty of Lausanne (1923), which defined the status of the Greek Patriarchate in Istanbul, did not contain provisions on the international jurisdiction of this religious institution. In this regard, it is evident that Patriarch Bartholomew does not respect international agreements and that his activities deeply affect the political and internal affairs of other states and churches, including the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church and so on.

In times of inter-ethnic and inter-religious conflict, such action does not contribute to the achievement of peace and mutual understanding, while at the same time undermining Turkey's international reputation. It is inadmissible that abuse of religious institutions incites and creates international crises leading to ethnic and religious conflicts. In this regard, it is necessary to take measures to combat international crises, prevent the deterioration of international relations, as well as to sanction illegal actions. We sincerely hope that you will have an understanding for our initiative, which is dedicated to the preservation of peace, international law and good international relations.

Hearty greetings,

Dragana Trifkovic, Director General of the Center for geostrategic studies

Serbia, Belgrade

In Belgrade, 7. April 2025.

The initiative was supported:

Dane Čanković, president of the Serbian people's movement "The choice is ours", Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nikola Milovancev, lawyer, Center for geostrategic studies, Slovenia

Dmitry Vasilets, chairman of the party "State", Ukraine

Dmitry Belyakov, director of the "Center for the study of the perspective of integration of the Eurasian Economic Union", Belarus

Dr. Srdjan Perišić, professor of the University of E. Sarajevo, advisor to the president of the Republic of Srpska, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dr Dejan Mirović, professor of international law, Serbia

Yuri Derkach, president of the Ukrainian organization "Rodina", Ukraine

Marija Janjusevic, member of the Serbian Parliament (since 2016 by 2020.), president of the Association "Treasury of lasting values", Serbia

Marko Jakšić, member of the Serbian Parliament (since 2000 until 2014.), member of the presidency of the people's movement of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija "Fatherland", Serbia

Alen Novalija, master of medieval studies, Slovenia

…. and many others.

Source: Center for Geostrategic Studies

8. April 2025.