Armenian Muslims Baptized in Turkey

Dozens of Armenians whose ancestors were forced to convert to Islam after the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire were baptized today in the newly reopened Church of St. Cyriacus in Diyarbakir, a city in southeastern Turkey. Archbishop Aram (Atesyan), administrator of the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople, celebrated the baptisms. Archbishop Vicken (Ayvazian), an auxiliary of the Eastern American Diocese of the Armenian Orthodox Church of Echmiadzin, Metropolitan Mor Philoxinos (Cetin) of Constantinople of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and a spokesman of the Ecumenical Patriarchate were also present. More here.

Inter-Religious Iftar Held in Constantinople

In honor of Ramadan and to witness to inter-religious harmony leaders of Constantinople's Orthodox Christian, Jewish, and Muslim residents have celebrated an iftar (the evening meal that breaks the daytime fast kept by Muslims during Ramadan) in the former imperial capital, with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Arhondonis) of the Constantinopolitan Orthodox Church, Archbishop Aram (Ateshian) of the Armenian Orthodox Church of Constantinople, and Metropolitan Mor Filuxinos (Yusuf) of the Syriac Orthodox Church in western Turkey participating. More here and (in Greek) here.

Turkish Minister Visits Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Constantinople

Turkey's minister for talks with the European Union has visited the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Turkey, St. Mary's Church in Constantinople, and met with Metropolitan Mor Philoxenos (Cetin), head of the patriarchal Vicariate of Constantinople, to discuss the place of Turkey's native Suryoyo minority in Turkish life. More here.