Lambriniadis: "Time is right to reopen Halki"

Elpidophoros Lambriniadis, metropolitan of Bursa and chief priest of the Halki Seminary on Heybeliada Island, said that a date has not been given yet, but that Istanbul’s Halki Greek Orthodox Seminary was ready to reopen after being closed for four decades. "Everything is ready for the reopening of the seminary. No specific pledge or date has been given to us, but we believe the time has come for it because public opinion, the media, the state and even the opposition are ready. We are hopeful, excited and waiting," Lambriniadis said, adding, "We believe that the time has come; however our state sees it, they should act thusly." Lambriniadis also said that Turkish was also taught at the school. "Any institution giving education in Turkey cannot neglect the language of the state. We want those who study here to learn Turkish as well," Lambriniadis added.