09/28/2020 Turkey (International Christian Concern) –  An orphanage owned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate located in Istanbul has begun to collapse, warns residents. It is one of Europe’s largest wooden buildings, and many are concerned that it cannot survive the upcoming winter.

Many have pointed out that the Patriarchate has been twice victimized by the Turkish authorities. First when Turkey seized their orphanage. Second when Turkey returned the orphanage in a state of complete neglect, leaving the church with an insurmountable bill for needed repairs.

The building was donated to the Patriarchate in 1903 and used as an orphanage until 1964, when it was seized by the Turkish State as part of the forced expulsion of Turkish citizens of Greek Orthodox identity. The Patriarchate was not able to regain legal control of the orphanage until 2010. Just two years later, the World’s Monuments Fund named the orphanage as one of the most endangered heritage sites in the world.

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