Religion and the Cold War Politics: The Election of Athenagoras as Patriarch

Abstract

A critical development during the years of World War II was the change of the USSR’s policy towards the Church and its attempt to make use of the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate on the Orthodox world. This move of the USSR mobilized the United States, which assumed that the Soviet influence in the Balkan countries and the Middle East would be prevented by strengthening the Patriarchate of İstanbul. The US proposed Athenagoras, the Archbishop of North and South America, for the leadership of Phanar; a figure who was expected to be effective in the struggle with Moscow. This proposal was accepted by Turkey and Greece. However, Athenagoras’ election as patriarch was not easily achieved both because he did not have Turkish citizenship and because of the cautious attitude demonstrated by Turkey during the selection process. At the end of the election process during which the United States has taken a cautious stance with Turkey, Athenagoras was elected as the Patriarch. As soon as he started the job, with his pro-US rhetoric and close relations with the Turkish official circles, the new Patriarch showed that he was a cleric who could meet the expectations. Being the religious pillar of the Truman doctrine, as he himself stated, Athenagoras’ efforts were also welcomed by the US and Turkish authorities. At the same time, Athenagoras's pro-Turkish and pro-American stance has caused discomfort within the Greek community over time, leading to some reactions against him.

Keywords

• Patriarchate of İstanbul
• Athenagoras
• Athenagoras

Din ve Soğuk Savaş Politikaları: Athenagoras’ın Patrik Seçilmesi

Abstract

2. Dünya Savaşı yıllarına ilişkin kritik bir gelişme, SSCB’nin Kilise’ye yönelik politikasını değiştirerek, Moskova Patrikhanesi’nin Ortodokslar üzerindeki nüfuzundan yararlanma çabası içerisine girmesi olmuştur. SSCB’nin bu hamlesi, İstanbul Patrikhanesi’nin kuvvetlendirilmesi yoluyla Balkan ülkelerindeki ve Ortadoğu’daki Sovyet etkisinin önünün alınacağını düşünen ABD’yi harekete geçirmiştir. ABD, Fener’in liderliğine, Moskova ile mücadelede etkili olabilecek bir isim olarak Kuzey ve Güney Amerika Başpiskoposu Athenagoras’ı önermiş, bu öneri Türkiye ve Yunanistan tarafından da kabul görmüştür. Bununla birlikte, Athenagoras’ın patrik seçilmesi hem Türk vatandaşı olmaması, hem de Türkiye’nin seçim süreci boyunca göstermiş olduğu ihtiyatlı tavır nedeniyle kolaylıkla gerçekleşmemiştir. Yunanistan’ın aceleci tavrına karşılık Türkiye ile birlikte ABD’nin de tedbirli bir tutum sergilediği sancılı bir sürecin neticesinde ise Athenagoras Patrik seçilmiş; yeni Patrik, ABD yanlısı söylemleri ve Türk resmi çevreleri ile kurduğu yakın ilişkilerle, göreve başlar başlamaz kendisinden beklenenleri karşılayabilecek bir din adamı olduğunu göstermiştir. Bizzat kendisinin de ifade ettiği üzere Truman doktrinin dini ayağını teşkil eden Athenagoras’ın çabaları, ABD’li ve Türk yetkililer tarafından da memnuniyetle karşılanmıştır. Athenagoras’ın Türk ve ABD yanlısı duruşu, zaman içerisinde Rum cemaati içerisinde ise rahatsızlık yaratmış, kendisine yönelik olarak bazı tepkilere yol açmıştır.

Keywords

• İstanbul Patrikhanesi
• Athenagoras•
• Patrik Seçimi
• Moskova Kilisesi

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