Letter to the Turkish Ambassador to the United States on the Bombing at the Ecumenical Patriarchate

OCA Chancery
Syosset, New York

October 4, 1996

The Hon Nuzhet Kandemir,

Ambassador of Turkey to the United States

Turkish Embassy

1714 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20036

Dear Ambassador Kandemir,

The bombing which occurred in Istanbul against the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate on September 30, 1996, was a grave violation of fundamental religious expression and human rights. Although there was physical damage to the Cathedral of St George and nearby residential quarters, we can only be thankful that no personal injury was sustained by the pious inhabitants of these sacred grounds.

On behalf of the hierarchs, clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, we respectfully ask you to utilize every means available to your high office to ensure that such acts of violence against religious and innocent people be prevented in the future.

Thanking you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter, I am

Sincerely,

+ THEODOSIUS

Archbishop of Washington,

Metropolitan of All America and Canada