Category Archives: Commentary & Politics

What Will Happen Now to Hagia Sophia’s Byzantine Mosaics?

Posted on July 12, 2020 by proverbs6to10

Well. He’s done it. Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has pushed through his plans to annul the status of Hagia Sophia as a museum and turn it back into a mosque. We are all saddened. There is worldwide dismay and … Continue reading →

Posted in Byzantium in the News, Commentary & Politics, Istanbul | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Turkey’s Great Musical Gamble

Posted on May 8, 2014 by proverbs6to10

Another article from the New English Review on an interesting subject. I can only imagine that the situation has got worse sincein the middle east in general since this was first written. By Geoffrey Clarfield. First published in the New … Continue reading →

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The Byzantine Scribe

Posted on March 26, 2014 by proverbs6to10

My thanks to Geoffrey for giving me permission to post this article. By Geoffrey Clarfield First published in the New English Review, August 2010. Many years ago, while walking through the grounds of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian’s greatest temple, the … Continue reading →

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The destruction of the idols: Syria’s patrimony at risk from extremists

Posted on February 17, 2014 by proverbs6to10

Very sad to read but no real surprise. by Patrick Cockburn First published in The Independent 11 Feb 2014 Islamic fundamentalists in Syria have started to destroy archaeological treasures such as Byzantine mosaics and Greek and Roman statues because their … Continue reading →

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Istanbul Patriarchate purchases world’s third oldest church

Posted on September 18, 2012 by proverbs6to10

The world’s reputedly third oldest church, the Byzantine Başmelekler Church, or Taksiyarhon Church, was purchased by the Istanbul patriarchate on Sept. 10, the head priest of Halki Seminary, Professor Elpidophoros Lambriniadis, has announced. First published in Hurriyet Daily News The … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary & Politics, Istanbul | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Bankers at the Gates

Posted on May 28, 2012 by proverbs6to10

FEW Greeks have a good word to say about the European banking system these days. They believe it’s the real reason for their current crisis, having pushed easy money on their politicians and now demanding a pound of financial flesh. … Continue reading →

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Turks sense dawn of new era of power and confidence

Posted on November 26, 2011 by proverbs6to10

This week the Turkish President, Abdullah Gul came to Britain on a successful three day State Visit. Turkey is a rising power and this was demonstrated in a number of ways this week. Perhaps the two most relevant being its … Continue reading →

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Rowan Williams and the PM: when the turbulent priest turns on the ruler

Posted on June 18, 2011 by proverbs6to10

Turbulent priests, schisms, revolts .. nothing changes. David Cameron is not the first leader to find himself profoundly at odds with his country’s leading cleric, writes Michael White by Michael White First published in The Guardian 9 June 2011 Learned … Continue reading →

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Happy Turks

Posted on June 7, 2011 by proverbs6to10

Real democracy is an intricate everyday process, as Turkey has found and continues to learn, writes Abdel-Moneim Said First published in AL-AHRAM It had been at least 10 years since my last visit to Istanbul, the capital of the Byzantine … Continue reading →

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A new evaluation of Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire

Posted on November 24, 2010 by proverbs6to10

An interesting article written from a Turkish perspective. First published in Today’s Zaman by GÖKNUR AKÇADAĞ All research dealing with contemporary mindsets has to hark back to past states and civilizations. It is not possible while following this methodology to … Continue reading →

Posted in Byzantine Events, Byzantium in the News, Commentary & Politics, Istanbul | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Patriarchate is ecumenical

Posted on November 20, 2010 by proverbs6to10

First published in Hurriyet Daily News Friday, November 19, 2010 By MUSTAFA AKYOL BRUSSELS – What brought me to the European capital this time is an international conference organized by the Archons. Never heard of the Archons before? I, at … Continue reading →

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The last Orthodox patriarch in Turkey?

Posted on September 10, 2010 by proverbs6to10

A very interesting report from CNN. First published on CNN.com on 27 August 2010. Istanbul, Turkey (CNN) — Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the living embodiment of an ancient tradition. From his historic base in Istanbul, Turkey, the 270th Patriarch of … Continue reading →

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Rome: the decline and fall of the eastern empire

Posted on June 19, 2010 by proverbs6to10

This is actually a pretty good potted history of the Byzantine Empire. First published in Forth Magazine Fri 11 Jun, 2010. By Chris Gray. ‘PEOPLE MAKE their own history, but they do not make it under circumstances chosen by themselves, … Continue reading →

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Not quite Byzantium

Posted on June 13, 2010 by proverbs6to10

This article is controversial, but so is much of what is written about Greece at the moment. The situation appears not only to be financially painful, but national pride and sensitivities have been hurt as well. EU demands for austerity … Continue reading →

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Centre for Hellenic Studies King’s College London: a new future?

Posted on March 27, 2010 by proverbs6to10

It would be nice to think that all those who joined the petition to save the Department of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies at King’s College London were able to sway the mind of College Principal Rick Trainor. Whatever the … Continue reading →

Posted in Byzantium in the News, Commentary & Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments