Author(s): Yusuf GOCUK
This study investigates the transformation of the four major demands of Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Phanar since Lausanne Peace Treaty with their generalization and legitimization process in terms of identity-threat context. The aim of the study is to elaborate the transformation process of the Demand Repertoire of the Patriarchate, which is mentioned by the Patriarch Bartholomew on every occasion, throughout the Republic Era and to reveal the reasons why the governments do not meet those demands with the help of cultural analysis method. One of the ancient institutions in the history, The Patriarchate was highly favored in political, religious and legal terms by the Ottoman Empire. As a result of nationalism and nation state building and after Lausanne Peace Treaty, it became the religious representative of only a small amount of Orthodox people. However, after the Cold War, in the world reshaped, it has managed to transform into a global actor with the help of the West. With the help of globalization, the abovementioned Demand Repertoire has become more visible. Patriarch Bartholomew I takes the advantage of disintegration of the Soviet Union and makes the Patriarchate gain fame with the direct support of European Union and the United States of America throughout the international public and in Turkey. However, he failed to gain the full support of the Government of Turkey to be able to meet the four major demands. Therefore, it is understood that political traumas like The Treaty of Sevres still have effect on the decisions made by the government as a cultural legacy and nationalism is still the fundamental ingredient in todays politics.
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