Üçüncü, Uğur Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi - Tarih Bölümü, Turkey

The Activities of the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch IV. Meletios in the Great Offensive

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IV. Meletios was Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate’s religious leader during the Great Offensive. Meletios was elected as Patriarch in a manner contrary to the Ottoman laws, through Entente States. Therefore, the Ottoman Government did not accept him as Patriarch. Meletios acted on behalf of Greece after being Patriarch. He gave limitless support to the Greece s Anatolian case religious, political, social, and economic aspects in process of the Great Offensive. He spent a huge effort in favour of Greece against Turkey not only in the country and also in the international arena. The Turks met his activities with disgust. The Turkish Army launched the Great Offensive from Kocatepe in Afyonkarahisar under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Pasha, Supreme Commander, on 26 August 1922. This victory was a great defeat not only for Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and also Patriarch Meletios in Istanbul. Meletios was removed from Istanbul after the Great Offensive. Then He was forced to resign. Thus, Meletios’ activities in the process of the Great Offensive were cost expensive to for him. In this study, Patriarch Meletios’ activities in process of the Great Offensive will be enlightened according to the archival documents, newspapers and official records.

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The Great Offensive , the National Struggle , Istanbul , the Patriarchate , Meletios

Afyon Kocatepe University Journal Of Social Sciences

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