On Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024, the new Consul of Turkey in Jerusalem, Mr. Ismail Ҫobanoğlu, was warmly welcomed by Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos as he began his new role.
During their meeting, they engaged in a fascinating discussion about the historical relations between the present Patriarchate and the Ottoman Empire, spanning four centuries (1571-1917). They explored the established Status Quo during this period, as evidenced by firmans, verats, and other Ottoman documents. Additionally, Turkey’s current stance on the multi-religious and multicultural nature of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, which the Patriarchate continues to promote, was a key topic of conversation.