Patriarch Bartholomew attends Islamic iftar dinner at Istanbul Greek lyceum
The Ecumenical Patriarch took part in a Muslim evening meal alongside Turkish officials inside a Greek educational institution.
On March 16, 2026, during the month of Ramadan, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew attended a Muslim iftar dinner at the historic Zographeion Greek Lyceum in Istanbul. The head of the Phanar visited at the official invitation of the school’s administration, according to the website of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Among those attending the event were several high-ranking guests, including the governor of the Beyoğlu district, as well as the directors general of the Istanbul and Beyoğlu education departments. Representatives of minority communities, along with school principals and deputy principals, were also present at the dinner.
The organizers said the presence of the Orthodox Patriarch at the Muslim meal was meant to underscore the importance of interreligious dialogue and the “peaceful coexistence” of the city’s various religious communities. Zographeion Lyceum, one of the oldest educational centers of the Greek Orthodox community, continues to serve as a guardian of cultural heritage and a bridge between different institutions in Constantinople.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew had dined with Erdoğan at a Muslim iftar.
