World Council of Churches

Constantinople was the capital of the eastern Christian world since Emperor Constantine in 330 A.D.

Turkey welcomed on Dec. 18 a move by Australia to reopen an investigation into the 1980 murder of two Turkish diplomats by an Armenian terrorist cell.

"This decision, giving hope, even though late, that justice will be ensured may reduce the pain of the relatives of the Turkish martyrs to some extent," the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Turkey on Dec. 17 commemorated two of its diplomats who were assassinated by an Armenian terrorist group in 1980 in Australia.

"We remember with respect our martyrs Şarık Arıyak, Consul General, and Engin Sever, Security Attaché, assassinated by the JCAG terrorist organization in Sydney on 17.12.1980," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Twitter.

The upcoming Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is expected to accept the resignation of Archbishop Demetrios of America and, if necessary, to depose him.

The Holy Synod will meet in Istanbul from Tuesday to Thursday.

BELGRADE - Serbian Patriarch Irinej Friday sent happy Easter wishes to the leaders of all Christian churches who celebrate "the most joyous Christian holiday" on the Western Christian date for Easter Sunday.