ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the 1924 patriarchal election and subsequent expulsion of Patriarch Constantine. It focuses on the contrast between official positions and behind-the-scenes negotiations with regards to the exchangeability and citizenship status of the prelates in an attempt to challenge established views about the policies of Greece and Turkey towards the Patriarchate and vice versa. The chapter analyses the degree of the Patriarchate's incorporation into the Republic of Turkey. The decision regarding the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate was taken during the Lausanne Peace Conference. On the day of the Patriarchate's dispatch, the patriarchal issue was discussed at the main Commission of the conference. The Greek diplomat also referred to the difficulties of electing a non exchangeable patriarch, since the Turkish government perceived all the members of the Synod as exchangeable. The neutralization of the ultranationalist Ergenekon organization, which, among other activities, was plotting against the Patriarchate.
