Churches of Jerusalem, Romania, Georgia weigh in on Agia Sophia affair

Istanbul, July 10, 2020

Photo: fethiyetimes.com Photo: fethiyetimes.com     

Following statements from Patriarchs Bartholomew and Kirill and the Church of Greece, the Patriarchs of the Churches of Jerusalem and Romania and the Patriarchate of Georgia have also raised their voices concerning Turkish officials’ plans to convert the iconic Agia Sophia into a mosque.

Meanwhile, Turkish media is claiming that an official decision from Turkey is expected today.

On Wednesday, July 8, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem stated: “It is with utmost seriousness that We express Our concern over recent calls from members of the Turkish government to alter the current status of the Agia Sophia from a museum to a mosque.”

“This magnificent Byzantine Church structure, which captivates the world until today, has a history stretching even farther back into Christendom than the 6th century,” he continued, noting that it is to Turkey’s credit that it has maintained the cathedral as a museum for nearly 100 years, “in order to maintain an extent of neutrality over the site.”

As a museum open to all, Agia Sophia remains “a symbol of tolerance,” His Beatitude said, noting that the Church’s experience of protecting holy sites in Jerusalem for 2,000 years testifies that accessibility “promotes peace and mutual respect.”

The same day, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania sent a letter to Pat. Bartholomew expresses the Romanian Church’s support for maintaining Agia Sophia’s status as a museum.

“The initiative of the Romanian Patriarchate takes into account the inestimable value of this basilica, unanimously recognized as a symbol of Christian faith and civilization and of universal art, which determined its inclusion in the universal cultural heritage of UNESCO in 1985,” the Romanian Church’s press release reads.

“In this context, the Patriarch of Romania,” together with all the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful of the Romanian Orthodox Church, “expresses his solidarity with all those who defend this symbol of the universal Orthodox Church,” the statement reads.

In a statement published yesterday, the Georgian Orthodox Church also called upon Turkish leaders to show some wisdom and leave Agia Sophia as a museum.

The Georgian Church is closely following the news surrounding the fate of the building, according to the statement.

“At a time when humanity is facing many global challenges, it is very important to maintain and strengthen good relations between Christians and Muslims,” the Patriarchate stressed. “We believe that it would be a wise step if Agia Sophia remains a neutral space.”

The Church also expresses the hope that Turkish officials will not interpret their statement as interference in internal Turkish affairs, but rather as an expression of “the opinion and heartache of one of the oldest Orthodox Churches.”

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7/10/2020

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Comments
Gary8/25/2020 1:01 pm
Dima, you are correct!
Theodoros 7/13/2020 5:36 am
Dear Deakon Tariku Abera My name is Theodoros. Aghia Sophia was built under the auspices of Saint-Emperor Justinian of Constantinople between 532 and 537 as the Cathedral of Constantinople. Its two predecessors had been destroyed either in riots or earthquake. The Cathedral literally means in Greek Church of the Holy Wisdom of God. It is named for Christ himself. Aghia Sophia was the Patriarchal cathedra until 1453 when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks. At the peak of the civilization of Christian Constantinople, the envoys of Prince Vladimir of Kiev attended the services in Aghia Sophia and were so overwhelmed they recommended to the great Prince Vladimir that Russia should accept Eastern Orthodox Christianity. In 1452 the Greek faithful of Constantinople stopped attending services in the Great Church to protest the arrival of the Pope's emissaries who demanded that the decisions of the heretical council of Florence and the false union between Latins and Greeks be formally proclaimed in Saint Justinian's Church- a blasphemous act. On May 29 1453 Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks. The faithful who worshipped in the Cathedral were take away by the Ottoman Turks and enslaved. Aghia Sophia became a Mosque. For centuries, Orthodox Russia sought to liberate Constantinople but was thwarted by the western powers as was modern Greece in 1922. In 1934, the secular government of Turkey made Aghia Sophia a Museum. During the 1930's the Byzantine Institute of America conducted restoration work in Aghia Sophia which led to the uncovering of the beautiful and divinely inspired iconography of the Great Church. Aghia Sophia was formally proclaimed a Mosque again on July 10, 2020. The Eastern Orthodox Churches of Constantinople, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Russia, Serbia, Rumania, Georgia, Albania, Greece, and Cyprus have formally objected to the change of status for Aghia Sophia as have the governments of Russia, Greece, and the United States.
Dima7/13/2020 12:21 am
It is quite disappointing to see the hierarchs merely call for keeping Agia Sophia as a museum. Even this is wrong! It was built by Christians as a Christian church, and should be nothing other than a Christian church.
Deacon Tariku Abera7/11/2020 1:54 pm
Hello dear sir/Madam l am a preacher in Ethiopian Orthodox Church. I would like to appreciate your effort to give recent information for the people regarding the issue of Agia Sofia. If it is possible could you send me any detail history about Agia Sofia from the beginning in the christian era. Thanks a lot Deacon Tariku Abera
Theodoros 7/10/2020 7:17 pm
The show of solidarity by the local Churches for Hagia Sophia is wonderful to see As a Greek I also express my support and prayers for the suffering Churches in Ukraine and Montenegro. I am Greek but I firmly believe the Churches of Constantinople, Alexandria, and Greece must repent for the wrongs they have done in Ukraine. If they were to repent for these wrongs this occasion could serve as a real opportunity for a renewed Orthodox unity.
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