Erdogan: We have right to convert Hagia Sophia into mosque
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Фото: rbc.ru
Turkish President Recep Erdogan said that the Turkish authorities have the right to return the status of a mosque to Hagia Sophia, according to Orthodox Times.
According to him, “When Mohammed entered the city (of Constantinople – Ed.), he was welcomed as a saviour. It was as if they were waiting for him. Hagia Sophia, instead of being demolished due to religious hatred, became more beautiful and was offered to Muslims after the Fall. It was a right granted to them (Muslims – Ed.),” noted the Turkish leader.
Erdogan reiterated that Muslims "did not touch any religious monuments, which remained intact in order to respond to our needs."
At the same time, the Turkish president noted that Islamic religious monuments and symbols disappeared in places "where we were forced to leave a century ago."
He recalled that “there is no mosque in Athens. Everything was demolished. But we didn’t do so. The greatness of our ancestors reigns supreme in our actions.”
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Muslims celebrated the anniversary of the Fall of Constantinople in the temple of Hagia Sophia.
Read also
Pat. Theophilos urges diplomats to protect Christians' rights in Holy Land
The Primate of the Jerusalem Church called on the international community to protect the freedom of worship in the Holy City and Christians of the Holy Land.
Patriarch Bartholomew: Like Christ, we hear only slander from our children
The head of the Constantinople Patriarchate stated that, like the Lord, he hears only accusations from his children.
UOC hierarchs and Romanian clergy consecrate frescoes of Bykovyna monastery
In Bukovyna, the clergy of the Ukrainian and Romanian Orthodox Churches consecrated the wall paintings of the monastery church "Slatina" in Krasnoilsk.
State TV shows how many people attend Chernihiv cathedral seized from UOC
Footage from "Suspilne Chernihiv" shows about 10 people at the Sunday service of the OCU in the Transfiguration Cathedral in Chernihiv.
In Berezhany, UGCC given monastery where colony was located
The sacred building on the territory of the former juvenile colony will once again become a place of religious life.
English Prince supports Archbishopess after scandal during her appointment
Prince William publicly supported the new head of the Church of England after an incident at the ceremony where a protest against her appointment was stopped.