U.S. State Dept. calls on Turkey to maintain museum status of Hagia Sophia
Sam Brownback Photo: wikiwand.com
On June 25, 2020, U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, called on the Turkish government to maintain the status of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul as a museum. The American politician wrote about this on his Twitter.
According to him, “The Hagia Sophia holds enormous spiritual & cultural significance to billions of believers of different faiths around the world”.
In this regard, Brownback on behalf of the US government called on Turkey “to maintain it as a UNESCO World Heritage site & to maintain accessibility to all in its current status as a museum”.
Earlier media reported that Hagia Sophia is already being prepared for conversion into a mosque, later one of the leaders of the Turkish political party “Saadet Partisi” Abdullah Sevim suggested painting the face of Seraphim on the dome of this cathedral as soon as possible.
On June 15, 2020, the Turkish Minister of Justice Abdulhamit Gul announced the need to open Hagia Sophia for Muslim prayer.
Read also
At the Zimne Monastery, an event was held in support of families of fallen soldiers
The Holy Dormition Monastery in Volhynia hosted an event to support mothers and loved ones of servicemen killed in the war.
Great schema tonsure performed in Mohyliv-Podilskyi Eparchy
The rite of tonsure into the great schema at St. Paraskeva Church in Mohyliv-Podilskyi was performed by the secretary of the Vinnytsia Eparchy.
UOC’s Myltsi monastery brethren appeal to U.S. authorities for protection
The monks of the St. Nicholas Monastery in Volhynia are asking J.D. Vance and Anna Paulina Luna to defend their rights and help prevent their possible eviction.
Teen who set fire to synagogue sentenced in Kryvyi Rih
A court sentenced a minor to two years of probation supervision after he admitted guilt and compensated for damages caused by the arson of a synagogue building.
"KyivPride" organizers announced dates for holding LGBT march in capital
Activists plan to hold mass events in June 2026.
Monastic tonsures performed at Kyiv Theological Academy
The Rector of the Kyiv Theological Schools, Archbishop Sylvester, tonsured four students of the academy and seminary into monasticism.