Turkish Supreme Court allows President to change the status of Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia Cathedral. Photo: orthodoxtimes.com
On July 2, 2020, Turkish judges ruled that Kemal Ataturk’s 1934 decree on the status of Hagia Sophia as a museum was and is legal but noted that the current Turkish head of state had the right to decide whether to change it or not, reports "Orthodox Times".
The pro-government press points out, however, that in the event of a positive proposal, it is assumed that the first Muslim prayer will be held on July 15, the fourth anniversary of the failed coup attempt (2016), which may affect the time the final decision will be adopted.
The United States has stepped up pressure on the Turkish side, as evidenced by yesterday’s intervention by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The head of US diplomacy called on the Turkish government to maintain the current status of the monument, following similar statements made by the State Department in recent days.
However, Ankara expressed its astonishment at the US Secretary of State’s statement and responded that Hagia Sophia is the property of Turkey like all cultural assets in the country and that it is an internal affair within Ankara’s sovereign rights.
Read also
Media shows conditions in which persecuted communities of Volyn have to pray
After their churches were seized, UOC faithful are compelled to pray in poorly equipped facilities.
UOC parishioner fined for comments about OCU in Rivne Region
The defendant fully admitted his guilt.
Ministry of Culture attempts to conduct inventory at Pochaiv Lavra
A monastery representative reminded officials that the Lavra fulfills its contractual obligations and uses the property for its intended purpose.
Cherkasy Prosecutor's Office demands seizure of UOC church in Horodyshche
The Cherkasy Regional Economic Court has initiated proceedings upon the prosecutor's lawsuit, with a court hearing already scheduled.
Reserve Director: Relics are exhibits handled by anthropologists
The Chernihiv Reserve's director assured that after the expulsion of the UOC community from the Trinity Cathedral, the relics of the saints have been registered as state property.
Chernihiv official: Nuns are deluded they will stay in convents forever
The director of the Chernihiv Reserve believes that the nuns are illegally residing in the convent and are "propaganda captives".