RF State Duma appeals to Turkish Parliament regarding Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia Cathedral. Photo: duma.gov.ru
On July 7, 2020, the State Duma of the Russian Federation appealed to the Turkish Parliament not to change the status of Hagia Sophia from museum to mosque, according to the official website of the State Duma.
The parliamentarians request to uphold the decision of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, thanks to whom Hagia Sophia, which received the status of a museum in 1935, for many years has become a symbol of peace and interfaith harmony.
“An outstanding monument of Byzantine architecture, a world masterpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage List, this cathedral-museum is one of the most visited sights of Istanbul city by Russian tourists,” the appeal said.
According to the document, it is necessary to take all possible steps in order to prevent a global damage that could be caused by a hasty change in the status of the world famous museum.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the authorities of the Russian Federation called to look to the world significance of Hagia Sophia when deciding on its status.
Read also
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.