"Best regards": Erdogan signs a decree to change Hagia Sophia's status
The Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul. Photo: rbc.ru
On July 10, 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree changing Hagia Sophia’s status from a museum to a mosque. The Head of State tweeted the photo of the decree with the words "Best regards".
In this decree, the Turkish President refers to the court decision to change the status of Hagia Sophia Cathedral, which was adopted a few hours earlier.
The decree also says: "Decided: to transfer the administration of Aya Sofya to the Diyanet (the Directorate for Religious Affairs of Turkey – Ed.) and open it for divine services".
As reported earlier, on July 10, 2020, the 10th Chamber of the State Council of Turkey annulled the decision of the Council of Ministers of November 24, 1934, to turn the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul from a mosque to a museum.
Read also
Head of the 'Belarusian Autocephalous Church' prayed in Pyriatyn with the OCU
Svyatoslav Login, the leader of the BAOC — unrecognized in the Orthodox world — held a 'joint prayer service' with military chaplains in Poltava Oblast.
Chief Rabbi discusses religious freedom in Ukraine with State Dept official
The participants discussed attacks on religious buildings and cases of pressure on believers.
Monastic tonsure performed in Khust Eparchy
At the diocesan metochion in the village of Synevyrska Poliana, Bishop Mark of Rakhiv performed the rite of rassophore tonsure.
OCU consecrates memorial sign to UPA commander in Volyn
In the village of Botyn, representatives of the OCU supported the state-level glorification of UPA figures by consecrating a memorial to one of its commanders.
UOC deacon dies saving drowning child in Finland
The deacon immediately rushed to help when he saw a child in danger, but was unable to reach the shore himself.
TRC abducts priest of UOC Tulchyn Eparchy
The whereabouts of the UOC archpriest detained by the recruitment officers are currently unknown.