"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
Armenian Church to hold council in Austria despite government obstacles
The Episcopal Council of the Armenian Church will take place in St. Pölten, even though a number of bishops have been banned from leaving the country and several hierarchs remain in custody.
Moldovan Metropolis bishop and faithful blocked inside a church in Moldova
Police blocked access to a church in the village of Dereneu, where Archbishop Petru of the Moldovan Church and parishioners were inside.
Why Phanar recognized UAOC ordinations involving self-proclaimed bishop – historian
The Phanar compared the participation of impostor Chekalin in the UAOC ordinations to zero in mathematics: whether you multiply by zero or divide by zero, the result is still one.
Pashinyan compares Armenian Church clergy to Islamists
The Armenian prime minister said in an interview that radical political sermons are being delivered in Armenian churches.
Turkish and Greek leaders to discuss religious agenda with Pat. Bartholomew
The President of Turkey and the Prime Minister of Greece will hold a meeting and official dinner with Patriarch Bartholomew in Ankara.
Kharkiv metropolitan offers condolences after tragedy in Bohodukhiv
Metropolitan Onufriy sent words of support to the mother of three young children who were killed, as well as to their father, in Kharkiv Region.