ROC regrets Turkey didn’t hear millions of Christians’ concerns over Sophia
Hagia Sophia’s interior in Istanbul. Photo: tui-ukraine.livejournal.com
On July 10, 2020, head of the Department for the Church's Relations with Society and the Media Vladimir Legoyda expressed regret over the decision of the Turkish authorities to change Hagia Sophia’s status from a museum to a mosque, reports "Interfax-Religion”.
Vladimir Legoyda said: "It has to be stated that the concerns of millions of Christians were not heard.”
According to him, "of course, there is still an approval by (Turkish President – Ed.) Erdogan, but today's court decision shows that all calls for extreme sensitivity in this matter have been ignored”.
As reported earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree changing the status of Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque.
Read also
395 UOC churches damaged by shelling since start of war – report
An updated report on damaged religious sites over four years of war in Ukraine includes data on 395 affected UOC churches, as well as hundreds of destroyed or damaged facilities belonging to other denominations.
GOC opens fundraising drive for Sinai Monastery and Holy Sepulchre Church
The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has called on Greece’s metropolises and parishes to collect donations to support the ancient shrines on Sinai and in Jerusalem.
Bancheny Monastery calls on faithful to support Metropolitan Longin in court
The Bancheny Monastery urged believers to come to court and support Metropolitan Longin on March 3 and 4 outside the Hertsa District Court building.
Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem closed amid security threats
In Jerusalem, following a U.S. and Israeli operation in Iran, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was temporarily closed for security reasons.
Zakarpattia to create high-precision 3D models of historic wooden churches
In Zakarpattia, 15 wooden churches dating from the 15th–19th centuries will be digitized to preserve heritage threatened by the war, abandonment, and improper repairs.
Ukraine showcases icons painted on crate lids from Czech artillery shells
The icons, painted on the lids of artillery shell crates, were dedicated to children taken out of Ukraine and displayed in the building of the Czech Senate.