Greek Ministry of Culture: Turkey can be culturally isolated due to Sophia
Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni. Photo: orthodoxtimes.com
The Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated that with his decision to change the status of Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque, Erdogan "isolates Turkey culturally", reports "Orthodox Times”.
The decision of the Turkish Council of State to change the status of Hagia Sophia is “the result of the political will of Turkish President Erdogan” and also “is a blatant provocation against the whole civilised world that recognises the unique value and the universality of the monument,” the Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, said in a statement.
She added, “The nationalism shown by President Erdogan is not appropriate for the situation and, therefore, he leads his country six centuries back.” She also stressed, “Hagia Sophia does not lose its glamour and its universal nature, only because the Turkish Council of State gave in, President Erdogan has decided to isolate Turkey culturally.”
The Greek official also stressed that in her opinion, the decision of the Turkish Council of State fully confirmed that there was “no judicial independence in Turkey”.
As reported earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signed a decree changing the status of Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque.
Read also
Orthodox Church celebrates feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Even during his lifetime, St. Nicholas became renowned as a zealous defender of the Orthodox faith and a great wonderworker.
U.S. lobby for Ukraine calls rallies in defense of UOC a risk – source
In a document by a Washington-based coalition, rallies in defense of the UOC were described as a problematic factor for lobbying Kyiv’s interests in the United States.
Relics of Job and Amphilochius brought from Pochaiv to Khmelnytskyi
The shrine was delivered to St. Nicholas Cathedral with the blessing of the abbot of the Pochaiv Lavra.
In Cherkasy, city council transfers land under seized cathedral to OCU
According to media reports, the decision was made under pressure.
In Volodymyr, MP announces eviction of UOC cathedral community from its chapel
After being expelled from the Dormition Cathedral, the UOC community in Volodymyr has been crammed into a tiny chapel.
Court hearing on eviction of monks from Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra postponed
The judge in the case on evicting monks from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra went on sick leave an hour before the hearing.