Erdogan promises Putin to safeguard Christian shrines in Hagia Sophia
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: ria.ru
On July 13, 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised Russian President Vladimir Putin to ensure the safety of Christian shrines of Hagia Sophia which had been converted into a mosque. The results of the telephone conversation between the Heads of two States were reported in the Kremlin press service.
“Vladimir Putin drew the attention of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to a significant public outcry in Russia caused by the decision to change the status of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul,” the press service said. “The President of Turkey gave relevant explanations, noting that access to this unique monument of world civilization will be guaranteed for all comers, including foreign citizens, and Christian shrines will be preserved.”
On July 10, the Turkish State Council announced that Hagia Sophia would become a mosque.
Read also
Vatican again lets OCU approach St. Nicholas' relics
With the assistance of the Ukrainian embassy, OCU clerics served a “liturgy” in the crypt of the papal basilica in Bari.
Exhibition about “church rascism” touring across Ukraine
Experts believe the exhibition about “church rascism” is aimed at the UOC, since the authorities portray it as “Moscow's.”
Cypriot hierarch calls 2026 the year of "spiritual trials"
Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou warned the faithful about coming trials and urged repentance and participation in the Divine Liturgy.
Metropolitan Lazar (Shvets) departs to the Lord
At the age of 86, Metropolitan Lazar of Simferopol and Crimea has reposed in the Lord.
UOC deacon's family home burned down in Pohreby, believers ask for help
After a gas explosion, two sons of Deacon Olexiy Orlov underwent surgeries, the family asks for prayers and help in finding housing.
Britain records highest number of abortions in history
In England, Scotland and Wales, nearly 300 thousand abortions were performed in 2023.