Erdogan personally checks Hagia Sophia's conversion into a mosque
Erdogan personally checked how Hagia Sophia is being converted into a mosque. Photo: britannica.com
On July 19, 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Hagia Sophia to check how the process of its transformation into a mosque is going, Interfax reports.
Photos of this visit were published by the Turkish leader’s administration.
Preparatory work is being done inside the Cathedral: special means will be installed in Hagia Sophia to cover the icons during prayers, and carpets will be placed on the floor.
The first Muslim service is expected to be held on July 24, with nearly 500 people taking part in it. It has not yet been announced whether the President of Turkey will be among the worshipers.
As reported by the UOJ, the EU spokesman Josep Borrell said earlier: the EU considers the decision of the Turkish authorities to convert Hagia Sophia in Istanbul from a museum into a mosque “regrettable”.
Read also
U.S. congressman changes his view of UOC after speaking with Christians
Don Bacon stated on X that he does not consider the UOC to be “carrying out orders from Moscow.”
Authorities once again allow Dumenko into Near Caves of Kyiv Lavra
The head of the OCU conducted a “service” in the church dedicated to the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple.
Anniversary of UGCC creation to be included in 2026 commemorative dates
A Verkhovna Rada committee has recommended adding the anniversary of the Union of Brest to the calendar of jubilees.
UOC Social Department deliver gifts from His Beatitude to IDP children
Three hundred gifts were presented to children on the feast day of St. Nicholas.
Patriarch Porfirije discusses problems in World Orthodoxy with DECR ROC head
A meeting took place between the Serbian Patriarch and a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Antoniy of Volokolamsk.
Persecuted UOC community in Malyi Kuchuriv marks its patronal feast
In Bukovyna, the persecuted community of St. Nicholas honored the day of his commemoration.