Greek Foreign Ministry promises to develop a plan to protect Hagia Sophia
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias. Photo: ria.ru
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and Culture Minister Lina Mendoni agreed to set up a working group, which will propose within ten days a specific action plan on the issue of Hagia Sophia that will be implemented in the near future, reports the Internet resource “The Orthodox Times”.
The meeting of the two Greek ministers was attended by the UNESCO Ambassador for Greece, Maria Diamantopoulou, the President of the Hellenic National Committee for UNESCO, Aikaterini Tzitzikosta, and other officials.
The Greek Foreign Minister stated after the meeting that they have repeatedly stressed that the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque does not constitute a Greek-Turkish dispute. So, they have decided to raise the issue through international initiatives, talking to all the International organizations, with UNESCO being the leading organization.
“Our goal is to protect this monument that has universal value. Besides, it has been registered as such in UNESCO. The universality of the Hagia Sophia monument was highlighted by the reactions of the international community. We want, therefore, to create an umbrella of specific actions, which will strive for the effective protection of this centuries-old monument,” stressed Nikos Dendias.
On her part, the Minister of Culture stated that the issue of Hagia Sophia is not an issue that concerns the two countries, that is, Greece and Turkey.
“Hagia Sophia is one of the most important human creations, it is one of the most important monuments, which is the epitome of many ecumenical values. It is these universal values that are in danger of being lost from the conversion of the monument into a religious mosque. I believe that the level of discussion was such that it creates prospects for the Greek government as a whole to deal with this issue in the international community,” resumed Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.
Earlier, the Greek Foreign Minister discussed the issue of the Hagia Sophia with the US Ambassador to Athens Geoffrey Pyatt.
Read also
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."
His Beatitude Onuphry: Through fasting, man returns to Paradise
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about Adam's fall and urged them to repent before Great Lent.
Archbishop of Greece speaks about his successor and the Church's future
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of his leadership of the Greek Church, the Primate gave an interview in which he spoke about relations with the state, the situation in Sinai, and the challenges of the modern world.
In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years
In Barcelona, a glass cross was installed on the Sagrada Familia temple, completing the central tower and bringing the building to the height of 172.5 meters.
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra
During Cheesefare Week, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, addressed the flock with a sermon, and offered prayers for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's people.
In Hnidyn, St. Nicholas Church of UOC damaged by shelling
As a result of shelling, the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Hnidyn of the Boryspil Eparchy was damaged.