Erdogan says Hagia Sophia returned to its original identity

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: romfea.gr

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the status of a mosque expresses the original identity of Hagia Sophia, reports the Greek resource "Romfea".

According to Erdogan, the decision to turn the Hagia Sophia into a mosque "heralds a new era in world politics."

“After 86 years of longing, we experienced the happiness of returning Hagia Sophia to its original identity,,” the Turkish leader said. He also expressed his joy at the conversion of the Chora Monastery into a mosque.

Erdogan believes that the decisions on Hagia Sophia and the Chora Monastery are balanced by the opening of the Soumela Monastery.

“After Hagia Sophia, the opening of the Soumela Monastery, after the restoration works were completed, showed to everyone, friends and enemies, that our country has no complex regarding religious freedom,” the Turkish President said.

As reported, the head of the Greek Church said that the Panagia Soumela Monastery became the object of political games of the Turkish President.

Read also

Court to choose preventive measure for Met. Arseniy in Dnipro on December 5

The prosecutor demands that the detention of the UOC hierarch be extended.

Khmelnytskyi Eparchy delivers 20 tons of food to Kyiv Theological Schools

Believers of the UOC eparchy collected vegetables, grains, and oil for KDAiS students.

Pashinyan forbids priests to mention Armenian Church head during services

The Prime Minister of Armenia publicly confirmed that state structures demand that Catholicos Karekin II be not commemorated during services attended by the politician.

Pope and Slovak President discuss consequences of war in Ukraine for Europe

During the meeting, the Pontiff and the Slovak President discussed the international situation, with particular attention to the war in Ukraine.

UOC monastery in Kniazhychi faces imminent takeover – lawyer

A UOC lawyer has reported a risk of the forcible eviction of the brethren of the Transfiguration Monastery on the morning of December 5.

Orthodox Church in Czech Republic faces threat of losing special rights

The Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic has initiated administrative proceedings against the Church amid the bankruptcy of the Prague Diocese.