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PATRIARCHATE AGAINST HAGIA SOPHIA OPENING
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/patriarchate-against-hagia-sophia-opening.aspx?pageID=238&nID=40643&NewsCatID=393
A Fener Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate spokesman announced that they do
not favor the idea of Hagia Sophia in Trabzon opening for prayers.
Hurriyet photo Vercihan [email protected]
The Fener Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate supports the continued use of
the historical Hagia Sophia in Trabzon as a museum, not as a mosque.
"As is known, Trabzon is not urgently in need of a mosque, and it
is also known that there is no Orthodox community there. The best
way is to keep the church as a museum," Dositheos Anagnostopulos,
the Patriarchate's press officer told the Hurriyet Daily News in a
phone interview yesterday.
The Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate holds annual ceremonies in the
Sumela Monastery in Trabzon province with a special permit issued by
the Ministry of Culture.
Asked whether the Patriarchate would demand to hold ceremonies in Hagia
Sophia as well, Anagnostopulos said that if the ministry permitted
it and the Orthodox community desired it, this would be their duty,
not only a desire.
The Foundations Directorate had announced Feb. 4 that the Hagia Sophia
in Trabzon would soon be opened up for prayers.
Foundations Directorate Head Adnan Ertem said five of the seven
Hagia Sophias nationwide were currently functioning as mosques, but
two were still inactive, adding that the culture minister was the
"occupying force" in the decision to reopen Trabzon's Hagia Sophia.
"We have won the court case regarding the situation," Ertem said. "We
are planning to open the place for prayers again after the necessary
processes are completed."
The Hagia Sophia Museum was first dedicated as an Orthodox patriarchal
basilica in 360 A.D. Until the year of 1453 it served as the Greek
Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople. Following the city's conquest
by the Ottoman Empire, the building was converted into a mosque in
1453 and remained so until 1931, when it was closed to the public for
four years. It was reopened by the republican authorities in 1935 as
a museum.
February/07/2013
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/patriarchate-against-hagia-sophia-opening.aspx?pageID=238&nID=40643&NewsCatID=393
A Fener Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate spokesman announced that they do
not favor the idea of Hagia Sophia in Trabzon opening for prayers.
Hurriyet photo Vercihan [email protected]
The Fener Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate supports the continued use of
the historical Hagia Sophia in Trabzon as a museum, not as a mosque.
"As is known, Trabzon is not urgently in need of a mosque, and it
is also known that there is no Orthodox community there. The best
way is to keep the church as a museum," Dositheos Anagnostopulos,
the Patriarchate's press officer told the Hurriyet Daily News in a
phone interview yesterday.
The Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate holds annual ceremonies in the
Sumela Monastery in Trabzon province with a special permit issued by
the Ministry of Culture.
Asked whether the Patriarchate would demand to hold ceremonies in Hagia
Sophia as well, Anagnostopulos said that if the ministry permitted
it and the Orthodox community desired it, this would be their duty,
not only a desire.
The Foundations Directorate had announced Feb. 4 that the Hagia Sophia
in Trabzon would soon be opened up for prayers.
Foundations Directorate Head Adnan Ertem said five of the seven
Hagia Sophias nationwide were currently functioning as mosques, but
two were still inactive, adding that the culture minister was the
"occupying force" in the decision to reopen Trabzon's Hagia Sophia.
"We have won the court case regarding the situation," Ertem said. "We
are planning to open the place for prayers again after the necessary
processes are completed."
The Hagia Sophia Museum was first dedicated as an Orthodox patriarchal
basilica in 360 A.D. Until the year of 1453 it served as the Greek
Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople. Following the city's conquest
by the Ottoman Empire, the building was converted into a mosque in
1453 and remained so until 1931, when it was closed to the public for
four years. It was reopened by the republican authorities in 1935 as
a museum.
February/07/2013