Greek Patriarch speaks of Hagia Sophia conversion
Greek Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople (Istanbul) recently expressed his concern over Turkish plans to convert the Hagia Sophia cathedral into a mosque. The patriarch said, “What can I say as a Christian clergyman and the Greek patriarch in Istanbul? Instead of uniting, a 1,500-year-old heritage is dividing us. I am saddened and shaken.”
The Hagia Sophia cathedral was once the center of eastern Christianity, but was converted into a mosque with the Ottoman conquest just over 500 years ago. When the Ottoman Empire dissolved into modern day Turkey, the cathedral was changed into a museum. Legally, it is supposed to remain as a museum, ICC reports.
However, whenever the ruling AK Party is in need of increased popular support, they promise to convert the church back into a mosque. Rhetoric of this nature has increased in recent days and it is expected that next week Turkish courts will rule in favor of this conversion.
While Patriarch Bartholomew I has faith that the Greek Christians will remain strong in Turkey, many fear a continued decrease in the Christian population.
Turkey must work to unite its minority communities in this new century, not further divide them.
