(ZENIT News / Istanbul, 14.05.2024).- A day after the celebration of the Orthodox Easter, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan supervised the controversial reopening of the historic Church of the Most Holy Saviour of Chora as a mosque. This decision sparked a wave of criticisms at the international level, calling into question the preservation policy of Turkey’s cultural patrimony.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis energetically condemned the decision, saying that “this act insults the rich history of Istanbul as crossroads of different civilizations.” For her part, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, urged Turkey to respect the common values that sustain relations with Europe. “To maintain the universal character of monuments and to respect international norms for the protection of the religious and cultural patrimony is a clear international duty that applies to all States,” said the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Church of Chora, recognized by UNESCO as Patrimony of Humanity, is venerated for its sacred art and its historic significance in Orthodox Christianity. However, the decision to turn it into a mosque has been seen as a snub to religious freedom and the cultural patrimony.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate, with headquarters in Istanbul, expressed its disapproval, describing the action as “another disrespectful act against religious freedom on the part of the Turkish Government.” Orthodox dignitaries warned about the risk of losing the valuable 14th century iconography that adorns the Church. They recalled that the Church of Chora was the first monument sacked during the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, and stressed that the destruction must not be repeated.
The international Orthodox community also reacted. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America requested the Turkish Government to reconsider its decision, highlighting the delicate position of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which has its headquarters in Istanbul. “This step is particularly painful,” they said, stressing the importance of preserving the religious and cultural heritage.
This controversy recalls Erdogan’s previous decision to turn the ancient Patriarchal Basilica of Saint Sophia into a mosque, basing himself on the fact that both structures had been used as mosques in the past. However, the criticisms insist that such movements undermine respect for historical monuments and international norms of protection of the patrimony.
International Organizations and Governments committed to religious freedom have been called to take measures against this decision, in an effort to protect the integrity and historical value of the Church of Chora. Meanwhile, the tension between Turkey and Greece, already tense over political and territorial questions, has intensified with this new episode, which puts coexistence and respect at stake for the region’s different cultural and religious heritages.
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