Posted on 04/10/2017 7:16:14 AM PDT by NRx
President Erdoğan of Turkey has announced that he will read Muslim prayers in Agia Sophia in Constantinople on April 14, Holy Friday, one of the holiest days of the year for the Christian faith—a move that has provoked the Greek and broader Orthodox world.
Furthermore, he has claimed that Kemal Ataturk’s order to transform Agia Sophia from a mosque into a museum is a fake, reports AgionOros.ru.
The Agia Sophia (“Holy Wisdom) church is one of the greatest and most important churches for Orthodox Christians, serving as the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople from the time of its construction in 537 by Emperor St. Justinian, until the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453. Under the Ottomans it was converted into a mosque until 1931, being secularized and opened as a museum on February 1, 1935. The church is considered the apex of Byzantine architecture, and is home to many of the most famous mosaics in Christendom.
Erdoğan is not the first to claim that the order to turn the building into a museum is a fake. Turkish historian and author Mustafa Armaga has also claimed that Ataturk’s signature under the act is a forgery, claiming the mosque became a museum due to “American machinations,” with American diplomats putting pressure on Turkish authorities.
“Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will hold Muslim prayer on Friday, the eve of April 16, in Agia Sophia, together with all the government and leading officials,” stated a source within the Turkish government. The source also told Turkish media that the prayers “will be a performance against the Crusades,” and a symbolic act of transforming the museum back into a mosque.
Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki commented on the news in his Sunday homily, saying, “A difficult situation unfolds today in the international sphere. Threats, fear, insecurity… Our neighbors from Turkey are threatening Agia Sophia, and threatening to seize Greek territory up to the city of Kavala. We cannot remain indifferent in such a situation. Let us unite to secure our homeland.”
10 / 04 / 2017
Blasphemy!!
Kind of an IN YOUR FACE idea. Glad...that when I went to Istanbul I did NOT visit the Blue Mosque, I didn’t want to take off my shoes to honor their hero.
You don't think muslims have an axe to grind against the west - Erdogan was a moderate. But in his own words - there is no such thing.
Any aid in the region should go to Kurdistan (lets recognize it), Oman, and Jordan the rest are back stabbing losers
GW did it, Obama did it. What is the big deal? After all, isn’t god the god of all? I am sure God is not a jealous God, who punishes those who turn from Him when they are blessed. . . . sarcasm off now. . . .
Erdogan has to be in the top five of any good Antichrist watch list.
A friend is Bible Study seemed a bit embarrassed when she recounted her visit to the dome of the rock. She said she had to take off her crucifix and take off her shoes. I’ve been thinking about that. I would like a peek inside. My crucifix can go into my pocket and I can rub bacon grease on my socks before going in. I think I could under those circumstances handle a visit. Any other suggestions?
It’d be a real shame if a stray drone landed on the head of this mooslim brotherhood slimeball (Erdogan).
“Any other suggestions?”
Depends. St. Francis tramped on a cross when asked to do so by the sultan, saying that the real cross is in our hearts and that can never be trampled on.
OTOH, in Asia (and likely elsewhere) some Christians in Japan and Korea accepted death rather than trample on the cross.
Islam hates the cross; Mo especially called for it to be destroyed wherever it is found.
So — it depends on how you feel at the moment; and what is acceptable to you at that moment in good conscience.
0bama + Georgetown - cross = obvious
Either Erdogan is either nutz or knows exactly what he is doing and doesn’t give a damn about the ramifications. In my opinion, he is spoiling for war with Greece. His biggest problem though is Russia is not amused with his antics...
Liberate Constantinople and take back OUR church !
He can pray all the Islamic stuff he wants, the prayers will fall on deaf ears. Muslims don’t know the true God. It’s similar to looking for your car in the bathroom when it’s always been parked in the garage. Christians know where to look. Pray for this fella (and the billion others) who needs God’s saving grace.
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