Posted on 11/27/2015 6:54:47 AM PST by NRx
The State Duma deputies supported the idea of ​​return of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul to the Orthodox Church. This was stated by Chairman of Committee on Property, coordinator of inter-factional parliamentary group on the protection of Christian values ​​Sergei Gavrilov, TSN reports.
Today, when the Russian-Turkish relations are undergoing “endurance trial,â€the mutual friendly initiatives and proposals are of special importance, Gavrilov says.
“The Russian side deems it possible to recur to the ancient shrine of the Christian world, located in Turkey, Istanbul - St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia) of Constantinople –an ancient Byzantine cathedral, which is associated with the history of the Universal Christian Church. We expect a friendly step from the Turkish side - returning St Sophia Cathedral of Constantinople to the Christian Church,†the deputy said.
He added that Russia is ready to participate financially, and involve the best Russian restorers and scientistsin the restoration of the universal Christian monument.
“This step would help Turkey and Islam demonstrate that good will is above politics. Saint Sophia should be returned to Christians,†the parliamentarian said.
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was converted into a mosque. In 1935, Hagia Sophia acquired the status of museum. St Sophia Cathedral was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List among theother monuments of Istanbul’s historic center in 1985.
Church-Mobile
Exactly. And we’ll play Flight of the Valkyries as it moves...
Actually it was Catholic and Orthodox in the sense that it was catholic and Catholic. That’s why Western Christians (Latins) worshiped there too up until 1054.
Saint Paisios under Divine guidance has predicted the end of hateful Turkey and the return of lands to the Christian Church and her people.
“That’s why Western Christians (Latins) worshiped there too up until 1054.”
Latins were worshipping with some of my ancestors at the last Divine Liturgy on the night of May 28, 1453 when the Mohammedan Turks burst in and began slaughtering and raping the congregation. The priests gathered up the gifts and disappeared into the back wall of the altar. It has been said that they will return just before the consecration at the next Divine Liturgy in Agia Sophia.
Ooooh I want to see that!!
Went to Hagia Sophia when I was an exchange student summer of ‘89. It positively floored me. May have been the initial catalyst to my joining the Catholic Church from lapsed Episcopalianism many, MANY years later.
BTW I do very much enjoy your posts on the prayer threads and bits of Orthodox history.
Thank you for the kind words!
“Went to Hagia Sophia when I was an exchange student summer of ‘89. It positively floored me.”
You’re not the only one! In 987 Prince Vladimir of Kiev sent out emissaries to investigate the religious beliefs and practices of the region. They went to Germany, Bulgaria and finally to Constantinople where they attended a Divine Liturgy at Agia Sophia. They reported back to their prince:
“And we went into the Greek lands, and we were led into a place where they serve their God and we did not know where we were, on heaven or on earth; and do not know how to tell about this. All we know is that God lives there with people and their service is better than in any other country. We cannot forget that beauty since each person, if he eats something sweet, will not take something bitter afterwards; so we cannot remain any more in paganism.”
Wow!! Chills!!!
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