Turkish media hostile to Papal visit, bishop says (call for no praying at Hagia Sophia)

Catholic News Agency ^ | July 13, 2006

[NYer]

Konigstein, Jul. 12, 2006 (CNA) - According to Bishop Luigi Padovese, Apostolic Vicar of the Diocese of Anatolia, Turkey, the stabbing of a Catholic priest has exposed a media-led campaign to undermine the success of the Pope’s trip to the country.

Turkey’s beleaguered Christian population of barely 100,000 were shocked after the elderly French Father Pierre Brunissen was knifed - allegedly by a schizophrenic - in the northern port city of Samsun last week. It was the sixth attack on a Churchman in as many months.

Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need earlier this week, Bishop Padovese said the country’s media has spread lies about Fr Brunissen, 75, and called Christians “enemies.” He explained that the newspapers have made false claims that Fr Brunissen had tried to bribe people to win conversions. “The newspapers are trying to aggravate,” he added, “to show the Christians as enemies of Turkish people.” The bishop said the media reaction to the attack on Fr Brunissen had coincided with hostile comments about Pope Benedict XVI’s scheduled visit to Turkey in November: “There are some who will search out all the possibilities to reduce the positive effects of the trip.”

Reporting on media opposition to the planned meeting between the Pope and Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I, Bishop Padovese stated: “Many, many people think it is not acceptable for the Pope to visit the Patriarch. They have a very negative attitude.” He referred to newspaper reports calling on the Holy Father not to pray while visiting the Hagia Sophia, one of Christendom’s greatest achievements - a vast cathedral which was turned into a mosque before becoming a museum. “The newspaper reports were saying that the Pope should remember Hagia Sophia is now a museum, not a place of worship. They say they will be very critical of him if he starts praying there.”

Stressing how the media was inciting religious hatred among Turkey’s Muslim population, he said, “If you read the newspapers and listen to the TV, what you see about Christians is very negative. The authorities are trying to search for dialogue, but if the opinions of the media are so negative, how is it possible to talk about dialogue?” 

[NYer]

HAGIA SOPHIA
THE MOTHER CHURCH

Hagia Sophia or Holy Wisdom is the mother church of all Eastern Christians of the Byzantine liturgical tradition both Orthodox and Greek Catholic. Early accounts suggest that the site of this, the grandest church in Christendom, in the first millennium had been the site of a pagan temple appropriated for the service of the new religion. The first church on the site was built by the Eastern Roman Emperor Constantius, son of Emperor Constantine, who had liberated the Christian faith from centuries of persecution. Constantius' church was consecrated in 360 AD. At first it was known as the Great Church because it was the largest at the time. Later it became known as Holy Wisdom, a name attributed to Christ by theologians of the 4th century.

In 404 AD the church was destroyed by mobs set into action when Emperor Arcadius sent Archbishop John Chrysostom into exile for his criticism of the Empress. In 415 AD Emperor Theodosius II rebuilt the church. It too fell victim to a rampaging mob at the time of Monophysite heretics in 532 AD. The new Emperor Justinian, firm defender of orthodoxy, made short work of the howling heretics and ordered that construction begin on a new basilica such as had never been seen before. The construction work lasted from 532 to 537; the new church was consecrated by Patriarch Menas on December 27, 537.

Architecturally the grand basilica represented a major revolution in church construction in that it featured a huge dome which necessitated the implementation of new ideas in order to support the weight of this dome, a feat which had not been attempted before. The dome which became universal in Byzantine church construction represented the vault of heaven thus constituting a feature quasi-liturgical in function. In the days when there was no steel used in construction, large roofs and domes had to be supported by massive pillars and walls. The dome of Hagia Sophia was supported by four piers (the solid supports from which the arches spring), each measuring about 118 square yards at the base. Four arches swing across linked by four pendentives (the parts of a groined ceiling springing from the pillars). The apices of the arches and the pendentives support the circular base from which rises the dome which is pierced by forty single-arched windows which admit light to the interior.

The church itself measures 260 x 270 feet; the dome rises 210 feet above the floor and has a diameter of 110 feet. The nave is 135 feet wide, more than twice the width of the aisles which measure 62 feet. Because Constantinople lies in an earthquake-prone region, the massive structure of the Great Church was deemed sufficient to meet the threat. That expectation however was disappointed when in later years earthquakes destroyed parts of the church and dome, requiring massive repairs including the construction of large buttresses to support the walls which in turn held up the dome. (1)

In 1204 AD, Roman Catholic crusaders of the Fourth Crusade attacked and sacked Constantinople (2) and the Great Church, leaving behind a legacy of bitterness among Eastern Christians which continues to this day. For more that 1000 years Holy Wisdom served as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Constantinople as well as the church of the Byzantine court but that function came to an end on May 29, 1453, when the Ottoman Turkish Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror seized the Imperial City and converted the Great Church into his mosque. It remained a mosque until 1935 when Turkish head-of-state Mustafa Kemal converted it into a museum. Years later the plaster which had been applied by the Muslims to cover the icons was removed revealing for the first time to modern eyes the extent of the desecration perpetrated by the Muslims in their effort to render the structure appropriate for their own purposes. See HAGIA SOPHIA at: http://www.byzantines.net/byzcathculture/hagiasophia.html

In its heyday as the Imperial church, Hagia Sophia was served by 80 priests, 150 deacons, 60 subdeacons, 160 readers, 25 cantors and 75 doorkeepers. It was the model for other Byzantine churches throughout Eastern Christendom as seen for example in the Church of Holy Wisdom in Kyiv. In the Slavic East the style was modified to suit the Slavic esthetic sensibilities, most notable in Russia where the soaring but narrower domes top the many beautiful churches.

In the 1000 years that Hagia Sophia was the see of the Patriarch it was also seen as the mother church of the Christian East. The liturgies which evolved there in the full panoply of the splendor of the Imperial court gave them the dignity and stunning beauty which they possess today, in contrast to the more restrained liturgies of other traditions. Thus Eastern Christians of the Byzantine liturgical tradition are the inheritors and descendants of Byzantium, recalling whenever the Divine Liturgy is celebrated the glory of the Great Church in its ancient days.

Where once potentates and patriarchs, prelates and priests, saints and sinners moved in solemn procession, tourists now loiter and stare. The images looking down from the walls are no longer the windows to heaven but silent witnesses to the profanities of the Muslims and the vulgarities of the tourist trade. Gone are the chanting priests; gone too are the smells and bells of the East. No longer do the cherubim descend to accompany and to praise the Holy Mysteries. The Great Church is little more than a mound of architecturally ordered stones devoid of the life of liturgy. Away from the rule of the heathen Turk, in other places where orthodox Christians may gather one can still perceive imperfectly that vision of the splendor of heaven unfolded in the Byzantine Divine Liturgy, for ours is truly a royal worship, the prayer of kings.

FULL TEXT

[NYer]

With the fall of Constantinople and the desecration of the Great Church in 1453, the Turks were free to complete the conquest of the Christian peoples of the Balkans. Greeks, Bulgarians, Macedonians, Serbs, Montenegrans, Croats, Slovenes, Romanians and Hungarians came under the yoke of the oppressor. Twice, in the following centuries, in 1529 and 1683, the Turks appeared at the gates of Vienna only to be turned back miraculously. Only with the growing awareness of the emerging states in central and western Europe and with the defeat of the Turkish fleet at Lapanto in 1571 by the combined fleets of Venice, Spain and the Papal States was the march of Islam into the heart of western Christendom stopped. Thus was central and western Europe spared the fate of the Christian populations in southeastern Europe. Five hundred years of Turkish oppression and forced conversions to Islam were met with stout resistence by the Christians of the Balkans. Enslavement and martyrdom befell those who resisted. Time and again Christians were called upon to witness the faith and to win the crown of martyrdom. One can only speculate about the extent to which the valor of the faithful through resistance and rebellion kept the Turks from pressing further with their efforts to subject all Europe to the rule of Islam. The Christian neomartyrs (3) of the Turkish yoke are remembered each year on the third Sunday after Pentecost.

TROPARION

The new martyrs, who with unremitting battle have cast down the ancient deception, have exalted the Faith of the Orthodox; for, having abolished the worship of the iniquitous and professed Christ boldly, they now unceasingly entreat Him as perfect God, that He grant us great mercy.

KONTAKION

Rejoice mystically, 0 Church of Christ, beholding Thy children, the new martyrs, standing around Thy table in their relics, like newly planted olive shoots; and cry aloud to the Creator of all: Thou art the confirmation of the martyrs, 0 Christ!

NEOMARTYRS OF THE TURKISH YOKE

[Theoden]

"Oh, race of Franks, race from across the mountains, race beloved and chosen by God, - as is clear from many of your works,- set apart from all other nations by the situation of your country as well as by your Catholic faith and the honor which you render to the holy Church: to you our discourse is addressed, and for you our exhortations are intended. We wish you to know what a grievous cause has led us to your country, for it is the imminent peril threatening you and all the faithful which has brought us hither.

From the confines of Jerusalem and from the city of Constantinople a grievous report has gone forth and has -repeatedly been brought to our ears; namely, that a race from the kingdom of the Persians, an accursed race, a race wholly alienated from God, `a generation that set not their heart aright and whose spirit was not steadfast with God,' violently invaded the lands of those Christians and has depopulated them by pillage and fire. They have led away ap art of the captives into their own country, and a part have they have killed by cruel tortures. They have either destroyed the churches of God or appropriated them for the rites of their own religion. They destroy the altars, after having defiled them with their uncleanness....The kingdom of the Greeks is now dismembered by them and has been deprived of territory so vast in extent that it could be traversed in two months' time.

"On whom, therefore, is the labor of avenging these wrongs and of recovering this territory incumbent, if not upon you, you upon whom, above all other nations, God has conferred remarkable glory in arms, great courage, bodily activity, and strength to humble the heads of those who resist you ? Let the deeds of your ancestors encourage you and incite your minds to manly achievements:-the greatness of King Charlemagne, and of his son Louis, and of your other monarchs, who have destroyed the kingdoms of the Turks and have extended the sway of Church over lands previously possessed by the pagan. Let the holy sepulcher of our Lord and Saviour, which is possessed by unclean nations, especially arouse you, and the holy places which are now treated, with ignominy and irreverently polluted with the filth of the unclean. Oh, most valiant soldiers and descendants of invincible ancestors, do not degenerate; our progenitors., but recall the valor of your progenitors.

"But if you are hindered by love of children, parents, or of wife, remember what the Lord says in the Gospel, `He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me', 'Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.' Let none of your possessions retain you, nor solicitude for you, family affairs. For this land which you inhabit, shut in on all sides by the seas and surrounded by the mountain peaks, is too narrow for your large population; nor does it abound in wealth; and it furnishes scarcely food enough for its cultivators. Hence it is that you murder and devour one another, that you wage war, and that very many among you perish in intestine strife.

[Another of those present at the Council of Clermont, Fulcher of Chartres, thus reports this part of Urban's speech: "Let those who have formerly been accustomed to contend wickedly in private warfare against the faithful fight against the infidel, and bring to a victorious end the war which ought already to have been begun. Let those who have hitherto been robbers now become soldiers. Let those who have formerly contended against their brothers and relatives now fight against the barbarians as they ought. Let those who have formerly been mercenaries at low wages now gain eternal rewards. Let those who have been exhausting themselves to the detriment both of body and soul now strive for a twofold reward" See a complete translation of Fulcher's report of Urban's speech in Translations and Reprints, Vol. 1. No. 2.]

"Let hatred therefore depart from among you, let your quarrels end, let wars cease, and let all dissensions and controversies slumber. Enter upon the road to the Holy Sepulcher-, wrest that land from the wicked race, and subject it to yourselves. That land which, as the Scripture says, `floweth with milk and honey' was given by God into the power of the children of Israel. Jerusalem is the center of the earth ; the land is fruitful above all others, like another paradise of delights. This spot the Redeemer of mankind has made illustrious by his advent, has beautified by his sojourn, has consecrated by his passion, has redeemed by his death, has glorified by his burial.

"This royal city, however, situated at the center of the earth, is now held captive by the enemies of Christ and is subjected, by those who do not know God, to the worship the heathen. She seeks, therefore, and desires to be liberated and ceases not to implore you to come to her aid. From you especially she asks succor, because as we have already said, God has conferred upon you above all other nations great glory in arms. Accordingly, undertake this journey eagerly for the remission of your sins, with the assurance of the reward of imperishable glory in the kingdon of heaven.."

When Pope Urban had urbanely said thes and very similar things, he so centered in one purpose the desires all who were present that all cried out, " It is the will of God! I It is the. will of God 1 " When the venerable Roman pontiff heard that, with eyes uplifted to heaven, he gave thanks to God and, commanding silence with his hand, said:

"Most beloved brethren, today is manifest in you what the Lord says in the Gospel, `Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them'; for unless God had been present in your spirits, all of you would not have uttered the same cry; since, although the cry issued from numerous mouths, yet the origin of the cry as one. Therefore I say to you that God, who implanted is in your breasts, has drawn it forth from you. Let that then be your war cry in combats, because it is given to you by God. When an armed attack is made upon the enemy, this one cry be raised by all the soldiers of God: 'It is the will of God! It is the will of God!' [Deus vult! Deus Vult!]

"And ee neither command nor advise that the old or those incapable of bearing arms, undertake this journey. Nor ought women to set out at all without their husbands, or brother, or legal guardians. For such are more of a hindrance than aid, more of a burden than an advantage. Let the rich aid the needy and according to their wealth let them take with them experienced soldiers. The priests and other clerks, whether secular or regulars are not to go without the consent of their bishop; for this journey would profit them nothing if they went without permission. Also, it is not fitting that laymen should enter upon the pilgrimage without the blessing of their priests.

"Whoever, therefore, shall determine upon this holy pilgrimage, and shall make his vow to God to that effect, and shall offer himself to him for sacrifice, as a living victim, holy and acceptable to God, shall wear the sign of the cross of the Lord on his forehead or on his breast. When, indeed, he shall return from his journey, having fulfilled his vow, let him place the cross on his back between his shoulders. Thus shall ye, indeed, by this twofold action, fulfill the precept of the Lord, as lie commands in the Gospel, 'he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." Pope Urban II, speaking at Clermont, France, 1095.

They are asking for another crusade. I really don't want Pope Benedict going to Turkey, it is far too dangerous for him to go there. God be with him.

[redgolum]

Like the pic of the Tectonic Knights! (sp?)

There was a petition to return the Haggai Sofia as a conditions for Turkey going into the EU. Wonder what happened to it?

[NYer]

I really don't want Pope Benedict going to Turkey, it is far too dangerous for him to go there. God be with him.

Do we know what has prompted him to make this visit? Is it perhaps an interior call? Of all the countries he could travel, he has chosen one where he is least welcome. And I believe he will visit the church where Fr. Antonio Santoro was murdered.

Like you, I am worried but have faith that our Lord will guide and protect him on this journey. May St. Michael the Archangel be at his side.

[vimto]

You know I'm not a Catholic - but your Pope got guts on this and other issues.

'Nuff said.

[Carolina]

There was a petition to return the Haggai Sofia as a conditions for Turkey going into the EU. Wonder what happened to it?

Hagia Sophia Petition

[Carolina]

We need to be praying for his safety everyday. But we need to ratchet up the prayers during this apostolic journey. Maybe we can have a sign-up for round-the-clock prayer? Kind of like we did for the 2004 election.

[ValenB4]

"They are asking for another crusade. I really don't want Pope Benedict going to Turkey, it is far too dangerous for him to go there. God be with him."

He must go. His holy mission requires it. He must go to further reconciliation among Christians. If the Turkish people oppose him going, he must go to show them that the Pope fears no one on this earth; perhaps doing so would inspire some Turks to become Christians.

[right-wingin_It]

You know I'm not a Catholic - but your Pope got guts on this and other issues.

We believe he's everybodie's Pope..but just that not everyone knows it yet ;)

[right-wingin_It]

everybodies'

[PandaRosaMishima]

"your Pope"?
I'm insulted! I may be a Presbyterian but Pope Benedict is still the spiritual head of my church as I define it--Christian. The Catholics were simply here first and the rest of us popped up later.
I do pray for Papa Benedict if he does go to Turkey; it is a dangerous situation. But then, what place is not these days? If he wants to be safe then he might as well confine himself to Antarctica.

[FJ290]

You know I'm not a Catholic..

Wanna be one? We'd love to have you!

...but your Pope got guts on this and other issues.

Thank you for the compliment on his courage.

[FJ290]

Right wingin It, I apologize for accidentally posting this to you. It was meant to originally go to Vimto. Sorry, but my eyes are crossing tonight, LOL!

[vimto]

He ain't my Pope. No sir. I was once a Roman Catholic - no intention of going there again. But I admire the man.

[vimto]

A kind reply indeed.

I was brought up Roman Catholic, school, Church, Sunday school, Corpus Christi, Mass, Benediction....

I am very grateful for so much of that upbringing, strong Irish and Polish influences in there, very rich and rewarding,

I am now a minister of a little Free Church. I wish all people who call Jesus Lord and Saviour well. My path has a beautiful simplicity, and like Calvin, I consider myself to be part of the one true catholic Church. I cannot accept your offer to return but it is gracious of you. I trust we all meet in heaven. Until then,

In His Precious Name,

[FJ290]

I cannot accept your offer to return but it is gracious of you. I trust we all meet in heaven. Until then, In His Precious Name

The offer is always open if you should ever have a change of heart. God bless.

[Theoden]

Sorry for the delayed response, I was not home last night.

I signed that petition for the Hagia Sophia. I would love to see it returned to the Greek Orthodox. It is such a beautiful church, and is a place I would like to visit one day.

Pope Benedict certainly has guts going there. He is such a good shepard, and it would be devastating to lose him untimely. I can understand why he would like to go there, especially with the warming relations with the Orthodox, but I can't help but fear for his safety. He will need all of our prayers. Yesterday in fact, I received a Papal blessing from Pope Benedict XVI for my knighting last April. I am very honored to receive it from him. He is my greatest hero behind Christ and my father.

redgolum, I have another picture of the Teutonic Knights on my profile. I am currently wearing a pendant of the Teutonic cross, such as seen on their flag in the above picture. They are my favorite military order, and are still around today.

[redgolum]

redgolum, I have another picture of the Teutonic Knights on my profile. I am currently wearing a pendant of the Teutonic cross, such as seen on their flag in the above picture. They are my favorite military order, and are still around today.

There are actually two orders. One Roman Catholic, and one Reformed (Calvinist) in Denmark. I have always liked them also.

BXVI has guts. Going next to the wasps nest while everything is all stirred up. Prayers for him.

BTW what order were you knighted into?