Irinej: Returning Hagia Sophia to the status of a mosque is a historical injustice

The Serbian Orthodox Church considers the return of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul to the status of a mosque a historical injustice and a hasty and unnecessary political step harmful to the reputation of Turkey and the relationship of trust between Christians and Muslims, Serbian Patriarch Irinej said in an appeal to Turkey.

According to Irinej, the SPC calls on the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to give up his intention and to maintain the status quo regarding Hagia Sophia.

"There is hardly anyone in the civilized world who does not know about the Hagia Sophia, a magnificent and unique temple, once the most important temple of the entire Christian world, both in the East and in the West. It is also common knowledge that Hagia Sophia was a Christian temple for over nine centuries, and mosque for a little more than five centuries. Because of its architecture and paintings, it is one of the most important monuments of culture and spiritual heritage of humanity under the protection of UNESCO. If an unknown Muslim poet could write on the temple of the Virgin of Ljeviška in Prizren (Serbia) that his eye is the nest of her beauty , what eye and what refined artistic feeling could express the unsurpassed beauty of Saint Sophia", says Irinej in his address.

The significance of Hagia Sophia, he adds, does not consist only in its artistic and cultural value.

"It is, above all, for all Christians, Orthodox and others, a great holy place, a witness and a source of authentic spirituality. We do not want to claim that for the believers of Islam it has not also been and remains a place of many centuries of prayer life and inspiration. Therefore, it is no wonder that Kemal Pasha Ataturk, the creator of modern Turkey and a witness to the long historical coexistence of Muslims and Christians, certainly bearing in mind the above facts, found a prudent compromise solution by turning this temple into a museum, open to all and sundry, and none of the believers, whether Christians or Muslims, , is not deprived of the opportunity to offer a prayer to God in the spirit of his faith and tradition. We therefore consider the cancellation of Ataturk's decree and the unilateral return of Hagia Sophia to the status of a mosque not only a historical injustice but also a hasty and unnecessary political step, harmful both for the international reputation of Turkey as well as for relations and trust between Christians and Muslims in the world. We hope that it is clear to everyone that the alternative for the future is not an artificially provoked confrontation between the two largest world religions, Christianity and Islam, but peace between their believers, and not just peace or simply tolerance but also mutual respect, as well as dialogue and cooperation in everything that serves the common good of people and nations, while not endangering anyone's religious and cultural identity," said Irinej.

The SPC believes that, as stated by Irinej, the only fair solution, if the one brought by Kemal Pasha is changed, is to maintain the status of the museum, and to grant permission for not only Muslim but also Christian worship.

"The temple is more than spacious enough that no one would disturb anyone. Such a solution would not be a precedent in the modern world. We note that not only in Jerusalem or Sinai - which are holy places for believers of both religions - but also elsewhere, so and in Serbia and other areas where the Serbian people live, the church and the mosque often stand side by side, testifying to historical symbiosis, tolerance and mutual respect among neighbors. The USA and other countries, as well as UNESCO, and we, on behalf of the Serbian Orthodox Church, appeal to the President of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to give up his intention and to maintain the status quo regarding Hagia Sophia. It is not yet time for such an action. would serve him in honor, and would be a comfort and satisfaction to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, his Church and the Roman community in Turkey in their sorrow and pain due to such a decision, but it would also bring modern Turkey the approval, trust and congratulations of the entire cultural public all over the world." , Serbian Patriarch Irinej concluded in his appeal.