Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church: the religious feelings of millions of Christians are hurt by the return of Muslims to Hagia Sophia

The members of the Synod discussed the deprivation of the museum status of Sophia of Constantinople.

On July 16-17, 2020, the next Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church was held. The members of the Synod, among other things, discussed the deprivation of the museum status of St. Sophia of Constantinople. The statement of the Synod says that “ the aforementioned decision was made without taking into account the petitions and clearly expressed position of the primates and hierarchs of local Orthodox Churches, representatives of foreign states, numerous international public and human rights organizations, clergy of various confessions and religious traditions; it hurts the religious feelings of millions of Christians around the world, which can lead to a violation of the interreligious balance and mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims, not only in Turkey itself, but also in other places. "The members of the Synod" hope that the Turkish authorities will make the necessary efforts to preserve the miracle surviving priceless Christian mosaics and will provide access to them for Christian pilgrims .”

Sources

• Journals of the meeting of the Holy Synod of July 16-17, 2020 // Official website of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. 2020. July 17.
• Statement of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in connection with the decision of the Turkish authorities to review the status of the Hagia Sophia // There.