His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill made a statement on the status of Hagia Sophia.
“Deeply concerned by the statements of some Turkish politicians to reconsider the Museum status of Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest monuments of Christian culture. Built in the VI century in honour of Christ the Saviour, this Church means a lot to all Orthodoxy. And the Russian Church it is especially dear. The ambassadors of the great Prince Vladimir, crossed the threshold of this temple, was captivated by its heavenly beauty. After hearing their story, St. Vladimir was baptized and baptized Rus, who followed him stepped into a new spiritual and historical dimension of Christian civilization,” – said in a statement published on the website of the Moscow Patriarchate.
The Patriarch added that in the history of relations of Russia and Constantinople were different, sometimes very difficult periods.
“But any attempt to humiliate or violate the millennial spiritual heritage of the Church of Constantinople Russian people – both in the past and now perceived and perceives with bitterness and resentment. The threat of Hagia Sophia is a threat to the whole Christian civilization, so – and our spirituality and history. To this day, for every Russian Orthodox person Hagia Sophia is a great Christian Shrine. The duty of any civilized state is to maintain balance: to reconcile the contradictions in society, not escalate them; to encourage people to unite and not divide”, – said the Patriarch.
According to him, today the relations between Turkey and Russia are developing dynamically. This should take into account that Russia – a country with a majority Orthodox population. And therefore what can happen with Holy Sophia, speak in a deep sorrow in the Russian people.
“looking at the discretion of the state leadership of Turkey. The continuation of the current neutral status of Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest masterpieces of Christian culture, the temple-symbol for millions of Christians around the world will contribute to further development of relations between the peoples of Russia and Turkey, the strengthening of the interreligious world and the consent”, – said the Patriarch.
Recall, back in 2019, Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan said that the status of Hagia Sophia can be changed from a Museum to a mosque. According to him, it is a response to the U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan heights.
In June, Erdogan advised Greece to “know their place” in the matter of changing the status of a Cathedral, and stated that Turkey is the Parliament for such decisions.
In early July, 2020, the official representative of the government of Greece Stelios Petsas said that Greece has urged Turkey to maintain the status of the Museum at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, because the transformation ��equi in the mosque could provoke a split between Christians and Turkey.
