Erdogan to take part in the first prayer at Chora temple

Erdogan at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Photo: RBC

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will take part in the first Muslim prayer in the Byzantine Chora church in Istanbul, Turkish edition tgrthaber.com reports.

The Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Chora, which the Turkish authorities have converted to the Kariye Mosque, will open its doors on Friday, October 30, 2020. On the same day, the first prayer in 75 years will be performed in the mosque.

The famous mosaics and hagiographies will be covered with curtains like in Hagia Sophia. Chora church will be open during Muslim prayer hours and will also become a tourist attraction.

The Byzantine Chora church in Istanbul was built in the 6th century. In the 16th century, after the capture of Constantinople, the Ottomans converted it into a mosque. By the decision of the Council of Ministers, since 1945 it functioned as "Kariye" museum. However, 75 years later, this decision was rescinded and it was decided to convert the church into a mosque and open it for worship.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Russian Foreign Ministry called on Turkey to preserve the heritage of the temple, turned into a mosque.

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