Erdogan orders Sophia to be open 24/7 for worship

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with his wife at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Photo: newsit.gr
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ordered that from July 24, 2020, when the first Friday prayer was held in Hagia Sophia in 86 years, the cathedral, turned into a mosque, will be constantly open for Muslim worship. Governor of Istanbul province Ali Yerlikaya announced this on Friday on his Twitter page.
“Mr. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ordered that from today Aya-Sophia be open for worship 24 hours a day. The Aya-Sophia Mosque will be kept open. We express our gratitude to our President,” the governor wrote.
Earlier, Erdoğan said that 350 thousand attended the first Muslim prayer at Hagia Sophia.
Read also

Metropolitan of the Jerusalem Church Strongly Condemns Actions of Ukrainian Authorities: Persecutions Like in Soviet Times
Metropolitan Timotheos of Vostra, Exarch of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in Cyprus, denounces desecration at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra as a grievous assault on Orthodoxy.

Prayer Site of Persecuted UOC Community Set on Fire in Kyiv Region
The Orthodox community suspects OCU representatives of arson.
Documentary on St. Sava in Production with Support of Serbian Orthodox Church
Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Željko Mirković leads project spanning Athos, Balkans, and beyond.
HCHC Offers Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership
The program is designed for clergy, lay leaders, and nonprofit professionals and offers courses in strategic planning, fundraising, governance, financial management, marketing, and program evaluation—all grounded in Orthodox Christian values.
Romanians in Dublin Seek to Purchase Anglican Church
The Romanian Orthodox community needs to raise approximately €700,000.
Patristic Faith Announces Annual Conference in November
Speakers include Met. Jonah (Paffhausen), Jay Dyer, and Dcn. Ananias Sorem.