Primate of UOC speaks about his attitude to altered Hagia Sophia’s status
Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: news.church.ua
The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, said that he has a negative attitude to the conversion of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
“This is a Christian church, and it should belong to those who built it,” said the Primate of the UOC, answering a question from journalists of the Pavlovsky News project. "But Turkey is a different state, it has different laws, different rules."
He added that the Church is praying for the return of Hagia Sophia.
“We do not seize mosques and expect no one to seize our temples either," His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry summed up.
As a reminder, on July 10, 2020, the Turkish State Council cancelled the government decree granting the status of a museum to Hagia Sophia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree on the resumption of Muslim worship in Hagia Sophia and on July 24, the first Friday prayer in 86 years was held in the Cathedral.
Read also
Catholic Sources Believe Israeli Attack on Church May Have Been Retaliation
Christian leaders, including Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, recently condemned a wave of attacks by Israeli settlers in the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh.
Dumenko on the Macedonian Church: 'We Oppose Them'
The head of the schismatic OCU has accused the Macedonian Church of forming an "alliance" with the Moscow Patriarchate while implying that the tomos of autocephaly granted by Serbia to Macedonia was invalid.
Veiled in Grace: A Pilgrim’s Transformation at St. Olga’s Glorification
At the glorification of Saint Olga in Kwethluk, a 72-year-old Matushka from Pennsylvania, who once resisted head coverings, felt a gentle prompting to wear a lace scarf, experiencing profound grace and peace. This transformative moment led her to adopt the practice permanently, feeling a deep connection to Saint Olga’s modesty and love.
Pope Leo XIV Welcomes Abp. Elpidophoros, Catholic Leaders at Meeting in Italy
Archbishop Elpidophoros and Cardinal Tobin are currently leading a pilgrimage emphasizing Christian unity during the Jubilee Year.
Tsunami Warning Lifted After 7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Alaska Coast
Federal officials had urged evacuations as the Gulf of Alaska area braced for potential tsunami impact.
UPDATE: Casualties of Israeli Strike on Catholic Church Were Orthodox
A funeral has been held at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrios for the victims of the shelling of the Holy Family Catholic Church.