Ecumenical Patriarch opposes plan to make historic church a mosque

August 18, 2012: Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople has staked out his opposition to a plan by the Turkish government to convert an ancient church in the town of Trabzon into a mosque.

Turkey’s vice-president Bulent Arinc has proposed that the Aghia Sophia of Trabzon (not to be confused with the Hagia Sophia in Contantinople, another ancient church that became a mosque and is now a museum) be made a mosque. The Ecumenical Patriarch objected to the proposal, saying that the building should remain an architectural witness to the Christian presence, which was eventually reduced by genocide as well as Islamic conquest.

Islamic leaders in Trabzon have said that they have no need for a new mosque in the city.

The Ecumenical Patriarch visited the church on Thursday and met with the mayor of the city. In front of reporters, Bartholomew said: "We respect all mosques and all places of worship, but in this case - turning Hagia Sophia into a mosque - I see no need for worship."

He added. "We are in favor of maintaining the church of Hagia Sophia as a museum. Moreover, as stated by the head of the local [Islamic] community [here] there are already many mosques to meet the needs for worship of the faithful, and they remain largely partially empty. "

The Patriarch recalled the recent statements by the President of the Muslim community of the place, Zeki Baytar who reacted strongly to the Arinc proposal, even threatening a revolt, and said: "First we must fill the mosques, then, if necessary, transform Saint Sophia into a mosque."

"If Hagia Sophia in Trabzon is converted into a mosque - continues Bartholomew I - it will be made available only to our Muslim brothers. Conversely, if it remains as a museum, it can offer its services to the entire international community, with sizeable profits for its inhabitants."

Among the journalists present, many remember the words of the same Bulent Arinc during his visit to the Phanar - the seat of the patriarchate - in January 2011: "As a government we have a duty to meet the needs of these citizens who have a centuries old presence in these lands."

Therefore, the position of the Ecumenical Patriarch is hardly surprising. What is of wonder however, is the Turkish government policy towards minorities of "one step forward, one step back", depending on the circumstances and political conjunctures. Precisely for this reason anti-conformist courageous groups voicing anti-conformist sentiments are on the increase in Turkey.