Archons strongly condemn Turkey’s decision to convert Chora Church

Muslim worshippers conduct evening prayers in a former Greek Orthodox Byzantine church which formally opened as a mosque, in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday. 'The Turkish authorities' decision to begin the operation of the monastery of Chora as a Muslim mosque constitutes a provocation for the international community as it distorts and affects its character as a UNESCO World Heritage Site belonging to humanity,' the Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement. [EMRAH GUREL/AP]

The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate note with dismay and strongly condemn Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision to proceed with plans to convert the Monastery of Chora to a mosque.

"This is yet another contemptuous act against religious freedom perpetrated by the government of Turkey," the Archons said in a statement on Wednesday.

"This ill-advised decision once again makes a mockery of the Turkish government's commitment to religious tolerance and religious freedom," it is noted in the statement.

It is also underlined that Hagia Sophia and the Chora Church have for centuries been a source of inspiration and enlightenment not only for millions of Orthodox Christians, but for people of other faith traditions all over the world.

"The Turkish government's appropriation of both as the property of one faith group not only constitutes yet...

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