Turkey prohibits Patriarch Bartholomew to serve in Panagia Soumela Monastery

Panagia Soumela Monastery in Trabzon. Photo: Orthodox Times.

The Turkish government has prohibited the Ecumenical Patriarchate from celebrating the Divine Liturgy at the historic Monastery of Panagia Soumela in Trabzon, Pontus, on the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, reports the Orthodox Times.

The Pan-Pontian Federation of Greece condemned this decision as a "further escalation of Turkish provocations".

"It is significant that this year, for the first time, the Divine Liturgy will not be held, and the absence of the Ecumenical Patriarch underscores the severity of this issue. Our ongoing concern is the stance of the Greek government, which remains – conspicuously – silent, even as it permits and facilitates the entry of Turkish visitors who view our islands as ‘occupied territories’ and participate in provocative, nationalist, and anti-Greek activities," the federation stated.

The ban on serving at this historic site has caused concern among Greeks, particularly those of Pontian descent, as the Panagia Soumela Monastery holds deep religious and historical significance.

"The fact that the Divine Liturgy was not celebrated is seen as not just a denial of religious freedom but also as a broader political move that undermines the cultural heritage of the Pontian Greeks," the publication noted.

Panagia Soumela is one of the oldest monasteries and spiritual centers of Greek Orthodoxy in the world. The monastery is situated on a steep rocky cliff at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level. It is believed to have been founded in the 4th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Theodosios. After years of restoration work funded by the Turkish government, the monastery was reopened to visitors as a museum in May 2022.

As previously reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ), an appeals court denied the UOC the right to pray in ancient sanctuaries in Chernihiv.

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