Turkey bans liturgy for Dormition of the Theotokos feast day at Panagia Soumela

·

Turkish officials have not granted authority for religious services to be held in the Holy Monastery of Panagia Soumela on August 15 to mark the Dormition of the Theotokos

The Ecumenical Patriarchate announced a service will take place eight days later on August 23. The service will be celebrated by Metropolitan Stefanos of Kalliopolis and Madytos.

“Following a decision by the Turkish authorities, this year permission was granted to perform a Divine Liturgy in the Holy Monastery of Panagia Soumela on Friday, August 23,” the Ecumenical Patriarchate said, with no explanation as to why the August 15 liturgy will not go ahead.

Panagia Soumela Monastery. Photo: The Art of Wayfaring.

Last year, 13 years after the first patriarchal ceremony at the historic monastery, was the first time there had been a disturbance as Turkish authorities initially prohibited a liturgy for the Dormition of the Theotokos but eventually allowed it.

In 2015, the Soumela monastery, built into a sheer cliff above the Black Sea forest in eastern Turkey, was shut for restoration and reopened to tourists in 2019.

Turkey’s policy towards Greek monuments, both ancient and medieval, has gone through several “waves” since ethnic Greeks were expelled in 1923 as part of a population exchange between Greece and Turkey.

Source: Kathimerini.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

‘The Aegean’ film in the mix for the 2025 AACTA Awards

The Australian independent film The Aegean is making waves in the 2025 AACTA Awards, securing nominations in major categories.

Labor’s Helen Politis elected Deputy Mayor of Merri-bek City Council

Labor's Helen Politis has been elected as Deputy Mayor of Merri-bek, marking a significant step for the seasoned community advocate.

Mario Christodoulou to executive produce ABC’s Media Watch

Award-winning investigative reporter Mario Christodoulou will become executive producer on the ABC's Media Watch program.

Socialist PASOK becomes Greece’s main opposition party as SYRIZA collapses

Left-wing Syriza party has lost its position as Greece's main opposition group after a wave of defections on Thursday, November 21.

80-year-old sole resident of Kinaros island gifted donkey as a companion

The sole resident of Greece's remote Kinaros island - 80-year-old Mrs Rinio - recently received an unexpected gift in the form of a donkey.

You May Also Like

ICAC finds former tax man Nick Petroulias engaged in corrupt conduct

The Independent Commission Against Corruption finds former tax man Nick Petroulias engaged in corrupt conduct.

Terens Quick handover to new Deputy Foreign Minister for Overseas Greeks Antonis Diamataris

Newly appointed Deputy Foreign Minister for Overseas Greeks Antonis Diamataris said he would do whatever possible to further strengthen relations between Greece and expatriate Greeks

Kyriakos Mitsotakis plans to legalise same-sex marriage in Greece

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis plans to legalise same-sex marriage, a huge step forward for LGBTQ rights.