After facing reactions and controversy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reversed his decision and granted permission to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to conduct a religious service at Panagia Soumela in Trabzon on the Feast of the Dormition.
Maria Zacharaki reported the news on the OPEN channel from Istanbul.
On July 20, Turkish authorities informed the Ecumenical Patriarchate that their request to hold this year's divine liturgy at Panagia Soumela in Trabzon had been rejected.
According to information from OPEN's correspondent, the Turkish Ministry of Interior approved the Ecumenical Patriarchate's request for Patriarch Bartholomew to conduct the divine liturgy at Panagia Soumela on the Feast of the Dormition.
The official written permission from the Turkish authorities is expected to be delivered to the Phanar in the coming days, clearing the way for the Ecumenical Patriarch to travel to Panagia Soumela on August 15th and perform the celebratory divine liturgy, as is done every year.
It is evident that the Turkish presidency perceived the initial ban, which sparked reactions, as tarnishing their efforts to appear conciliatory towards Greece, seeking to change the country's international image and gain benefits from the US and the EU.
