Turks targeted celebrations at Sumela Monastery for political reasons

The Ecumenical Patriarchate published a statement in which it stated that some politicians had targeted religious activities in recent days and that the celebration of the Dormition of the Theotokos at the Panagia Sumela Monastery had been used for political reasons.

“We have been deeply saddened by the fact that our religious activities have been targeted by some politicians in recent days,” the Ecumenical Patriarch said.

“Our visit to Trabzon, where we will celebrate the feast for just a few hours, has been targeted for political reasons,” the Ecumenical Patriarch added.

Finally, it is mentioned in the statement that “as a nation that has lived on this land for centuries, we condemn these unjust statements made against us” and that “we have full confidence in our government”.

Read the full statement below in English:

We celebrate the Feast of the Virgin Mary, which is celebrated by Christians all over the world on August 15 every year, in many churches in our country.

After having received the permission of our government, our Patriarchate will celebrate the feast (of the Dormition of the Theotokos) at the Sumela Monastery, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, as it has been for the last 10 years.

We have been deeply saddened by the fact that our religious activities have been targeted by some politicians in recent days. Our visit to Trabzon, where we will go to celebrate the feast for just a few hours, has been targeted for political reasons.

As a nation that has lived on this land for centuries, we condemn these unjust statements made against us. We have full confidence in our government.

Ecumenical Patriarch