President Erdoğan: Sumela Monastery is the epitome of how Turkey protects all kinds of civilization heritages on its lands

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed via videoconference the opening ceremony of the second phase of Sumela Monastery and the re-opening of Trabzon Hagia Sophia Mosque following its restoration.

President Erdoğan stated: “We bring this restoration work, which is the epitome of how Turkey protects and beautifies all kinds of civilization heritages on its lands, to the attention of those who criticize our country. If we were the kind of nation targeting the symbols of other faiths, as it is claimed or implied to be the case, this monastery, which has been ours for five centuries, would have already ceased to exist. The same applies to similar works of art in different parts of Anatolia. We have never pursued destruction or annihilation. On the contrary, we have always endeavored to build and ameliorate.”

“Inspired by our civilization and history, we, as Turkey, are determined to constantly increase our efforts for justice, truth and peace,” the President further stressed, and added: “We act with this perspective concerning all the matters we are involved in. Just as we have not remained indifferent to the cries of the oppressed in Syria, we have not left unanswered the cooperation call of the legitimate government in Libya, either. It is with this same understanding that we support our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters’ efforts to defend their homeland and save their lands under occupation.”

President Erdoğan further noted: “Our Orthodox citizens can hold Virgin Mary Service, which was discontinued during the restoration works at Sumela Monastery, on August 15 this year.”