The archbishop is right. The conversion of Hagia Sophia to a mosque is for Erdogan a symbol of Islam’s triumph over secularism, just as its conversion to a museum in 1935 was a symbol of secularism’s triumph over Islam, and its original conversion to a mosque in 1453 was a symbol of Islam’s triumph over Christianity. Note also that Erdogan says that Hagia Sophia has been returned to “its original identity.” Its nearly thousand years as a cathedral before it was a mosque don’t count. That’s just jahiliyya, the society of unbelievers, which in Islamic theology is worthless trash.
“Archbishop of Albania on Hagia Sophia: Its conversion into a mosque is a cultural jihad,” Orthodox Times, October 17, 2020:
Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres and all Albania made another resonant intervention on the issue of Hagia Sophia.
Speaking on ERT TV station, Archbishop Anastasios described Erdogan’s choice to convert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque as “cultural jihad” and noted that this decision “has been reminiscent of old dark eras.”
You can read the full statement of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania:
“This decision on Hagia Sophia is a kind of cultural attack, cultural jihad. In recent years, all serious people, both Christians and Muslims, have condemned all forms of holy war known as jihad. There is an Islamic sensibility so far that has respected the beauty of Hagia Sophia. However, uncritical fanaticism seeks to exploit, to steal the beauty of the most beautiful church of indivisible Christianity.
This decision is one of these dreadful decisions and actions that undermine the greatest hope and effort of our time. The peaceful coexistence of religions and cultures. This decision takes us back to dark eras while question and indignation that a country like Turkey, which wants to be at the forefront, assumes the role of the cultural rearguard that arrived too late.
I have repeatedly been given the opportunity and I emphasize that adding the ‘fuel’ of religion to the fire in order to serve nationalist purposes is a sin and a mistake The noble purpose of religion is to soothe wounds and pacify the souls of human beings. To promote culture and not to retrogress.”
observer says
A rare thing: a man who understands the prevailing reality.
THANK YOU ROBERT.
You have my prayers…
mortimer says
And please include Archbishop Anastasios in your prayers.
Hurrah for Archbishop Anastasios !
observer says
Thank you Mr Spencer.
Mauricio says
Yes, thanks
Michael Copeland says
“The noble purpose of religion is to soothe wounds and pacify the souls of human beings.”
A less noble purpose of a certain religion//governance system is “Mastership of the world” (Safwat Hegazy of Egypt), attained through violent subjugation of all others.
mortimer says
Some of our Christian clergy are VERY WELL INFORMED on jihad and Islamic teachings.
They are unable to speak out because so many in the Christian community are virtual ILLITERATES in the matter of what Islam teaches.
Such well-informed clergy as Archbishop Anastasios understand clearly (from the source texts) that Islam is NOT ‘benign’ as the Leftists are trying to tell everyone … especially, the uninformed Pope Francis who refuses all attempts to educate him about Islam’s authentic totalitarian agenda.
Linde Barrera says
There is a big difference between doctrine and human behavior.
This archbishop‘s comments hit the nail on the head! Would that other religious leaders speak out about this cultural jihad. So true.
Fred van de Bunt says
Sorry, I think the behaviour is according to the doctrine of Islam.
Allah (God) changed his mind while letting Mohammed spread his words, which Mohammed seemed to have received from Gods postman, the angel Gabriel. God said he never had a son.
As long as Christian can accept this, they are okay for God (Allah), as said in the Quran.
After 1400 years Christians still do not accept the truth, and these Christian are still spreading the word that Christ is the son of God. Enough of that: make this symbol a symbol of the righteous.
I do not see how this is a wrong thing out of the perspective of the Turkish Muslims, knowing that the symbol had already been used to practice Islam before.
It is an offensive deed to Christians, but what do expect from this doctrine?
Fred van de Bunt says
Actually, God, or Allah did not change his mind, but Christians are liars, it can be found in the Quran. Since the Quran is written as containing Gods, or Allah’s words, who also said that the “people of the Book” are in many ways okay, one can conclude that the only problem is that the core of their believe around the son of God, is non-existent, and based on idolatry.
There tension rises, since God, or Allah, despises idolaters, that should be treated with harshness.
Mykejohn says
Except on the grounds that l don’t understand you, however why should ordinary blokes get into trouble for taking orders from Allah if he were G_d and all powerful? If Allah is G_d, let him plead for himself instead of hapless and spineless people striving for him and thereby get into all sort of troubles heeding Allah’s voice. Is Allah so weak as to exact punishment on all who fall foul of his commandments all by himself? In the light of the above Allah may not be the G_d of the Christians so stop the delusion.
Linde Barrera says
To Fred- I am not a religious scholar; I am a retired teacher certified Pre-K through 6 grade from NYS.
If anyone says “I just do not believe so & so” whatever “so & so” is, that person is exercising their free will. If anyone says that a doctrine is false in a realistic sense after that doctrine has proven itself to be shown correct, I call that “delusional”.
In the book of Isaiah chapters 19, 43 and 53, there is mention of God being a Savior.
So, if Muslims believe that Allah cannot make himself into a man, they are exercising their free will. But they cannot state that God Almighty cannot make Himself into a man based on the doctrines of the Holy Bible.
Doctrine vs. human behavior.
OLD GUY says
I may not believe either one of these religious opinions or believe the one I feel most correct for me. No person has the right to tell me which religious belief if any I must follow. That is a decision I will have to answer before GOD him self.