H/T: St. George Greek Orthodox Church Source: Greek Star
Greek – Americans will conduct mass at Agia Sophia on September 17, 2010
By Kleo Mavridis
The Church of Agia Sophia -- Holy Wisdom -- in Constantinople.
During a press conference in Thessaloniki, the President of the International Congregation, Chris Spirou, said that the Prime Minister of Turkey, Tayyip Erdoğan, has already been informed in writing.
“The purpose of our Congregation’s visit is to conduct Holy Liturgy Services in the the Great Church of Christianity, the Symbol of the Orthodox Christian Faith”, was written in the letter. After he was asked, whether the Greek Department of Foreign Affairs has been notified about this, Mr. Spirou said that it isn’t a political issue and that “no government has the right to interfere with religion and to appoint religious leaders”.
The “International Congregation of Agia Sophia” was founded in 2005 and is a USA-based non-profit organization. Its purpose is to restore the Agia Sophia as a place of worship. The organisation’s thousands of members worldwide include followers of other religions and denominations.
International Campaign for Free Saint Sophia
Is this a joke? Or is it a desperate attempt by diasporists to keep themselves at the forefront of Orthodoxy?
George, I wondered the same thing. Somehow I do not think the folks attached to this organization are ready for the type of civil disobedience that is required to draw attention to this cause. Are these well-to-do diaspora folks ready to get tossed into a real Turkish prison for defying the regime?
These diaspora folks should also know that neither Obama, Hillary Clinton, the GOA, or the EP are going to bail you out of prison if things get out of control.
I am glad someone else chose the words “well-to-do folk”. Did you know that there is an international CEU course for physicians on cardiac issues occurring only a few miles away from Agia Sophia on the exact same date? This continuing education course will attact varying worldwide physicians including internists, heart surgeons, emergency medicine, family practice, hospitalists, and anesthesiologists. Maybe it’s only a coincidence? Maybe dozens of Greek physicians can buy all the Turkish prisons? Should be interesting.
Are the followers of other religions going to attend Holy Liturgy Services in the the Great Church of Christianity, the Symbol of the Orthodox Christian Faith?
Well, that true that Justinian had it built after the Nika riot and it has no equal but there were thousands of people that were put to death so Justinian could still be emperor. Anyway, he did offer the mob when he feared them a pardon but they did listen. On the other hand, Justinian’s tax policy with people such as John of Cappidocia and lawyers such as Tribonian were a spark for the riot and also Justinian finally not favoring a blue fraction but punishing both blues and greens led the circus factions to rioting, so Justinian was somewhat responsible for the riot by his poor decisions.