The Turkish Council of state was appointed on 2 July, the meeting, which will discuss the status of Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia). In its history, one of the main architectural monuments of Istanbul was a Christian Church, and a mosque, and in 1934 became a Museum. But on the eve of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan instructed the ruling justice and development to explore the possibility of the return of Hagia Sophia mosque status. Such a move could further damage Turkey’s relations with Greece and has already caused displeasure of the Russian Orthodox Church.The status of one of the symbols of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, may be revised. This question, according to Turkish media, will be raised at the meeting of the State Council of Turkey on 2 July. Note that the State Council called the Supreme administrative court of Turkey. It is the last resort, where citizens can appeal.Earlier, the State Council repeatedly rejected all allegations with a request to return the status of the building of the mosque. Such petitions Turkish citizens filed since 1934. It was then that the Council of Ministers adopted a decision on turning the monument into a Museum.Justiniana Basilica, which became the Foundation of Hagia Sophia was built in 537 ad on the site even more ancient Christian churches. Fires and earthquakes forced repeatedly to restore the building, changing its original appearance. Nevertheless, the Hagia Sophia was considered the symbol of power of the Byzantine Empire. It was there in the year 1054, the Pope of the Roman cardinal Humbert was handed to the Patriarch of Constantinople Michael Cerularius a letter of his excommunication from the Church. This event led to the division of a single Christian Church into Orthodox and Catholic. Then, after the capture of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453 and the death of the Byzantine Empire, the Orthodox Church was converted into a mosque, for which it built a four minarets. And soon after the fall of another Empire, who owned the temple, the Ottoman authorities created in its place the Turkish Republic in 1934 decided to turn the building into a Museum, preserving both Christian and Islamic elements in the decoration. Therefore, in the Cathedral visitors can see mosaics depicting the virgin Mary, and verses from the Koran. It became an important symbol of inter-religious reconciliation within the country.Now the authorities of Turkey serves increasingly clear signals that they are ready to reconsider the decision of the 1930-ies. Then the country was moving towards greater secularism, and the current ruling Party of justice and development of Turkey (AKP) is called outstanding representatives of “political Islam”. The revision of the status of already strongly supported the closest ally of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, head of the nationalist movement Party Devlet Bahceli. “If Allah permits, then ay��-Sofia will be heard not the sound of bells and the adhan (call to prayer for Muslims.— “Kommersant”)”,— he said.For example, on may 29, when Turkey celebrated 567-I anniversary of the capture of Constantinople by Turkish troops, the media drew attention to the fact that the Hagia Sophia recited the Surah al-Quran — al-Fatiha. Made by Greek diplomats and this year, despite the fact that relations between the two countries and seriously strained over a dispute about oil production off the coast of Cyprus. And on 5 June the Minister of defense of Greece Nikos Panayotopoulos said that his country is ready for a military conflict with Turkey.On the same day, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip erdoğan has instructed his party to explore the possibility of changing the status of Hagia Sophia at the meeting of the Central Executive Committee. These words have already reacted to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). “Any attempt now to change the status of Hagia Sophia, which today serves as a Museum, will change and the violation of those fragile sectarian and religious balances that have developed,” said June 6 at the TV channel “Russia 24” the head of the Department for external Church relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Hilarion. “Formally, no early elections are planned, but in political circles they talk about them, and the party are preparing— said “Kommersant” Mr. Akhmetov.— Turning Hagia Sophia back into a mosque can be part of the election program of Erdogan. It is likely that he waits for his initiative criticize the opposition, he will accuse them of betrayal of national values. In addition, this combination can prevent the opposition to unite, shattering it into secular and conservative.”Another scientist, Professor at the University Sutcu Imam in the city of Ankara, Togrul Ismail also believes that the revision of the status of Hagia Sophia has political reasons, but others. “I think the question would be raised if it wasn’t so hard confrontation with Greece. Ankara seeks to emphasize its strong position,— said “Kommersant” Mr. Ismail.— Additionally, the government may seek to divert people’s attention from the numerous inconveniences caused by a coronavirus. In some municipalities where the elections were won by the opposition were adopted more effective measures, and this loss need to make amends”. “If something will be done, the authorities will find a way to save Christian decoration and to keep the monument accessible to all,” said Togrul Ismail.Kirill Krivosheev
