Posted on 07/13/2012 6:29:53 AM PDT by marshmallow
The world’s oldest functioning Christian monastery faces a clouded future, after an appeals court in Turkey ruled that the building sits on land not owned by the monks.
The Mor Gabriel monastery, built near the Syrian border, was established in 397 by Syriac Orthodox monks, and has been in continuous use since that time, welcoming up to 20,000 pilgrims each year.
But neighboring villagers brought suit against the monks, charging that they were engaged in “anti-Turkish activities” since they educate young men in the Aramaic language and in the Christian faith. The villagers also claimed ownership of the land on which the monastery was constructed. The court sided with the villagers on that claim.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicculture.org ...
“Anti-Turkish activities.”
The monks have been practicing those activities since long before there even was a Turkey...
The monastery was in operation during the time of the Roman Empire, before Islam existed.
I assume Turkey does not subscribe to the legal doctrine of “adverse possession”? Which is somewhat ironic, since the entire Muslim enterprise is based on adverse possession of Christian lands [except for the Arabian peninsula].
May it be in operation long after islam is gone
There is an update on this case. I shall post on it. The courts have ruled against the village - but have instead said that half the monastery land belongs to the state.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.