Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Moscow Wants Turkey to Return Cathedral of Agia Sophia to Orthodox Church
Pravoslavie ^ | 11/26/15 | Religious Information Service of Ukraine

Posted on 12/16/2015 9:26:16 AM PST by marshmallow

State Duma deputies have supported the idea of the return of Agia Sophia in Constantinople to the Orthodox Church. This was stated by Chairman of Committee on Property, and the coordinator of the inter-factional parliamentary group on the protection of Christian values, Sergei Gavrilov, TSN reports.

Today, when Russian-Turkish relations are undergoing an "endurance trial," mutually friendly initiatives and proposals are of special importance, Gavrilov says.

"The Russian side deems it possible to return to the question of Agia Sophia, the ancient shrine of the Christian world, located in Constantinople - an ancient Byzantine cathedral associated with the history of the universal Christian Church. We expect a friendly step from the Turkish side - returning Agia Sophia of Constantinople to the Christian Church," the deputy said.

(Excerpt) Read more at pravoslavie.ru ...


TOPICS: Current Events; History; Islam; Orthodox Christian
KEYWORDS: agiasophia; byzantine; byzantinecathedral; cathedral; constantinople; haggia; orthodoxchurch; sophia; turkey
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-26 next last

1 posted on 12/16/2015 9:26:16 AM PST by marshmallow
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

Probably a smart move, they should.


2 posted on 12/16/2015 9:27:04 AM PST by rovenstinez
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow
Have to get rid of those minarets...


3 posted on 12/16/2015 9:28:29 AM PST by COBOL2Java (I'll vote for Jeb when Terri Schiavo endorses him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

“Right after the Arabs destroy the Dome of the Rock so that the Jews can rebuild the Temple.” Oh, wait...


4 posted on 12/16/2015 9:29:38 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (TED CRUZ. You can help: https://donate.tedcruz.org/c/FBTX0095/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

Right now, Agia Sophia is not being run as a mosque, but the Turks want it to be. There has been talk by Erdogan and his Islamic Fundamentalist party running Turkey to force the issue and make it a mosque, but that would violate an agreement the government made with the Patriarch of Constantinople.

Russia puts up a road block to Erdogan’s Jihad. I’m pleased.


5 posted on 12/16/2015 9:31:43 AM PST by Alas Babylon! (As we say in the Air Force, "You know you're over the target when you start getting flak!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

On a humorous note, my husband and I visited the Haggia Sophia when we were in Turkey a few years ago. Of course, there were, as one might expect, both Arabic/Islamic influences, such as the lettering on large medallions hanging from the walls; but there were also Byzantine elements, including an icon of the Christ Child with His mother. As I looked around, I realized that Jesus was at the highest level of all of the other artifacts. Showed me God has the last laugh.


6 posted on 12/16/2015 9:35:59 AM PST by Paved Paradise
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

It’s beautiful and holy and even the presence of islamic symbols can’t diminish the Christian feel of the church.

When I was there, people prayed the rosary silently in the area where the sanctuary was located.


7 posted on 12/16/2015 9:42:10 AM PST by OpusatFR
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

Never thought I would live to see the day the Russia would be the leader in protecting Christianity in the world. God is truly in control and can use who ever He chooses for His purpose.


8 posted on 12/16/2015 9:48:46 AM PST by 5thGenTexan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

Christians every where should be demanding that Muslim nation return shrines they have stolen from Christians. historically the Muslim religion has gone in stolen local religious shrines and claimed them after words as Historically Muslim sites.

The only way to combat this group is to be in your face about religion. We got to be honest with non religious people that the religion is EVIL and its adherents by good people has more to do with fear then it does with general choice in the belief system.


9 posted on 12/16/2015 10:01:11 AM PST by PCPOET7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 5thGenTexan

Yep...just like God is going to use them to plot an evil thought (Ezekiel 38:10) and invade Israel from the North in a massive sneak attack that will result in Russia firebombed and no longer a nation.


10 posted on 12/16/2015 10:03:53 AM PST by Roman_War_Criminal (They call me 'racist' because I won't accommodate or bow down to their savage culture.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: 5thGenTexan

The Russian orthodox church is a biblical remnant from 70 years of communism. The the Orthodox Church is the official state church of Russia. The Russian federation is building orthodox churches and cathedrals but the evangelical protestants have more worshipers. Neither the western or RF news makes much of this but it is huge deal. There is no official separation of church and state in Russia and the implications are mind boggling except to liberals who think inside the box - that reality is secular.


11 posted on 12/16/2015 10:23:04 AM PST by x_plus_one (The hammer of heretics, the light of Spain, the savior of his country, the honor of his order..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

BTTT!


12 posted on 12/16/2015 10:24:31 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Roman_War_Criminal

If they invade Israel is it to convert the jews or just tear up the place? Now that the Russian Orthodox Church is the official state church of the Russian Federation and they have a say in all things political - will they force conversions on the jews?


13 posted on 12/16/2015 10:25:27 AM PST by x_plus_one (The hammer of heretics, the light of Spain, the savior of his country, the honor of his order..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: rovenstinez

Say “Ok Google”
Notice that the deputy called the city Constantinople. Maybe Putin wants the Turks to use the old name. That whole region was Christian, after all, before the Musulmen conquered it.


14 posted on 12/16/2015 10:26:04 AM PST by Rifleman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: PCPOET7
The only way to combat this group is to be in your face about religion. We got to be honest with non religious people that the religion is EVIL and its adherents by good people has more to do with fear then it does with general choice in the belief system.

It seems that Putin is the only world leader willing to call out Islam as Evil.

In this, I support him.

15 posted on 12/16/2015 10:30:49 AM PST by Zeneta (Thoughts in time and out of season.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: x_plus_one

Quite true. Orthodoxy has suffered from the mentality of being a “national church” rather than theology. You can see that in the US, where Orthodox churches insist on having Greek language or Russian language services, despite a population that speaks English, and wondering why people don’t convert.


16 posted on 12/16/2015 10:34:13 AM PST by ksm1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Zeneta

I think most of the problems we have with Putin is that we have not had a strong competent president. Putin and Russian interest along with china’s intrest will always run counter to our own interest if we had a strong capable leader the push from Russia would not be as strong. We need a leader that knows on what things we can cooperate with Russia and china and what things we cant.


17 posted on 12/16/2015 10:47:00 AM PST by PCPOET7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: rovenstinez

We expect a friendly step from the Turkish side - returning Agia Sophia of Constantinople to the Christian Church,”

**
I cannot imagine the mohammedans removing their filthy symbols from it.


18 posted on 12/16/2015 10:56:27 AM PST by Bigg Red (Keep calm and Pray on.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: PCPOET7

Putin and Russia certainly have their own interests to look out for which may run counter to US interests at times.

But from my seat, Putin is the only world leader that is killing Islamist without mercy and is trying to shut down the “gay culture” within his country.

This, I can respect.


19 posted on 12/16/2015 10:57:42 AM PST by Zeneta (Thoughts in time and out of season.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

Go Putin.


20 posted on 12/16/2015 11:03:04 AM PST by MarMema
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-26 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson