Statement on the Announced Transformation of Hagia Sophia

On Friday, July 10, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey announced his decision to transform the Hagia Sophia from its long-term status as a museum to a mosque. The action of the Turkish government is deeply troubling, and could have far reaching consequences.

In a letter earlier this month sent to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Pastor Jared R. Stahler expressed the solidarity of the clergy, staff and people of Saint Peter's Church with the entire Orthodox family at this time.

"I recall with great fondness your lecture here at Saint Peter's Church last Fall shortly after your election as Archbishop, and I am mindful of your invitation in that lecture to deeper ties between our churches. Our prayers and our voices of support are especially with you, the clergy and the people of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. As you work in the weeks and months ahead with our own U.S. government for a potential diplomatic intervention, please do not hesitate to call on me."

Certainly the Turkish government's action will be felt no more strongly than by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Orthodox church in Turkey. Even still, the entire Christian community is distraught, for we know this action is not intended to build up positive relations between Islam and Christianity. It is designed to drive a wedge between Christians and Muslims for the sake of securing further political power.

Here in New York City and in our own Midtown neighborhood, Christians and Muslims witness to religious expression that does not seek division. Our own Church's ties with the Islamic Center of Mid Manhattan seek to build up community. Most recently the two religious communities joined with Central Synagogue in a joint statement condemning the murder of George Floyd and pledging to work to dismantle racism.

Saint Peter's Church joins the growing number of voices imploring the government of Turkey to reconsider its announced action.