• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Orthodox Times (en)
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
Orthodox Times (en)
No Result
View All Result

Turkish media report vandalism at Panagia Soumela in Pontus – Turkish authorities refute

Aug 07, 2020 | 14:46
in Culture
Turkish media report vandalism at Panagia Soumela in Pontus – Turkish authorities refute

Photo credit: Arkeofili | Deniz Han

Greece is facing a great, unholy challenge at the Holy Monastery of Panagia Soumela in Pontus. Unknown people caused huge damage to the famous and historical frescoes of the Monastery, during the time it was closed for repairs. In view of the Patriarchal Liturgy on August 15, the catastrophe will be known to the whole world. It is currently captured on the Turkish website Arkeofili with photographic material that generates anger and sadness.

According to the author of the article Erman Ertuğrul, names have been erased or written on all the faces of the murals, except those on the ceiling that the vandals could not reach. The damages were seen and captured by visitors from July 28 onwards, when the Monastery reopened as a museum (it was closed for five years for restorations and maintenance). In general, the hagiographies are not in the best condition, due to the fact that they are not properly maintained, but in this case it is obvious to the naked eye that there is extensive, brazen vandalism.

As liberal.gr reports, some say damages have happened before, but others say on social media that they have taken on this “sacred” task. As an autopsy in the remote area in which it is located is impossible, we will have to wait for the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew on August 15 to find out the truth and the extent of the damages. In any case, the fact is completely reprehensible and a challenge to Orthodoxy. Besides, on the comments of the article, Turkish citizens comment that in a serious state this should not happen, condemning these profane acts.

Photo credit: Arkeofili | Halil Emre Albayrak

The Holy Monastery of Panagia Soumela has been included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Our country should ask for the restoration of the hagiographies, which have a great historical and artistic value. Greece could, in fact, offer to send Greek conservators, who have experience and respect for monuments.

The monasteries of Pontus have suffered from the barbaric and disrespectful behavior of the Neo-Turks and the Kemalists, who fanatized the savage and predatory Muslim groups. Many times they fell victim to robberies and damages. In 1922 the Turks caused destruction in the monastery. After first robbing all the valuables that were inside the monastery, then they set fire.

Photo credit: Arkeofili | Halil Emre Albayrak

In June 2010, the Turkish state gave permission to the Ecumenical Patriarchate to hold a service in the historic monastery for the Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary on August 15, 2010. The monks transported to Panagia Soumela in Vermio as many relics as they could save.

The Turkish side denies what the evidence shows. Yahya Coşkun, Deputy Director General for Cultural Heritage and Museums at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, told Anadolu Agency that there was no recent damage to the murals in the Monastery.

Photo credit: Arkeofili | Halil Emre Albayrak
Tags: CulturePanagia Soumela

Follow OrthodoxTimes.com on Google News and learn all the news about Orthodoxy in Greece and worldwide.

All the latest developments in the Orthodox world, society and humankind, at the moment they happen, at OrthodoxTimes.com


Related Posts

British Museum suggests a ‘sharing arrangement’ of Parthenon sculptures with Greece
Culture

British Museum suggests a ‘sharing arrangement’ of Parthenon sculptures with Greece

June 16, 2022
Greek Minister of Culture: The British Museum’s claims for the Partnenon Sculptures are unhistorical
Culture

Greek Minister of Culture: The British Museum’s claims for the Partnenon Sculptures are unhistorical

May 24, 2022
Return of the Parthenon Sculptures to be discussed at UNESCO meeting in Paris
Culture

Return of the Parthenon Sculptures to be discussed at UNESCO meeting in Paris

May 19, 2022
“The war that should have never happened”
Culture

“The war that should have never happened”

May 16, 2022
National Gallery receives international design distinction
Culture

National Gallery receives international design distinction

May 11, 2022
Australia: Support for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures confirmed
Culture

Australia: Support for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures confirmed

April 28, 2022
Load More
Next Post
WCC sends condolences in wake of explosion in Lebanon

WCC sends condolences in wake of explosion in Lebanon

Latest News

The Patriarchate of Alexandria commemorated St Theodore Bishop of Cyrene

The Patriarchate of Alexandria commemorated St Theodore Bishop of Cyrene

by NewsRoom
Jul 04, 2022 | 18:51
0

Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Patriarchal Chapel of...

Patriarch of Antioch headed the Divine Mass on the occasion of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

Patriarch of Antioch headed the Divine Mass on the occasion of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

by NewsRoom
Jul 04, 2022 | 16:19
0

Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East presided over the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the...

The Graduation Ceremony of the Ramle School Graduates

The Graduation Ceremony of the Ramle School Graduates

by NewsRoom
Jul 04, 2022 | 15:34
0

On Thursday evening, June 30, 2022 the graduation ceremony of the 54 graduates from Ramle School took place at...

The 46th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America began

After Africa, a new source of ecclesiastical tension is appearing in the United States

by NewsRoom
Jul 04, 2022 | 15:24
0

The ecclesiastical antagonism in which the Moscow Patriarchate is engaged against the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the other churches that...

Bishop of Sozopolis at the churches of Sts Anargiri in Oakleigh and St Haralambos in Templestowe

Bishop of Sozopolis at the churches of Sts Anargiri in Oakleigh and St Haralambos in Templestowe

by NewsRoom
Jul 04, 2022 | 14:41
0

On the evening of Thursday, 30 June 2022 Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis presided in the Great Vespers of the...

The Ecumenical Patriarch congratulated Fr. Alex Karloutsos

The Ecumenical Patriarch congratulated Fr. Alex Karloutsos

by NewsRoom
Jul 04, 2022 | 13:55
0

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been informed with great joy and paternal pride that the President of the United States...

Newsletter

Sign up for our weekly newsletter



Quick Links

  • Orthodoxy
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • History
  • Press Releases

Get Social

About Us

Advertise

Contact

© 2022 OrthodoxTimes.com
digital world media

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Greek Version

© 2022 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT