“We admire the positive developments in religious freedom for the Orthodox Minority in Türkiye,” says ABTTF

Halit Habipoğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), noted that once again this year a religious service will be held at the historic Sümela Monastery in Türkiye. He said they “admire the positive developments regarding the freedom of religion and worship for the Orthodox minority in Türkiye,” while stressing that the religious autonomy of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace continues to be violated.

A liturgy will take place on Saturday, August 23, at the Sümela Monastery in Maçka, Trabzon province. The service, held on the occasion of the Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, will be led by Metropolitan Andreas of Kırklareli on behalf of the Fener Greek Patriarchate. As in previous years, Orthodox Christians from around the world are expected to gather in Trabzon for the event.

In his statement, Habipoğlu emphasized Türkiye’s respect and tolerance for different religions and cultures:

“By allowing another liturgy this year at the historic Sümela Monastery, our motherland Türkiye has once again demonstrated its respect for different faiths and cultures. Since 2010, services have been held at Sümela, despite there being no local Greek Orthodox community in the region. Recently, the Panagia Church on Bozcaada was also reopened for worship after restoration, and for the first time in many years, Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos led a service there. We admire these positive practices regarding the religious freedom of the Greek Orthodox minority in our motherland.

In contrast, in our country Greece, the religious autonomy and freedom of worship of our community, which are guaranteed by international treaties, have been systematically violated for years through laws and unilateral government practices. Our elected muftis are not recognized, and with the 2022 law, our mufti offices have been transformed into ordinary state institutions in violation of our religious autonomy. We call on our country to immediately end its policies aimed at abolishing our community’s religious autonomy and to fully respect religious freedom.”