Istanbul:

A medieval Byzantine Greek Orthodox church in Istanbul under restoration for several years will reopen as a mosque on February 23 following a decree by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2020.

As per a report from the pro-government Yeni Şafak daily, Erdoğan’s decree in August 2020 mandated the transfer of the Chora Church to the Religious Affairs Directorate for conversion into a mosque. Previously a museum under the Education Ministry, the church was known as the Church of St. Saviour in Chora or ‘Kariye’ in Turkish. The church had served as a museum for more than 79 years. It is adorned with many unique icons and frescoes. The interior is covered with portraits of Jesus and the saints dating back to the fourteenth century.

During the Ottoman era post the 1453 conquest of Istanbul, it functioned as a mosque before being converted into a museum by a 1945 Cabinet decision after the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

Renowned for its intricate mosaics and frescoes, the Chora Church's origins trace back to the fourth century, with its current form dating to the 11th–12th centuries. A court decision in 2019 revoked its museum status, clearing the path for its transformation into a mosque.

The conversion was delayed due to ongoing restoration work, unlike the Hagia Sophia, which was promptly converted into a mosque following a similar decree in July 2020. Prayers and Islamic rites will be performed once again in the ancient church, according to Fides, the information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

Yeni Şafak reported that the church's mosaics, frescoes, and interior were preserved during the restoration. It said the restoration work has now been completed and specially designed wool carpets were laid to open Muslim prayers.

The Greek media extensively covered the report, with the Greek Foreign Ministry condemning Turkey's plans, describing them as a "brutal insult" to another UN-listed World Heritage Site, and urging Turkey to embrace mutual respect and understanding between civilizations.

Critics accuse Erdoğan of catering to conservative and nationalist sentiments with such actions, arguing that converting historic Christian sites into mosques is disrespectful and endangers their preservation. Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou called Erdogan’s move an act of symbolic violence dictated by political arrogance. She said it is an act of cultural insecurity and religious intolerance, which condemns a treasure trove of Christian art and cultural nobility to obscurity.

However, advocates stress the multicultural heritage of Istanbul and the importance of preserving its diverse religious history.