GreekNewsBlog: johnmetaxas.com

Sunday November 18, 2007

Turkish officials intentionally damage historic Christian monastery

Turkish officials intentionally damage Greek Orthodox monastery

2007-11-16 19:06:10 - ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) - A 700-year-old monastery used by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul was vandalized by government officials, a patriarchate official told the Associated Press on Friday.

The official said officials from Turkey's Ministry of Environment and Forestry had damaged the Christ the Savior Monastery so badly that religious ceremonies cannot take place until it is refurbished. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak to the press.

Turkish officials damage Christian monastery

Turkish officials damage Christian monastery

He said the monastery, which dates from the 13th century, was under renovation when the incident occurred. He said that officials told workers Tuesday that the renovation was being done without authorization, and then damaged the monastery, breaking windows and throwing tiles off the roof, he said.

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Kathimerini: Monastery on Halki wrecked

The Ecumenical Patriarch responds.

See more photos of the damage.