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In Trabzon's Maçka district, on the slopes overlooking the Altındere Valley of Karadağ, stands one of Turkey's most significant religious centers, the Sumela Monastery. Today, a sacred and important day in the Christian world, marking the "Assumption of Mary," was observed with the 10th divine liturgy held at the monastery.
The ceremony was led by the Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew.
After the approximately 1.5-hour-long ritual, Bartholomew took photographs with the attendees.
What happened?
The Feast of the Assumption of Mary celebrated at the Sümela Monastery in Trabzon every year faced criticism this year from İYİ Party and the New Welfare (Yeniden Refah) Party politicians who demanded its cancellation.
İYİ Party Spokesperson Kürşad Zorlu stated that the coincidence of the ceremony on August 15 with the conquest of Trabzon couldn't be a mere coincidence. Yeniden Refah Party Istanbul Deputy Doğan Bekin claimed that the ceremony violated the Treaty of Lausanne.
The Fener Greek Patriarchate, in response, expressed its disappointment at certain politicians targeting their religious activities. They stated:
"We also celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary in many churches in our homeland. With the permission of our government, as in the past 10 years, this year our Patriarchate will hold the feast at the Sümela Monastery dedicated to Mary. In recent days, our religious activities have been targeted by certain politicians, which deeply saddens us. Our visit to Trabzon, where we will only be celebrating our feast for a few hours, has been turned into a target through political rhetoric. As a nation that has lived in these lands for centuries, we condemn these unjust statements against us. Our trust in our state is unwavering."
(TY/PE)
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