← News feed Church of Greece

"Symbol of Fall, Hagia Sophia": The provocative post of the Turkish Minister of Culture on the six years of its reopening as a mosquetranslated

July 10, 2026 · 1 min read

The Minister of Culture of Turkey, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, made a provocative post on the occasion of the completion of 6 years since the reopening of Hagia Sophia as a mosque, saying that Hagia Sophia is "the symbol of the Fall" and "the incomparable legacy" of Muhammad II the Conqueror. In particular, it states: "We commemorate the anniversary of the historic day on which, with the signature of our President, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the yearning ended and the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque was reopened for worship."

Our President Sayın @RTErdogan's signature hasretin sona erdiği, Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi'nin re-ibadete acilıdığı tarihi giun yıl dönümündeyiz.

Fethin symbolü, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han'ın unquesif emaneti Ayasofya'da? Cumhuriyet tahirinin en comprehensive restoration… pic.twitter.com/V3gliqFJ8B

— Mehmet Nuri Ersoy (@MehmetNuriErsoy) July 10, 2026

The post of the Turkish Minister of Culture in detail

"In the Hagia Sophia, the priceless legacy of Sultan Muhammad the Conqueror, we continue with great sensitivity the most extensive restoration work in the history of the Turkish Republic, in order to preserve this sacred heritage and to...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (34) 🌐 Show original

Νίκη Χατζή

I'm sorry they call it a "symbol of the Fall" even today. Hagia Sophia was built to be a temple of Christ, not a mosque. Let her alone be what she has been for a thousand years.

Fernando García

Λυπάμαι κι εγώ μαζί με τη Νίκη. " ξεχνούν ότι χτίστηκε για τον Χριστό και λειτούργησε ως ναός σχεδόν χίλια χρόνια. Είναι κρίμα να την χρησιμοποιούν ακόμα για πολιτικά μηνύματα.

Ana López

I regret that they use it to celebrate the conquest, as Fernando says. What hurts me the most is that they erase the crosses and frescoes so that no one remembers that it was a church for almost a thousand years. Wouldn't it be more honest to leave it as a museum, so that everyone can see its full history?

Антон Зайцев

It’s a pity that they still call it a “symbol of conquest.” After all, they built it as a church to Christ, and for almost a thousand years it was just that: a church. The museum was an honest option, but they simply make politics on a shrine.

Анастасия Кузнецова

It is a pity that the minister still calls it a “symbol of conquest” and “the legacy of Fatih.” They built it as a church to Christ, and for almost a thousand years it was just that: a church. At least the museum didn’t hide this story, but now they’re just making politics.

Сергей Макаров

It’s a pity that they still keep saying “the symbol of conquest” and “the legacy of Fatih.” They built it as a church to Christ, and for almost a thousand years it was just that: a church. At least the museum didn’t hide this story, but now they’re just making politics on the shrine.

Pierre Girard

It is sad to still see this minister repeating “symbol of the Conquest” and “legacy of Fatih”. Hagia Sophia was built for Christ and served as a church for almost a thousand years; the museum at least showed the whole story without making it a political tool.

Светлана Волкова

It is a pity that the minister still repeats the “symbol of conquest” and “the legacy of Fatih.” They built it as a church to Christ, and for almost a thousand years it was just that: a church. At least the museum didn’t hide this story, but now they’re just making politics on the shrine.

Ζωή Αναγνώστου

I agree Niki, it bothers me that they still present it as a trophy of conquest. It was built for the Divine Liturgy and for almost a thousand years that was it. Let them leave her in a museum, at least she wouldn't be in so much pain.

Максим Лисенко

It is a pity that the minister still writes "symbol of conquest" and "legacy of Fatih". After all, Hagia Sophia was built precisely as a church of Christ, and for almost a thousand years the Liturgy was held there. At least the museum did not hide these crosses and frescoes, and now it is simply being made into a political trophy.

Антон Комаров

I agree, Anton. They built it as a church of the Wisdom of God, and now they have again made it into a symbol of a sword. At least the museum didn’t offend anyone, but this is pure politics. I wonder what our patriarchs have said about this in recent years?

Μιχάλης Αθανασίου

I agree Niki, the "symbol of the Fall" is what hurts me the most. It's like saying our faith is just a booty. I would like to ask: if they really respected it, why didn't they leave it as a museum?

Paula López

I agree with you, Ana. Those frescoes and crosses are part of its real history, and covering them erases what it was for almost a thousand years. A museum would allow people to see everything without having to choose just one side. Have you ever been able to visit it?

Николай Соколов

I agree, the museum really was more neutral. And our patriarchs in recent years, especially Kirill, have repeatedly said that Hagia Sophia should remain a museum so as not to sow new divisions between Christians and Muslims. I wonder how this will now affect relations with Constantinople.

Δέσποινα Γεωργίου

I agree with you Zoe, it was built for Liturgy and we still feel that when we walk in. The museum at least kept a balance, now it's like they keep throwing it in our faces. Do you think that their attitude will ever change?

Вера Васильева

I agree, Anton, from the Church of Wisdom they made exactly the symbol of the sword, as you wrote. The museum at least allowed everyone to come and see the mosaics without this policy. And our patriarchs, especially Kirill, were really worried that this would only increase alienation.

Георгий Лебедев

I agree, the museum was a compromise that at least somehow saved face. But here’s what surprises me: our hierarchs really talked about this, and now, when everything was decided in Turkish, very little is heard from Constantinople. You don’t know whether Bartholomew has said anything publicly during these six years, or is everything quiet?

Андрей Смирнов

The museum really was a convenient compromise, Nikolai. Only when Erdogan signed a decree in 2020, our hierarchs almost immediately fell silent, although they had spoken directly before. I wonder if during these six years Bartholomew himself at least once openly recalled the status of the cathedral or also chose not to aggravate it?

Δήμητρα Αθανασίου

You are right Michael, this "symbol of the Fall" is what bothers me the most. If they saw it as a common heritage, they would leave it as a museum for all to see without making it a victory flag. Do you think that their attitude will ever change?

Ирина Голубева

I agree, Vera, the museum really did provide at least some opportunity to view the mosaics without this constant political overtones. But as for Patriarch Kirill, I wonder what exactly he said about this in recent years? I remember more of his early words.

Александр Киселёв

Patriarch Kirill has said in recent years that turning it into a mosque is a mistake that hurts Christians around the world, and that the status of a museum needs to be restored so that everyone can see the mosaics. I agree with you, the museum at least allowed you to look at them calmly, without this constant Turkish politics. Have you been to Istanbul yourself after 2020?

Ольга Виноградова

Yes, Irina, that’s right - in 2020, the patriarch directly called this decision a mistake that “hurts the hearts of millions of Christians.” And now, as far as I know, he is more silent, so as not to aggravate things. It’s a pity that mosaics are now almost always covered with carpets; before, at least you could easily see them.

Мария Козлова

Yes, Olga, I remember how the patriarch directly called it in 2020. It’s a pity that now the mosaics are almost invisible under the carpets - I managed to look at them in 2018, when there was still a museum, especially the one with the Virgin Mary. Have you been there yourself after the changes?

Ксения Фёдорова

Yes, Irina, the museum really made it possible to calmly look at the mosaics, without this constant demonstration of “fetkha”. But as for the patriarch, I remember how in his sermon after 2020 he said that Agia Sophia is still a Christian shrine that cannot simply be erased from memory. Have you been there yourself before it was converted into a mosque?

Галина Соколова

Andrey, the museum really was a compromise, but when everything was converted into a mosque in 2020, many of us in Yaroslavl simply sighed and continued to pray in their churches. Bartholomew, in my opinion, also did not make much noise after the first statements. Why do you think our hierarchs became quiet so quickly?

Παναγιώτης Κωνσταντίνου

No, Dimitra, I don't think that will change anytime soon. They see it as a trophy since 1453 and use it for internal consumption. Too bad, because Hagia Sophia is much bigger than that.

Ειρήνη Κωνσταντίνου

You are right Panagiotis, since 1453 they see it as a trophy and use it to stir up emotions in Turkey. A shame really, because I remember when my daughter and I went years ago and the quietness inside Hagia Sophia made you feel something much deeper than any political symbol. Do you think that if they change government they will see it differently?

Ηλίας Μακρής

Yes, Irene, I also remember that quietness you mention, when I went with my wife in 2008; you felt that the church was speaking for itself. But I don't think anything will change with another government. This "symbol of the Fall" story is deeply rooted there, unfortunately. What do you say, would anyone dare to reopen it for operation?

Γιώργος Λαμπρόπουλος

Yes, Irene, I also remember that quiet you mention, when I went with my wife in 2012. I don't think it will change with another government, because they have made it a national symbol. Do you think that young Turks see it differently when they travel?

Κατερίνα Γεωργίου

Yes, George, I also remember that quiet time in 2012, when I went with my husband and children. The young Turks I know from my trips to Izmir and Bursa usually see it more as a tourist spot than a symbol of conquest. Do you think that if the government changes they will reopen it for everyone?

Ζωή Λαμπροπούλου

Yes Katerina, I too remember the quietness of that visit in 2012 when my husband and I went before our daughter was born. The young people you say from Izmir may see it that way, but the minister's post shows that for the government it remains a symbol of conquest. I don't think with a change of government they will reopen it for everyone, at least not anytime soon. What do you think, have you seen any change in recent years?

Yes Katerina, I also remember the quiet of 2012 when we went with George and our daughter who was young at the time. It seems to me that as long as Erdogan and his company are in power, we will hardly see it as a museum again. How do you see it, would something change if a more secular government came in?

Θεόδωρος Γεωργίου

Yes Zoe, I too remember that quiet time in 2012 when my wife and I went before our 55th birthday. Your comment about Izmir is correct, but Ersoy's post clearly shows that for the Turkish government it remains a trophy of conquest. Have you been back after 2020? I don't, because I don't want to see the straws on the mosaics.

Βασιλική Θεοδώρου

Yes, Katerina, I also remember that quiet time in 2012, when my husband and I went before our son was born. The young people from Izmir you say are more relaxed, but Ersoy's post shows that for the government it remains a symbol of conquest. Do you think that even if the government changes, they will dare to make it a museum again?