The images shown on social media and they show a foreign band dancing disco, are a disgrace to world culture and a stain on Orthodoxy. The whole issue caused the reaction of the Greek Foreign Ministry, which, in a statement, is surprised that the relevant permission was granted, given that the Monastery is only open for pilgrimage purposes. These images are offensive and add to a series of actions by the Turkish authorities against World Heritage Sites, the Foreign Ministry stresses. «We call on the relevant Turkish authorities to do their utmost to ensure that such acts are not repeated and that the sacred space of the monastery is respected,» the statement added. «Turkey is defacing and altering the character of religious and historical monuments».
At the same time, the Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou, vice-president of the Committee on International Trade of the European Parliament and MEP of the New Democracy and the EPP, submitted a question to the European Commission on the occasion of «the granting of permission by the competent state bodies of Turkey for the organization of disco parties in the courtyard of the historic Monastery of Panagia Soumela». The Greek MEP, according to the relevant statement, denounces the Turkish government that «by desecrating Panagia Soumela, once again, as it did with Hagia Sophia and the Monastery of Chora, it proceeds to defile and alter the character of religious and historical monuments, in flagrant violation of European principles and values» and Asks the European Commission what action it is prepared to take and what measures it intends to take to protect these World Heritage sites.
«After the conversion of Hagia Sophia and the Chora Monastery in Istanbul into mosques, the granting of permission to organise disco parties at Panagia Soumela is added to the list, demonstrating once again that the desecration of Orthodox holy shrines is a regular tactic in Turkey», he notes. It adds that «Panagia Soumela, which is the main historical pilgrimage of the Greeks of Pontus, but also a holy pilgrimage of Orthodox Christians everywhere, is already on the provisional list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. and is expected to be included in the final list after completion of its work».
Concluding her question, the MEP underlines: «Given that the Turkish government is systematically engaging in acts of smearing and altering the character of religious and historical monuments, in flagrant violation of European principles and values, what action is the [European] Commission prepared to take and what measures is it going to take in order to protect World Heritage sites such as the Panagia Soumela».
