UNTHINKABLE - Agia Sophia In Trapezounta Converted to Mosque For Muslim Prayer!

According to the Radikal newspaper, the Greek Orthodox Church of Agia Sophia in Trabzon (or Trapezounta) was converted into a Mosque and a massive Muslim prayer was held. The Church of Agia Sophia (Greek: meaning "Holy Wisdom"), now the Saint Sophia Museum, is a former Chalcedonian (Greek Orthodox) church located in the city of Trabzon in the north-eastern part of Turkey. It dates back to the thirteenth century when Trabzon was the capital of the Empire of Trebizond. It is located near the seashore and two miles west of the medieval town's limits. It is one of a few dozen Byzantine sites still existent in the area.

Some 52 later, the Church was once again the scene of a massive prayer, but not of the Christian sort. Believers of Muslim faith flooded the Church and covered the icons and the Byzantine art with carpets and curtains and held a massive prayer.

Quoting the local Vakif Direction of Trabzon, who owns the estate where the Orthodox Church is today, Wikipedia reveals that this Greek Church will eventually be permanently converted into a mosque, so it is safe to say that the recent prayer was a "warning" of many things to come.

In fact Wikipedia claims that the reconstruction works have already been started. The mufti of the Turkish province Trabzon, note that “the works for opening this mosque in the city to practice prayers again are going on,” and while that is happening the Church will function as Mosque and “during the prayer the mural paintings will be covered by curtains".

Fortunately not all citizens in Turkey feel the same way. In fact many Turkish local scholars and activists are protesting against this event and they have already started a petition campaign against its transformation.

Looks like they are too late.

(Editor's Note - Imagine what would happen in Greece if local citizens began converting Mosques into Churches... One hint: It would get very, very ugly.)

(Sources - Newsit - Wikipedia)