Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew said Turkey's courtesy, opening the Sumela Monastery to worship for one day and allowing Orthodox Christians to hold a historic mass to mark assumption of Mother Mary, was a praiseworthy act for Christians.
Orthodox Christians from Russian Federation, Greece, Georgia and the U.S. poured in Trabzon, a Turkish city by the Black Sea Coast, for an historic mass at the Sumela Monastery which was closed to worship for 88 years.
Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew led the mass marking the Assumption of Mother Mary, a sacred day for Christians. The mass was attended by 500 Orthodox Christians. The monastery was opened to worship for a single day with special permission of the Turkish government.
Patriarch Bartholomew who paid a visit to Ertugrul Genc, the Mayor of the Macka town --where the Altindere Valley home to Sumela Monastery is located-- after the meeting, said he was grateful for all the help afforded to Orthodox Christian pilgrims.
He said Turkey's courtesy to the Orthodox Christians and the Fener Greek Patriarchate would be praised by Turkey's friends and those who want to see Turkey as a part of the European Union.
Standing at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altindere valley in Trabzon's Macka town, Sumela Monastery lies at an altitude of approximately 1,200 metres. Founded in the year 386 AD during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I (375-395), legend has it that two priests undertook the founding of the monastery on the site after having discovered a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave on the mountain.
(OZG-EÖ)