THE PROTECTION OF ORTHODOX PATRIMONIA IN TURKEY
THE PROTECTION OF ORTHODOX PATRIMONIA IN TURKEY

Summary/Abstract: From the current international press we are dealing with current crisis issues, but in addition to focusing on major international and national events, the influence of religion must not be overlooked. In order to preserve religious cohesion, it is essential to protect the Orthodox heritage. As European citizens, it seems normal for us to have rights and to respect our ethnical, linguistic, religious values, etc. We offer rights to national minorities and we support pluralism, including religious pluralism. But, how do the Orthodox people from Muslim countries such as Turkey, feel, for example, from this perspective? The paper is focusing on the study of the Orthodox churches in Turkey, on the attempts by the Greeks from the country of origin (or other Orthodox people) to support the Greeks from Istanbul in order to ensure the protection and survival of Orthodoxy in the cradle of Old Byzantium. It is also important to take into consideration the existence of the Syrian Orthodox Church. The case study is based on the status of the "museum" of Saint Sophia. In many processes of everyday life, religion plays an important role and can influence the system both directly and indirectly through the mentality of the population. Although Atatürk attempted a secularization at the level of the Turkish state, unfortunately, the influence of Muslim religion and diminishing the rights of religious minorities is now increasingly felt. I had chosen this theme, because it seemed an interesting topic, there is not enough research about it in our country, but it is also a worrying topic in the light of the latest events. Also, the events from the European Union's neighborhood have left their mark, influencing its functioning (for example, Turkey was considered a buffer country in the refugee crisis). The paper is focusing on the study of the Orthodox churches in Turkey. The project aims at studying the way in which Orthodox heritage in Turkey is protected. In this respect, the paper is looking at the historical context, at the analysis of the religious minority rights, at the evolution of the status of the churches in that state. Also, it is important to take into consideration the existence of the Syrian Orthodox Church.

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