Hagia Sophia is an idea, new Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos said, immediately after his enthronement on Saturday, in the Metropolitan Church of Panagia in Imbros.
“Hagia Sophia is an idea that cannot be taken in isolation. It remains in our heart, our soul,” Metropolitan Kyrillos said to Greek channel MEGA TV. “The historic church of Hagia Sophia was, is and will remain alive in the hearts of the Greek diaspora wherever they are,” he added.
The former president of the Imbrian Association of Athens, Paris Asanakis, also spoke on MEGA TV and said that the decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque did not affect all citizens of Turkey: “It will be understood that this decision does not affect the entire population of this country,” he said.
The Ecumenical Patriarch, following the enthronement of the new Metropolitan of Imbros and Tenedos, said in his homily that the actions of the Turkish authorities to devastate Imbros in 1964 made the Imbrians stronger.
Finally, in an exclusive statement to MEGA TV, the Metropolitan of Imbros and Tenedos, following his enthronement, spoke of the psyche of the Imbrians. “Despite what is happening now, we must remain with our heads held high. I believe that beautiful things will be happening from now on,” he pointed out.