Metropolitan of Piraeus: Hagia Sophia is not a bilateral, but an international issue

Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus

“Turkey is a historical enemy of our homeland,” said Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus.

In an interview with SKAI TV station, Metropolitan Seraphim commented on the challenges from Turkey, the reform of the penal code and the statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about Hagia Sophia.

“Unfortunately one can choose friends, but not neighbors.” Turkey is a historical enemy of our homeland,” said Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus.

“The aim of the neo-Ottoman Erdogan is to challenge the Treaty of Lausanne. It is a revisionist position on the part of Turkey, which is incompatible with international law,” Metropolitan Seraphim added.

Asked to comment on the statements by the Turkish President for Hagia Sophia, the Metropolitan stressed: “This will have a huge impact on the international community. Hagia Sophia is not a bilateral issue, to be solved between Turkey and Greece. It is an international issue.”

Furthermore, Metropolitan of Piraeus referred to the reform of the penal code, stressing that: “The government is attacking a legal right of enormous importance, that is religious peace.”