SUMELA, Turkey—The Greek Orthodox faithful flocked to the cliffside setting of Sumela monastery in northeast Turkey on Aug. 15 after Ankara allowed Mass to be celebrated here for the first time in 88 years, reported AFP.
“After 88 years, the tears of the Virgin Mary have stopped flowing,” the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, said during the service.
Greece’s Prime Minister George Papandreou, speaking after attending Mass on the Cyclades Islands off the Greek mainland, welcomed the “historic and important event.”
It was a sign of bilateral rapprochement with Turkey and reflected “a spirit of cooperation and peace between us and our neighbor,” the prime minister said.
The site is of particular importance to Pontian Greeks, whose ancestors were massacred during the Pontian Genocide, which Turkey denies to this day.
On Aug. 15, around 500 Pontians were allowed into the 4th-century monastery, while around 2,000 others from Istanbul, Greece, Russia, and Georgia watched the mass on a giant television screen outside.
“For us the Virgin of Sumela is more important than our own mother,” Charalambos Zigas, a 51-year-old mechanic from Greece, told AFP. “You have to be a Pontian Greek to understand the importance of this Mass.”
He said that when his grandfather fled the mountainous region for exile in Russia in 1922, he lost his wife and son who were eaten by bears.
Many of the faithful sought out houses that used to belong to their ancestors.
“Everyone here is like me, they came to see the region, find a house… We’ve even met two people from here who say they’re Pontian and we spoke Pontian Greek,” Greek veterinarian Maria Piativou, 42, told AFP.
“It is a very exciting moment for us Greeks because it’s the first time we get to have such a Mass,” Ketevan Nadareishvili, 24, told the Associated Press. “We can pray on the land of my great-great-grandfathers.”
Turkey in May sent a letter to the patriarch authorizing mass to be celebrated here once a year on Aug. 15.
The gesture appeared aimed at Turkey’s own Greek Orthodox minority, thought today to number around 2,000 people, which complains of discrimination.
Akhtamar is next
In a similar gesture to Turkey’s Armenian minority, Ankara also authorized Mass to be celebrated in September at the Church of Akhtamar, in the eastern Van province.
President Serge Sarkisian’s Republican Party this week spoke out against Armenian participation in the mass. The party spokesman, Eduard Sharmazanov, denounced the Turkish government’s decision to reopen it for a one-day religious ceremony on Sept. 19 as a publicity stunt and “provocation” aimed at misleading the international community.
“Once again, instead of taking a serious step, the Turks are staging an imitation show,” Sharmazanov told RFE/RL’s Armenian service. “I don’t think you can achieve tolerance and solidarity of civilizations in that way.”
In turn, Armenian Revolutionary Federation political affairs director Giro Manoyan urged Armenians to boycott the mass.
“I think it would be wrong to go there on a day set by Turkey and especially in these conditions of blockade and so on,” Manoyan told RFE/RL. “I don’t want to blame believers willing to go there but they must know that they somewhat contribute to the Turkish provocation.”
Manoyan expressed regret for the decision by His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, to send two senior clerics to the Sourp Khatch (Holy Cross) Church for the mass. “I’m not sure that’s the right step,” Manoyan added.
Oh what a big favor; Turkey allowed a minority perform a mass after 88 years of modern barbarism and only God know what kind of dirty plan they have in their mind.
Greek people shouldn’t be exited, I guess at the time when it is getting unveiled by Germans that Turks used chemical weapons against their Kurdish population they need to do such insignificant thing to evade world public attention towards something so-called nice, similar to one is planned for Armenians in Akh-Tamar island.
It is very interesting to know if they were allowed Greeks to use Cross in those ceremonies or it was against Turkish “Constitution”, because they are shamelessly converting an ancient Armenian Cathedral to a Museum by not allowing a Cross which was defiantly stolen by Turks; to be installed on it.
It’s amazing what suckers some Armenians, Greeks, and the international media are for Turkish games.
“When Turkey fought Greece between 1920-22 during its war of independence, several tens of thousands of Pontian Greeks were massacred, or died as they went into forced exodus. Some 350,000 people died in what is known as the Pontian Genocide, which Turkey denies to this day.”
This paragraph could not have been more poorly worded. The Greek Genocide began in 1914. Systematic massacres and deportations in the so-called Pontus region began as early as 1916 and not in 1920 or in response to the Greco-Turkish war as is suggested. 350,000 people did not die. That figure pertains to one particular estimate which conflicts with all other accounts. It wasn’t a “Pontian Genocide” but a Greek Genocide. Ottoman Greeks throughout the Empire were targetted in the Genocide. For more on this falsehood, see http://www.pontiangenocide.com/
Thank you Harry for bringing light to this horrific policy of the Turks. In our efforts to convince the world of these crimes, it is important for us to emphasize that the Turkish poilicy of extermination was implemented agianst the historic Christian population of Asia Minor and Anatolia. The historic Greek presence, be it in the Black Sea/Pontus area or in western asia minor, wss eliminated. The ancient Assyrian community was ravaged and of course the presence of Armenians in Western Armenia tragically ended. It was a genocide of the Christian presence in “Turkey”.
Despite these calamities, we can not let cynacism and hatred guide our thinking. We can look at these events as Turkish propaganda or we can say ” sure maybe it is”, but how can we leverage this into momentum. The Turks are in a dangerous position. External pressure is forcing these “concessions” ….i.e. Greek monastery, Aghtamar church. Each time they do this( and there will be more), the door opens a little, questions get asked and momentum is built.
THE ONLY QUESTION IS WHETHER WE ARE POSITIONED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS AND SEIZE THE MOMENT OR WHETHER OUR VICTIM MENTALITY WILL LEAD US MISS THE OPPORTUNITY !!!
Yes, Stepan – NOW is the moment. The Pontian Greek Community should NOT allow the Turks to forbid their ancestral religion, nor should it be restricted or dictated. I would love to see the Greek patriarch CONTINUE to conduct mass, every week, every month, every year from this day forward.
The world will be watching over you, seize this moment, that NO Turk, NO man – shall dictate to you when and how often you shall be “allowed” to communicate with God, in YOUR church, for YOUR people. No man is above God, and certainly no turk. erdogan is exposed for the LIAR he is. he is ordering the use of chemicals against kurdish civilians, TRANSGRESSING the territory of Iraq, and breaking international laws. the turks are also violating Cypriot territory, illegally occupying and populating Cyprus, by force and violence. along with the illegal occupation and theft of Armenian property and land. imposing a blockade against Armenia………whilst funding armed turk terrorist jihadists to “pose” as ‘peace activists’ (for which erdogan recieved a FAT check from his paymasters in Riyadh) – when added with the turk denial of genocide………..erdogan appears as a multi schitzophrenic chameleon, who changes his cheap suit to “look” the part of whatever pathetic role he plays. Maybe he is hoping for a career in Hollywood? lol.
Notice that the Turks are allowing this Greek mass only after 99.999+% of Greeks are gone from their homeland in what is now “Turkey.” It is safe to say that the Greek community will not be rebuilt in the foreseeable future, and that suits Turkey just fine.
So Turkey risks very little by allowing a mass to be held and stands to gain a lot of good publicity, as the Turkophiles in the international press depict the event as something wonderful when in fact it is not.
I agree with Stepan that we (Armenians and Greeks) should take advantage of it all, but I do not think that participating in such events and being bought off is the way to do it. The way to do it is to keep up the pressure.
Thank you Harry for the information….It was helpful.
I agree with David B. and Rebecca…
I feel sick to my stomach just thinking about how conyving and manipulative Turkish Govt is and how she is using these events to score points with those who believe Turkey is moving toward more peaceful and righteous path….. by dangling a carrot in front of Armenians by allowing one day of the year to hold a mass in Aghtamar and in front of Greeks by allowing one day of the year to hold a mass in Sumela is a joke.. it is like a slap on my face.. basically the Turks are saying they are still the boss and they will dictate the terms as to when and how we should conduct these holy masses..They are telling us that Turkey belongs to them and them only… They are saying to us: Who are you Armenians, Greeks or simply any Christian??.. They still see us as minority and we are worth nothing….. I say “May God punish those who continue to deprive these ancient people from their rights”… Turkey will get her share.. sooner or later…
Rebecca, I loved the part where you said…
erdogan appears as a multi schitzophrenic chameleon, who changes his cheap suit to “look” the part of whatever pathetic role he plays. Maybe he is hoping for a career in Hollywood? lol
One small addition…. Erdogan is a spineless chameleon… bastard…
G
Rebecca, you bring up an excellent point. Once the Turks inadvertantly open the door(thinking that this is only to their advantage), there’s needs to be follow up while the media focus(that the Turks ironically arrange) is available.
What if the Greek patriarch or other clergy showed up to do mass every week. if he is refused , let it be an act of civil disobedience in the name of religious freedom( isn’t that what the Turks are claiming?). All while the camera’s roll and the press is present. When the Turks expose themselves publically, they actually weaken their ability to oppress. This is the great irony of this attempt by the Turks to woo the EU. We can turn the tables if we have the will and stop thinking we want nothing to do with any of these events. Find the silver lining and seize the moment.
Dear Rebecca and Stepan,
While your suggestions of a possible mass at Sumela once a week, refusal by Turkish government, press recording it all etc. sound interesting, I submit to you that it is very naive and simple minded. This is a very, very dangerous proposition to even entertain in Turkey. One thing the article did not mention is the security that was required to hold this mass. Not only on the ground but with helicopters flying overhead (even during the mass). It was a big step for the Turkish Government to take. Let us appreciate it and continue to work at bringing the truth(s) to the people of Turkey. It may not be fast enough for some, but we need to persevere.
Look at the internationall and the Catholics are spinning this, as if it is some generous act that the Turks have allowed a mass at a Greek church:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003324.htm
Ani is absolutely right. There are ruined and abandoned Armenian churches all over the world, including in Armenia itself, due to 90 years of Communist rule, earthquakes, invasions, and population exchanges. The problem is, there are not enough Armenians to use or restore them, so when someone steps up to the plate and actually restores an Armenian historic site, we need to show some modicum of appreciation…no matter how small, and frankly, it is ignorant and impolite not to. Yes, alot of negativity has happened in Turkey in the last 100 years…I think everyone knows that very well, but we should not respond with negativity…as two wrongs do not make a right. Let’s change the dynamic from our perspective and with what is in our control, and put the best foot forward. Carrying a thousand year old grudge does not advance or help peace or friendship at all. Let go of the past (which DOES NOT mean to forget it!)…and embrace the future, because that’s all there really is….tomorrow. So, make the best of it. You really will be alot happier as a result.
Ruined and abandoned Armenian churches all over the world, including in Armenia itself, were due, indeed, to 73 years of Communist rule, earthquakes, and population exchanges but not the premeditated genocide of the Western Armenian population and destruction of Western Armenian civilization by the Turks; not because of transformation of Christian churches into Muslim mosques, and not because of transformation of Christian religious sites into sheepfolds. Carrying a thousand year old grudge indeed does not advance or help peace or friendship. Repentance does. Apology for committing a heinous crime does. Remorsefulness does. There is no future without the past to let go of it. No national psyche is complete and sober without the past. For the sorrowful past to be overcome and brighter tomorrow embraced, a victim-nation must receive an apology from the murderer-state.
Hye, now to read in www.groong.com (Tues 8/17)
from Katia Peltekian – ANKARA Sumela Monestery (misspelled)
“Altnkum Didin Today 8/16 Turkey
read Turkeys’ version – write-up/interpretation of the Pontian ONE DAY event. And,
too, how the write-up will be for the Armenian ONE DAY event… following Sept. 19th… Manooshag
My sentiments exactly David. Suckers indeed and its cheap propaganda too, that’s the worst part! Thank God not all of us are pawns of Turkish propaganda.
Bravo Karo! Very well said.
Karekin, your dreaming in technicolor again as usual.
Hye, read that the Pontian Greek ONE DAY of religious services – permitted by the ‘brave’ Turks, attendees paid $12 admission – required to a church? to Turks? Too, all mention of their Greek church ‘renovations’ were lacking… the building still in shambles – Turks lying, again. It just get worser and worser – the Turks inhumanity obviously, ongoing – still, a major trait of the Turks – still Ottoman style – still IN YOUR FACE PONTIC GREEKS, still IN YOUR FACE ARMENIANS, too, now IN YOUR FACE AMERICANS (NYC mosque site). -Bullying merrily along – unabated, as if the Turk have rights to ‘tell off’ nations of the world. As if a Turkey is head and shoulders outstanding and up front as a nation. Too, the world’s nations allow/accept these PLOYS as due and deserving of this from such – a Turkey who knows only to Genocide and lies to the world, and too, lies to themselves – a Turkey. Manooshag