Erdogan government converts Byzantine-era Chora Church into mosque
ISTANBUL — Following through on plans announced four years ago, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has inaugurated the ancient Byzantine-era Church of the Savior, also known as Chora Church, in Istanbul after its conversion into a mosque.
The conversion of the historically significant Chora Church, following the earlier conversion of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul in 2020, elicited expressions of joy from Turkish citizens both within and outside the country. However, Greece and other nations urged Turkey to safeguard Christian landmarks and places of worship, vehemently denouncing the Turkish government’s actions.
Both churches are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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Originally converted into a public museum in 1945, the Chora Church underwent restoration before being repurposed as a mosque.
Dating back to the 4th century A.D., the church endured attacks and sustained significant damage during the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
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