NewsFire.GR confirms the report about an impending decision by Turkish authorities to postpone the religious service scheduled at the Panagia Soumela Monastery on August 15, due to nationalist pressures that the date coincides with the conquest of Trabzon. This decision has sparked strong reactions among the global Pontic Greek community.
What the Turkish Media Says
Reports on local Trabzon websites (61 saat, Haber anlik, Akcaabat gazetesi, Gune bakis) mention the change in the date for the August 15 service.
According to 61 saat, the service that was to be held at the historic Soumela Monastery was postponed by a week due to its coincidence with the anniversary of Trabzon's conquest, which led to public outcry. Although no official announcement has been made yet, the new date will be announced soon.
In Gune bakis, Muhammet Erkan, the local leader of the Iyi Parti (Good Party) in Trabzon, expressed disdain for the postponement, stating that the event, which he calls a "dirty Pontic show," is still going to take place. He criticizes the decision, claiming it mocks Turkish patriotism and demands the service be either canceled or purged of "separatist elements."
Erkan also condemned the use of the title "Ecumenical" by the Patriarch Bartholomew of the Phanar, arguing it violates the Treaty of Lausanne and Turkish laws. He views the service as an insult to Turkish sovereignty and a promotion of Greek interests, declaring that his party would put an end to such activities if it were in power.
Global Council of Pontic Hellenism Reacts
The Global Council of Pontic Hellenism sent a letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, expressing concern over the decision. They noted that this is the first time since the revival of the service in 2010 that the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will not preside, with Metropolitan Stefanos of Callioupolis and Madytos leading the service instead.
The Council highlighted the historical and cultural significance of the Soumela Monastery for Pontic Greeks and criticized the postponement of the service. They emphasized the economic benefits the service brings to the local Turkish community and called for the return of historical relics from the monastery that are stored in Ankara museums.
The Council urged Turkish authorities to reconsider the decision and restore the original date of the service, reaffirming their desire for peaceful coexistence between Greece and Turkey.
