For the third consecutive year, Turkish authorities have banned the Patriarchate of Constantinople from celebrating the Liturgy at Panagia Sumela

Turkish authorities have once again refused to allow the Divine Liturgy to be celebrated at the historic Panagia Sumela Monastery on the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, August 15 (New Style). This decision, now in effect for the third consecutive year, has sparked a wave of outrage among Orthodox Christians and Pontic Greeks around the world, according to the publication Vima Orthodoxias.

According to official information from the Patriarchate of Constantinople, permission to hold the service was granted only for August 23, the day following the Feast of the Dormition. Experts note that this practice, which has become routine, effectively undoes the progress made in 2010, when—after an eighty-year hiatus—a solemn service led by Patriarch Bartholomew was held at the monastery.

Analysts attribute such restrictions to pressure from nationalist circles within Turkey, who insist on a ban because August 15 coincides with the anniversary of the fall of the Empire of Trebizond in 1461. “Postponing the liturgy does not alleviate the international community’s concerns regarding the protection of the right to freedom of religion,” observers emphasize.

In light of the current situation, there are persistent calls for the Greek government and European institutions to take decisive diplomatic action. Members of the public and church leaders emphasize that Panagia Sumela is not merely an architectural monument, but a key symbol of Pontic Hellenism and global Orthodoxy, and that ensuring believers’ access to the monastery on feast days must be a priority in the dialogue on the preservation of religious and cultural heritage.

As a reminder, we previously reported that the Patriarchate of Constantinople had officially confirmed that it had received permission from the Turkish authorities to hold Divine Liturgies at two historic monasteries of significance to Orthodoxy.