Brussels, February 14th, 2024. Presentation of the Volume “Hagia Sophia. The Churches of the wisdom of God around the world”

On Wednesday, February 14th, 2024, the IAO in collaboration with the Holy Metropolis of Belgium and the Brussels Hellenic Network – Argo, organized the presentation of the French edition of the Volume “Hagia Sophia: The Churches of the Wisdom of God around the World” at the Orthodox Center Ambiorix in Brussels.

In his greeting, the head of the international institution underlined that “The Turkish leadership continues, unfortunately, to ignore the voices of rationality, both from abroad and from Turkey itself, to stop exposing Hagia Sophia to the risk of irreparable deterioration. On the contrary, obstinately insists on the unacceptable desecration of this nearly 1,500-year-old Church, as has converted it into a mosque, and a place of countless daily visits by thousands of people. In addition, as if this were not enough, with the same arrogant fanaticism and guided by the instrumentalization of religion, proceeds to convert the Monastery of Chora into a mosque, ignoring the very possible destruction of its adorned of incomparably beautiful mosaics. In view of this disregard of historical truth and universal values, we will continue with all our forces to strive for the awakening of public opinion and especially the decision-making centers. And one of them is undoubtedly the EU institutions, here in the heart of Europe”.

The Volume was presented by professor emeritus of the Free University of Brussels, member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Letters and Fine Arts of Belgium, Mr. Lambros Kouloubaritsis, and the head of the Cypriot delegation to the IAO and Member of the IAO International Secretariat, Mr. Panikos Leonidou.

The presentation was attended, among others, by the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for the promotion of the European way of life, Mr. Margaritis Schinas, who addressed the audience. A greeting was also addressed by His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg, while the presentation was moderated by the President of the “Argo – Brussels Hellenic Network”, Mr. Spyros Pappas. The event was also attended by the Vice-President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Bulgarian MEP, Mr. Andrej Kovachev.