ACI MENA, May 9, 2024 / 06:00 am
Kariye, the former Byzantine Church of St. Savior in Chora, located in the Fatih district of Istanbul and converted back into a mosque by presidential decree on Aug. 21, 2020, was reopened for Muslim worship on May 6 after extensive restorations. The structure is famous for its outstanding Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.
The opening ceremony at the mosque, organized by the General Directorate of Foundations, was held the day after Orthodox Easter, on May 6. The reopening of the Kariye mosque was part of a massive inauguration of 201 restored structures and works — including 33 in Istanbul.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the ceremony via video conference, which was led by Safi Arpaguş, the mufti of Istanbul. After the speech, the president of Turkey requested the ribbon to be cut, declaring “Ya Allah, Bismillah” (Oh Allah (God), in the name of Allah (God)). Many citizens present for the event entered the mosque and prayed after the official part of the ceremony.