On Tuesday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops announced on Twitter they were joining the Greek Archdiocese of America in observing a ‘day of mourning’ on July 24th for the Hagia Sophia after the Prime Minister of Turkey signed a decree declaring the long-time basilica a ‘mosque.’
The USCCB invited all of the Faithful to join them in the day of mourning, asking that “every Church toll its bells, every flag be raised to half-mast and that the Akathist Hymn is chanted or the rosary recited in the evening.”
The @goarch is inviting all Christians and people of goodwill to join in a Day of Mourning on July 24 for #HagiaSophia. They have asked that every Church toll its bells, every flag be raised to half-mast and that the Akathist Hymn is chanted or the rosary recited in the evening. pic.twitter.com/ib6R3wDiWQ
— U.S. Catholic Bishops (@USCCB) July 21, 2020
On their Facebook page, the USCCB shared the announcement by Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Diocese of America, saying they would be joining him in “in offering our prayers for the restoration of Hagia Sophia as a place of prayer and reflection for all peoples.”
Read the full announcement from Archbisohp Elpidophoros below:
Holy Eparchial Synod Designates July 24 as a Day of Mourning“And Let Our Cry Come Unto Thee”Sunday, July 19,…
Posted by Orthodox Observer on Thursday, July 16, 2020
May Hagia Sophia continue to be a place of prayer and reflection for all peoples.
Saint Joseph, terror of demons, cleanse this site of insensitive mischievous abuse. Saint Jean Vianney, pray for us. Amen.