Persecution of Christians in Turkey: the desecration of the graves in this Christian cemetery in Ulus, Ankara demonstrates the same contempt for the Christian history and heritage of Asia Minor that we see in the conversion of Hagia Sophia and the Monastery of Chora to mosques, and the conversion of other ancient churches to mosques as well. This contempt for Christianity and Christians is also manifested in the ongoing denial of property rights and legal identity to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
For previous ChristianPersecution.com coverage of the persecution of Christians in Turkey, see here.
“Armenian Catholic Cemetery Desecrated,” International Christian Concern, March 19, 2021:
03/19/2021 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – The historical site of an Armenian and Catholic cemetery is being desecrated in Ulus, Ankara as construction continues on top of human remains. The Chamber of Architects Ankara Branch verified the remains and submitted stop work requests to several overseeing ministries. Not only does the construction of a state-owned bank continue, but oppositional political leaders are being barred from entering the site.
MP Garo Paylan, an Armenian-Turkish politician of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) condemned the continued construction and submitted questions to Parliament on why action was allowed to continue. Tezcan Karakuş Candan, President of the Chamber of Architects Ankara, also spoke out saying “the ongoing construction is a great disrespect to the multiculturalism of Anatolia. It is inhumane to be dumping concrete on top of those who lived in Anatolia, regardless of their religion, language or race.”
Paylan, Candan, and their accompanying group were stopped by police when they attempted to examine the Armenian cemetery site on March 16….
Armenian Christians are facing significant attacks against their heritage from both Turkey and Azerbaijan. Sacred places and items to Armenian Christians are being destroyed or misused for tourist attractions.
