Panagia Soumela (Greek Orhodox) in Trabzon and the Cathedral of Holy Cross (Armenian) on Akthamar Island in Van were restored and opened as museums in 2010; the Turkish government allowed annual liturgies at these heritage sites until 2015. https://twitter.com/TurkishFacade/status/1288128748118839297

In 2010, the restoration of these two iconic heritage sites of Greek-Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Churches respectively was a move to strengthen Turkey's candidacy for EU membership.

I argued in the past that, if done in a pluralistic and inclusive manner, the restoration of sacred heritage has great potential to contribute to peace-building and reconciliation efforts.

The annual liturgies at Soumela Panageia and Akthamar Church are very important steps; however, Turkish government's attitude negatively effects the pluralistic and inclusive potential of these events.

Erdogan's defensive statement “If we were a nation targeting the symbols of other beliefs, the Sümela Monastery which we have had for the last five centuries, would be gone forever,” indicates that this is a PR move to ease the backlash he received for #HagiaSophia's conversion.

Just to make it clear: Panagia Soumela was a functioning Greek Ortodox Monastery until 1923. It suffered tremendous amount of damage, and several other monasteries and many churches in the Black Sea region were demolished completely in the 20th century.

Erdogan's conquest mentality permeates his perception of heritage of religious minorities: he does not see protecting Panagia Soumela as Turkey's responsibility, but rather formulates it as a gesture of good-will extended to a conquered minority.