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[yialousa1971]

Christian tombs desecrated in an historic Constantinople cemetery.

09/22/2009 12:36
TURKEY
by NAT da Polis

About 90 tombstones are broken. Incidents of this nature are not rare in the city but the local press failed to report it. Only recently and through a movie, have young Turks begun to learn about past anti-Christian pogroms. Ecumenical patriarch Bartholomew visits the cemetery in question.

Constantinople (AsiaNews) – A Christian cemetery was desecrated in Constantinople. Unknown person or persons broke 90 tombstones that bore the sign of the cross and the name of the deceased. The incident occurred a few days ago in the historic cemetery of Valukli near the ancient Valukli Monastery, the only monastery dedicated to Our Lady still open in Constantinople, located outside the ancient walls of Theodosius, and which five non-resident nuns care for.
Constantinople's Christian cemeteries have been desecrated on a number of occasions in the past 20 years. The latest outrage brought back memories of the tragic events of September 1955 when churches, cemeteries and properties owned by Constantinople's Orthodox community were desecrated and destroyed in a pogrom. Eventually dubbed the September pogrom, the event was the brainchild of Turkey’s political-bureaucratic-military establishment, known here as Derin Devlet or ‘deep state’.

The pogrom has remained engraved in the memories of Constantinople's Christians who at that moment realised that their survival in the city would be difficult, if not impossible.

Young Turks have learnt about such tragic episodes only recently, when Guz Sancisi, a movie by young Turkish woman director Tomris Giritlioglu, was screened in local theatres to great review and box office success.

It is also important to keep in mind that Christian cemeteries are very large and serve as a reminder of the small Christian presence in this country.

Given Constantinople's huge urban development, Christian cemeteries have become surrounded by human habitation and are coveted by developers.

A law adopted in the 1930s transferred title to cemeteries to municipalities; hitherto, they had belonged to religious foundations

Outraged and grieved by what happened, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (pictured) went to see the desecrated cemetery, asking why such acts continue to strike Christian graveyards.

Despite the seriousness of the incident, the local press did not report it.

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=16387&size=A

[Christine Toskos]

It is sad that this event did not receive international attention. Image if this was done to Jews or Muslims? There would be an uproar throughout the world!

[yialousa1971]

It is sad that this event did not receive international attention. Image if this was done to Jews or Muslims? There would be an uproar throughout the world!

Jews control the press and Turks are their friends.

[Christine Toskos]

Why do Turks hate Jews so much. All the Turks I know say Death to Israel with all their Muslims brothers.

[insan]

Why do Turks hate Jews so much. All the Turks I know say Death to Israel with all their Muslims brothers.

Yallahusa is a forum moderator.. so, don't insult him being a Turk.

[Christine Toskos]

I never called him a Turk. Maybe you cannot read. But I accuse you of being a homosexual.

[insan]

I never called him a Turk. Maybe you cannot read. But I accuse you of being a homosexual.

This time, I'm sure u will be baned Krisdin. U r insisting on using foul language and I reproted u to Admin.

[Christine Toskos]

I find it offensive that you have an naked icon under your name. I think you should be banned for indecent exposure.

[YFred]

I find it offensive that you have an naked icon under your name. I think you should be banned for indecent exposure.

There we agree. I told him to replace but he refused.

[Christine Toskos]

Maybe there is still hope for us.