Persecution of Christians in Turkey: the desecration of the graves in the cemetery of the the Armenian Holy Savior and Surp Karasun Manuk churches in Ankara demonstrates the same contempt for the Christian history and heritage of Asia Minor that we see in the conversion of Hagia Sophia to a mosque, 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 Christian Cemetery Desecrated,” International Christian Concern, August 14, 2020:
08/14/2020 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – Recently, the graves in the cemetery belonging to the Armenian Holy Savior and Surp Karasun Manuk churches in Ankara were desecrated. Mustafa Yeneroğlu, Istanbul deputy and vice chairman of the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA), reported that the graves were vandalized and the remains were scattered.
It is believed that the vandals were searching for gold (such as gold teeth). A common misperception among many Muslims is that Christians are wealthy. This often leads to grave desecration, and sometimes more violent incidents.
“The bones need to be buried again and the area must be secured. To be civilized one has to preserve cemeteries and cultural heritage,” Yeneroğlu said. He is currently working with Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş to remedy the issue.
…In recent months, the repression of religious minorities and direct attacks on religious freedom have only increased….
