After serving as a museum for nearly eight decades, the Turkish government is moving forward with its plans to convert the Church of the Holy Savior in Istanbul into a mosque. This decision, reminiscent of the 2020 reversion of the Hagia Sophia, entails the resumption of Islamic prayers and rituals within the ancient church, as reported by Fides, the information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

The Church of the Holy Savior, also referred to as Chora Church, holds a distinguished status as one of the world's most remarkable Byzantine treasures, adorned with an array of unique icons and frescoes, each telling stories of religious significance and artistic mastery.

Initial reports surfaced from Turkish media outlets, particularly the daily Yeni Şafak, suggesting that the mosque would reopen its doors for Islamic prayers on February 23, 2023. However, the Turkish Directorate General of Institutions, operating under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, refuted these claims, asserting that an official opening date has yet to be announced.

The conversion project from museum to mosque commenced in 2020 with the ambitious goal of completion by October of the same year. However, unforeseen delays stemming from extensive restoration work prolonged the timeline. Turkish media sources now indicate the successful culmination of this protracted initiative, known as the "Kariye Mosque."

Situated in the northeast sector of Istanbul's historic center near the Adrianople Byzantine Gate, the Church of the Holy Savior stands as a testament to architectural and artistic excellence. Constructed in the 12th century and later restored in the early 14th century, its significance transcends mere aesthetics, representing a cultural and religious focal point.

Following the conquest of Constantinople, the Ottomans preserved the structure in its original form until its conversion into a mosque in 1511, during which the breathtaking frescoes and icons were concealed beneath layers of plaster.

In the aftermath of World War II, the veiled treasures of Chora Church were rediscovered by diligent archaeologists and historians. In 1945, the building was repurposed as a museum, with religious activities prohibited within its hallowed halls.

However, in August 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the reversal of the 1958 decision to establish the site as a museum, thereby laying the groundwork for its reinstatement as an Islamic place of worship. This decision, rooted in political and religious considerations, sparked debates both domestically and internationally, raising questions about the preservation of cultural heritage and religious tolerance.

Greek and international experts emphasized the significance of safeguarding and conserving the ancient Byzantine Christian mosaics and frescoes found within the historic Greek Monastery of the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora, Istanbul. They voiced apprehension over the Turkish government's decision in 2021 to convert the monastery into a mosque.

These apprehensions were voiced during an international symposium held in Athens in the same year, under the title "Re(dis)covering Chora: The Byzantine Name of the Rose." The symposium was organized by the European Center for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments (EKBMM).