2,500 ORTHODOX EXPECTED IN A RELIGIOUS MASS AT SUMELE MONASTERY
TRABZON - Local executives of Turkey's northern
Trabzon province expect some 2,500 Orthodox people to attend a religious
mass at the Sumela Monastery.
Trabzon's governor Recep Kizilcik said that Trabzon was expecting 2,500 Orthodox believers from Greece, Russian Federation and Georgia for the religious mass to take place on August 15 at one of the most important worship places for the Orthodox world.
"The religious mass will not only contribute to tourism but also to dialogue, tolerance, peace and affection among the countries and peoples," Kizilcik told AA correspondent.
Kizilcik said local executives had decided to allocate a place for only 500 people at the courtyard of the monastery in order not to harm the monastery.
When the mass would take place and who would be the 500 people to attend the religious ceremony would become clear at the end of the meetings among the authorities, the governor said.
Kizilcik also said the rest of people who came to Trabzon could visit the Sumela Monastery as a tourist.
Standing at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altindere valley in Trabzon's Macka town, Sumela Monastery lies at an altitude of approximately 1,200 metres. Founded in the year 386 AD during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I (375-395), legend has it that two priests undertook the founding of the monastery on the site after having discovered a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave on the mountain.
The principal elements of the Monastery complex are the Rock Church, several chapels, kitchens, student rooms, a guesthouse, a library, and a sacred spring revered by Orthodox Greeks. The entrance to the Monastery leads up a long and narrow stairway.
The inner and outer walls of the Rock Church and the walls of the adjacent chapel are decorated with frescoes. The main subject of the frescoes are biblical scenes telling the story of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
