Following is the message President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued on the occasion of Easter:
“I congratulate with my sincerest feelings our Christian citizens of various churches and groups on Easter, one of their most important feasts.
As the members of a deep-rooted civilization which views differences as a richness and which is built upon mutual respect and affection, we deem it of utmost importance that all our citizens can freely practice their religions, cultures and traditions regardless of their faith, denomination and ethnicity.
This culture of coexistence rising in the Anatolian lands forges today, as it did in the past, the essence of our peace and fraternity while also serving as our strongest asset that will take us to future.
We, as the state, continue to mobilize all our means to ensure that all our citizens, including the Christian ones, with whom we have shared joy and grief throughout centuries, can freely practice their religion.
Within this context, I would like to recall some of the works we have recently undertaken. Akdamar Church, which dates back over a thousand years, was restored with great care. Iron Church in Istanbul’s Balat was reopened for worship in 2018 following the restoration works. The possession issue of immovable properties that belong to Syriacs, including churches and monasteries, was resolved and their title deeds were handed over to the Syriac community. Ground was broken in 2019 for the first-ever Syriac church of the Republican era. Mar Petyun Chaldean Church and the Middle East’s largest Armenian church Surp Giragos Church, both damaged in attacks by the PKK terrorists in Diyarbakır’s Sur, are currently under restoration.
I hope that the peaceful coexistence of various religions and communities for centuries in these lands and our efforts aimed at ensuring that each citizen of ours can freely practice his/her religion set an example for the entire world.
While the world is going through difficult times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Christian citizens will unfortunately not be able to gather for Easter at their churches because of the measures taken. However, we believe that our country will overcome this period with the smallest effect possible thanks to the meticulous implementation of the measures and that life will return to normal for us all as soon as possible.
I am highly pleased to see that our august nation has displayed in the fight against the COVID-19 the finest examples of unity and solidarity as it does in the face of every hardship. The National Solidarity Campaign, which we have launched in a spirit of unity and solidarity, has once again shown that there is no obstacle our Nation cannot overcome thanks to its unity and solidarity. I hereby also thank our Christian citizens who have lent support to our National Solidarity Campaign.
On the occasion of Easter, I extend my heartfelt greetings and wish well-being to all Christians, particularly our Christian citizens.”
https://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/speeches-statements/558/118121/president-erdogan-s-message-on-easter