The Christian Post website reports today (August 15, 2010) that Turkey allowed Christians to hold a rare service at a politically sensitive monastery for the first time since the modern-day country's creation nearly nine decades ago.
Sunday's Mass at the ancient monastery of Sumela -- near the Black Sea -- was led by Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians.
Over 1,500 pilgrims from Greece, Russia, and other countries traveled to the Byzantine-era monastery for the emotional three-hour service.
Observers believe that the move is part of the Turkish government's effort to improve its public relationship with ethnic and religious minorities amid its bid to be allowed to join the European Union.
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