Panagia Sumela Monastery in Trabzon, a site of great historical, religious and cultural significance perched on a cliffside 1,200 meters above sea level becomes a pole of attraction for Pontian Greeks and Orthodox people every 15 August.
A major tourist attraction of the Altindere National Park, Sumela would see thousands of people travelling from across the globe to attend the yearly Feast of the Assumption.
Turkish authorities notified the Ecumenical Patriarchate that the permit allowing the monastery to perform the mass for the last five years has been revoked.
The reason for the ban was attributed to static problems which have become apparent in the building following restoration procedures.
Several Pontic Greeks have been alarmed fearing the explanation offered is a pretext from the Turkish goverment, as it has not been clarified whether the license has been permanently revoked or not.
