Turkish authorities have revoked the permit for the ancient Monastery of Panagia Sumela, in the region of Trabzon (Trapezounta) in north-east Turkey to perform a liturgy once a year. The 4th Century Monastery, which opened in 2010 after 88 years, will not open this year to Orthodox Christian and other pilgrims, as the Turkish authorities informed the Ecumenical Patriarchate of their decision in a letter. The official reason given, according to religious site dogma.gr, was that it was shutting down for restoration work due to static problems. Sources in the Ecumenical Patriarchate, however, said the reason was simply an excuse and they expressed fears that the Church would not be allowed to reopen again. Turkey had allowed the operation of the monastery for the religious celebration of the Assumption of the Theotokos in its effort to show religious tolerance to minorities and due to large tourist revenues. The permit was revoked in a letter sent in May to the Patriarchate in Constantinople, without making clear whether the revocation would be for the current year.