The bells of Churches across Greece have been tolling mournfully with the flags waving at half-mast today, in protest against the opening of Hagia Sophia, after 86 years, as a Muslim Mosque in Constantinople (Istanbul).

The atmosphere throughout Greece is reminiscent of that of Good Friday and as it has been announced, on Friday evening the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece will preside over the Liturgy where the Akathist Hymn will be performed at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral.

The church bells of the Holy Temples in Thessaloniki are striking mournfully, in reaction to the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque.

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This afternoon, at 19.00, the Akathist Hymn will also be chanted in the Holy Diocese of Thessaloniki, while Archbishop Anthimos called for a nationwide prayer.

The bells are ringing mournfully in Patras as well: From 08:00 in the morning, about two hours before the Muslim Imam begins the Muslim prayer.

The bells of the churches all over Crete were also sounding mournful. This decision was taken after a meeting by the Holy Provincial Synod of the Church of Crete, as broadcast by the website neakriti.gr.