Carney Visits Former Greek Orthodox Church Turned Mosque

26 Oct 2026, 01:30 by Bill Giannopoulos · Greek City Times

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited a historic Byzantine Greek Orthodox church converted into a mosque during his trip to Turkey, as Ottawa and Ankara moved to strengthen defence, nuclear energy and trade cooperation amid strained relations between Canada and the United States.

Carney visited the historic Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora in Istanbul on Saturday, October 24, accompanied by his wife, Diana Fox Carney. The building, now known as the Kariye Mosque, is renowned for its extraordinary Byzantine mosaics and frescoes and remains an important monument of Constantinople’s Christian heritage.

Originally a Byzantine Greek Orthodox church, the monument was converted into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. It was later used as a museum before returning to mosque use in 2020.

The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office said the site was selected to highlight the importance of cultural heritage as a bridge between peoples and nations.

The visit added a significant historical dimension to Carney’s trip, which focused primarily on expanding Canada’s strategic relationship with Turkey, including defence industry cooperation, energy security and trade.

Canada and Turkey Establish Strategic Partnership

Carney’s visit to Ankara on October 22 marked the first bilateral visit to Turkey by a Canadian prime minister.

During talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the two leaders launched a strategic partnership supported by a three-year action plan covering trade and investment, defence and security, energy, and people-to-people relations.

The agreement reflects Ottawa’s efforts to diversify its international partnerships as trade tensions with Washington create pressure on Canada to reduce its reliance on the US market.

Canada and Turkey are both NATO members, providing an established framework for cooperation on defence and wider security issues.

The partnership is also intended to expand commercial opportunities for businesses in both countries, with particular attention to strategic industries and international investment.

Defence Industry Cooperation Takes Centre Stage

Defence cooperation is a central pillar of the new relationship.

Canadian and Turkish officials signed an agreement on defence sector partnerships designed to connect companies in both countries and facilitate greater industrial collaboration.

The initiative could create opportunities for joint projects, technology partnerships and expanded exports, although specific contracts and project details have yet to be announced.

Turkey has developed a substantial domestic defence industry, while Canada is seeking to strengthen industrial capacity and diversify its international economic relationships.

The two countries have also expressed an interest in expanding cooperation in aerospace and advanced technologies.

For Ankara, closer ties with Canada could support its ambitions to expand defence exports and industrial partnerships. For Ottawa, the agreement provides another avenue to develop international commercial relationships within the NATO alliance.

Nuclear Energy and Critical Minerals on the Agenda

Energy cooperation is another major component of the partnership, with both governments identifying civil nuclear energy, liquefied natural gas, renewable energy and critical minerals as areas for closer engagement.

A joint statement on energy cooperation is intended to encourage investment, strengthen supply chains and support collaboration between industry stakeholders.

Canada has expertise in nuclear technology and uranium production, while Turkey is seeking to expand its energy infrastructure and diversify its energy sources.

The two countries are also looking to develop cooperation in sustainable mining and critical minerals, resources that are increasingly important to advanced manufacturing, clean energy and defence industries.

The announcements establish a framework for future cooperation rather than confirming specific nuclear construction contracts or investment commitments.

Trade Target Reaches $10 Billion Ambition

Canada and Turkey have set ambitious goals for expanding their commercial relationship.

Turkish President Erdogan said the countries aim to increase bilateral trade from approximately $3 billion to $5 billion, with a longer-term target of $10 billion.

The governments are also advancing negotiations towards a comprehensive free trade agreement, with the first round of talks scheduled to take place in Ankara from November 30 to December 4, 2026.

An agreement could create new opportunities across energy, mining, aerospace, manufacturing and defence, depending on the final terms negotiated.

The partnership also includes expanded air transport arrangements intended to improve connectivity between the two countries, support tourism and facilitate commercial activity.

Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with Turkey reached $4.3 billion in 2025, according to the Canadian government, demonstrating an existing economic relationship that both sides want to expand.

Canada Looks Beyond Its Traditional Trade Relationships

The new partnership comes as Carney seeks to strengthen Canada’s economic resilience amid tensions with Washington over trade and tariffs.

The United States remains Canada’s dominant trading partner, making diversification a significant challenge for Ottawa. Turkey offers access to a large domestic market and a strategic position connecting Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

However, expanding trade with Ankara will require more than diplomatic agreements. The success of the partnership will depend on whether businesses establish new commercial relationships, investment commitments materialise and free trade negotiations produce a workable agreement.

The two governments have now established a framework for cooperation spanning defence, energy, investment and transport.

Historic Greek Orthodox Church Now Functions as a Mosque

Carney’s visit to the Kariye Mosque brings renewed attention to the fate of one of Constantinople’s most important Byzantine Greek Orthodox churches.

The Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora was built as a Christian place of worship and became renowned for its extraordinary mosaics and frescoes depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary and scenes from Christian tradition.

Historic Greek Orthodox Church Now Functions as a Mosque

Following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the church was converted into a mosque. It was later turned into a museum before being reconverted into a mosque in 2020.

Carney Visits Former Greek Orthodox Church Turned Mosque

Although the building’s extraordinary Byzantine artwork remains a testament to its Christian past, its conversion has raised wider questions about the preservation and religious identity of historic Christian monuments in Turkey.

For Greeks and Orthodox Christians, the church represents a tangible connection to the Byzantine heritage of Constantinople, a city that stood at the centre of Greek Orthodox Christianity for centuries.

Carney’s visit took place as Canada and Turkey sought closer defence, energy and trade ties. However, the historic site also stands as a reminder that diplomatic engagement with modern Turkey exists alongside a difficult history involving the transformation of some of the most significant monuments of Byzantine Christianity.

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