Turkish authorities recently seized about 50 properties – monasteries, cemeteries and churches – that belonged to the Syriac Orthodox Church, claiming the ownership deeds had lapsed. “Our churches and monasteries are what root Syriacs in these lands; our existence relies on them,” Ergun said to Al-Monitor. Related Image Expand / CollapseErgun also said that they have already filed with the court for about 20 of the title deeds with plans to do so for the remaining 30. "Christians haven't always faced pressure from the Turkish government or even from Erdogan's Justice and Development Party,” Nicholson added. “But Turkish politics are changing, and it's still unclear how minority groups like the Syriacs will fare in the end."

Source: Fox News July 07, 2017 18:56 UTC