Yoga session inside historic Syriac church in Türkiye’s Mardin causes backlash

A yoga session conducted at the Mor Yuhanon Dilimoyo Syriac church, a historic Syriac worship site in Mardin’s Dereici village, has caused widespread criticism.

The incident, which involved tourists using the church for yoga and sharing photos on social media, has sparked a debate about respect for sacred spaces.

Mor Yuhanon Dilimoyo Church in Mardin: A 1,700-year-old active worship site with deep cultural roots

The Mor Yuhanon Dilimoyo Church is the only active worship site in the village of Dereici, historically known as Killit. This 4th-century church was restored in 2006 and has a unique architectural design with four sections.

Located 7 kilometers east of Mardin’s Savur district, the village was once home to around 300 Syriacs, most of whom emigrated to Europe. Today, only one Syriac family resides in the village, acting as caretakers for the Syriac church.

Despite its remote location, the Syriac church continues to host occasional religious ceremonies. In September, a major service took place with participants from both Türkiye and abroad. The church also served as the setting for the film “Kapi” [Door], starring Kadir Inanir and Vahide Gordum.

Yoga session in active Syriac church draws outrage from Syriacs

The controversy erupted after yoga instructor Seda Deliormanli led a group in a yoga session inside the church. Participants moved furniture, laid out yoga mats, and carried out the session, later sharing photos online. The event drew sharp criticism from the Syriac community and social media users, with many calling it disrespectful.

Kenan Gurdal, vice president of the Istanbul Syriac Kadim Foundation, explained how the incident happened. “The group told the caretaker they wanted to meditate. Our caretaker, unfamiliar with the concept of meditation, thought it was a form of prayer and allowed them inside,” Gurdal said.

He added, “Our sacred places, including this church, are no different from mosques and synagogues. This incident shows the importance of ensuring proper oversight and educating caretakers about these issues.”

The Syriac Culture account on X condemned the event. “They came on a so-called cultural trip and disrespected our sacred church in Dereici by doing yoga inside. Sacred sites deserve respect, and this behavior is unacceptable,” their post read.

https://twitter.com/suryanilercom/status/1860674635743781004

Journalist Sahnur Kazanci also criticized the incident, emphasizing the importance of preserving the sanctity of religious spaces.

She said, “Even though some churches no longer hold services, any event must be conducted respectfully and with proper permission. But this church is still active, and no one should enter without fully understanding the rules.”

Apologies issued after widespread backlash over misuse of Christian sacred site

Faced with growing criticism, yoga instructor Seda Deliormanli apologized for the incident. “We visited Mardin as tourists, and the energy of the church captivated us,” she said.

“Inspired by similar events in Western churches, I thought it would be acceptable. I deeply regret the misunderstanding and apologize to everyone I may have offended.” She claimed to have sought permission from a local caretaker but admitted she did not fully understand the cultural sensitivities surrounding the Syriac church.

Community leaders have called for greater respect toward religious sites in Türkiye. “The sacredness of a place comes from the worship performed there,” theologian Akif Arslan said. He added, “Anyone planning an activity in a place of worship must understand the community’s values and act respectfully.”

Social media users also expressed their frustration. Comments ranged from sarcastic criticisms to questions about the participants’ awareness. One user wrote, “Not one person thought to question whether yoga in a church was appropriate?” Another commented, “Yoga has clearly consumed their sense of reason.”