Surp Hreshdagabet Church

Welcome to Surp Hıreşdagabed Church, an Armenian church located in the Ayvansaray neighborhood of the Fatih district in Istanbul, Turkey. This historic church has a rich history dating back to the Ottoman Empire. After the conquest of Istanbul, Fatih Sultan Mehmet implemented a policy of balance between the Armenian and Greek communities. As a result, some Greek churches were converted into mosques while others were given to the Armenian community for their worship. Surp Hıreşdagabed Church was one of these churches, which was transferred to the Armenian community in 1628, 1631 or 1636. The church was destroyed by fire in 1692 but was rebuilt with a decree and opened for worship in 1730. However, due to several fires, it was repeatedly damaged and rebuilt as a wooden structure. In 1827, the church was burned down again and was reconstructed with stone by the decree of Sultan Mahmud II. It was reopened for worship in 1835. In 2005, the church underwent renovations and was restored in 2012. During the restoration process, the relics of Saint Artemios of Antioch, who died in 362 AD and was brought to Istanbul, were discovered in the narthex of the church. These relics are now displayed in the holy water font dedicated to Saint Artemios, which can be accessed by descending the stairs in the narthex. Across from the church is the former Balat Khorenyan Armenian School, which is currently abandoned and owned by the foundation that oversees the church. Visitors to Surp Hıreşdagabed Church can admire its beautiful architecture and learn about its fascinating history. The church is open to visitors daily and offers guided tours in English and other languages. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this important cultural and religious landmark in Istanbul.

Location: Ayvansaray

Source: Wikimedia