LRAPER Church Bulletin
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
Contact: Deacon V. Seropyan
T: +90 (212) 517-0970
F: +90 (212) 516-4833
E-mail: patriarchate@post.com
or haybad@superonline.com

Boyacikoy Armenian Church To Be Inaugurated On 26 June

His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All
Turkey, visited the Armenian Church of the Three Holy Youths in
Boyacikoy, on May 22nd, Saturday morning, accompanied by His Grace
Bishop Aram Ateshian, the Grand Sacristan of the Patriarchal See,
and the Revd. Fr. John Whooley, currently in Istanbul continuing
his doctoral research on Armenian church history. The Patriarch was
welcomed by the Boyacikoy Parish Council, headed by the Chairman,
Mr. Nazaret Ozsahakyan.

The Boyacikoy Armenian Church was founded in 1836 during the tenure of
Patriarch Stepanos Aghavni II. The building of the Church of the Three
Young Men was constructed by Misak Amira and consecrated by Patriarch
Hagopos III in 1840. Suffering extensive damage from the 17 August 1999
earthquake, the Boyacikoy Armenian Church was closed to worship. The
Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul and the community members responded
to calls from the Parish Council to provide financial aid for the
repair and renovation of the historic church. Due to the slow flow
of funds, the renovation took over four years to complete. Patriarch
Mesrob examined the completed work during his visit and expressed
his satisfaction to the Parish Council members.

Tea was served by the members of the Sayat Nova Choir of the Boyacikoy
Church and all present gathered around a table of love. The Patriarch
informed the Parish Council that the Patriarchate has decided to
re-consecrate the renovated church building to the glory of God on
June 26th. The first Divine Liturgy in Boyacikoy, since the year 1999,
will be celebrated on Sunday, June 27th.