Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Jan 26 2008
Surp Hreºdagabet: an example of architectural pluralism in Balat
İstanbul’s neighborhoods developed in such a way that they grew
up around religious cores such as churches, mosques and synagogues,
with a good example of this phenomenon found in Balat.
Despite its predominantly Jewish population, people of different
religions and ethnicities have lived, and continue to do so in
smaller numbers, and worked there side by side, with the urban mix of
the area the result of the neighborhood’s diverse ethnic population.
Once you enter Kamıº Street in Balat, the garden walls of the
Surp Hreºdagabet Armenian church, located near Yanbol Synagogue and
Ferruh Kethüda Mosque greet you with a beauty that has resisted the
course of time. Historically it is located in the Bulgarian quarter.
One of many examples of a synthesis of different architectural forms,
Surp Hreºdagabet (also known as Holy Archangels) was originally a
Greek Orthodox church known by the name of Hagios Eustration that was
built in the 13th century and was given to the Armenian community as
a gesture of good will in 1627. It is also said that the church was
then blessed by Stepanos of Bursa.
After being abandoned by its Greek Orthodox congregation, Surp
Hreºdagabet was given to the around 20,000-strong Armenian community
that had settled in Balat as compensation after an Armenian church in
İstanbul’s Fatih district was transformed into Kefeli Mosque in
the same period. Surp Hreºdagabet is a church dedicated to the
archangels Michael and Gabriel.
The church underwent restoration in 1628, according to the
inscription on the wall behind its altar; however, the present
building dates from 1835 and was built after the original wooden
church was destroyed by fire several times. The side chapel and the
ayazma (sacred spring) in the building are original Byzantine
features. The ayazma is said to be built upon the bones of St.
Antonios, discovered during the latest restoration.
There is an imposing building located to the south of the church that
today serves as a warehouse. According to historical sources, it was
an Armenian school back then the Armenian community was much larger
during the 19th century.
The reliefs depicting St. George killing a dragon and Jesus chasing
thieves as well as the cast iron door that has German and Latin
inscriptions on each side and opens from the main room to a side
gallery are impressive. This door, dating back to 1727, is said to
have been discovered in an excavation during the reign of Sultan
Mahmut I in Topkapı Palace.
Every Sept. 14, the church holds a unique ritual in which animals
such as sheep or roosters are sacrificed and distributed to the poor.
People also believe that the water at the church’s ayazma has
curative abilities, so people of various religions flock to the
church on holy days to find a remedy for their illnesses.
Wandering through the streets of Balat is sufficient to realize how
different ethno-religious groups rubbed shoulders in this district.
Ferruh Kethüda Mosque is within easy reach of Surp Hreºdagabet.
Another church and synagogue also stand near by.
Some facts on İstanbul’s Armenian community:
Armenians were Christian elements brought to İstanbul from the
eastern Anatolian and Caucasus regions after the conquest of
İstanbul by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror in 1453.
In addition to large groups of Armenians summoned to the new capital,
Mehmed II also brought to İstanbul Bishop Hovakim of Brussa
(today’s Bursa), whom he made patrik (patriarch) over all Armenians
and non-Orthodox Christians in his territories and gave him all the
privileges accorded to the Greek Orthodox patriarch in 1461.
Large numbers of Armenians brought to İstanbul, the capital city
then, also helped in the repopulation of the city. Armenians mostly
settled along the shores of the Marmara Sea and some in neighborhoods
such as Balat, Kumkapı, Hasköy and Samatya as well. The number
of Armenians coming to İstanbul kept increasing gradually
because other Ottoman sultans who succeeded Mehmed II followed his
policies. There were around 200,000 Armenians living in İstanbul
in 1895.
26.01.2008
BܪRA İPEKÇİ İSTANBUL
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
