The 130-year-old Panayia Evangelistria Greek Orthodox Church, located in Dolapdere, Istanbul, and which came to the fore when its historical custom-made bells were mysteriously stolen in 2005, is being restored.
The restoration process is expected to be completed with the opening ceremony to be held in the spring of 2024.
Restoration and renovation work is being carried out at the 130-year-old Panayia Evangelistria Greek Orthodox Church, which is located parallel to Irmak Street in Dolapdere and stands out with its historical appearance among the nearby automobile repair shops, kiosks and automobile tire shops. The church, which has the status of a second-degree urban protected area and has been awaiting renovation and restoration work for a long time, has 2 bell towers and 1 clock tower.
The place of worship, which was built in its current form by the Greek community in Beyoğlu and its surroundings in 1893; Due to time, lack of maintenance and natural factors, damage has occurred at certain points, especially its roof. In 2005, two specially made bells of the church were stolen by thieves who were thought to have sneaked into the building by using a ladder; Despite all searches, could not be found.
APPROXIMATELY 600 PEOPLE CAN WORSHIP
In the church, whose restoration process was initiated with the contributions of the Greek Patriarchate of Istanbul and the support of a donor, it was seen that the internal stairs, wooden seats and structures were repaired and made reusable, and the Christian motifs and symbols on the ceiling and interior walls were restored by hand painting.
If the work on the building progresses without disruption, it is expected to be opened for worship with a special ceremony to be held in the spring of 2024. It was learned that approximately 600 people can worship in the church, and that the bell, which was built and installed by donors a few years later, will be placed on the tower of the church after the restoration, instead of the bell that was stolen in 2005.
Beyoğlu Yenişehir Panayia Evangelistra Church Foundation President Alexandros Meydan and Vice President Prodromos Kozmaoğlu gave information about the restoration process and the historical structure.
Kozmaoğlu said, “3 people actively work in our foundation; Up to 600 people can worship in the church, but our congregation is very small here. We can talk about 30 people or less. We hold mass every Sunday with people coming from outside and with foreigners. “Our doors are open every day of the week, from 08.00 am to 04.00 pm, to all visitors.” (Main image:Wikimedia)
