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ISTANBUL ARMENIAN CHURCH DOORS TO OPEN AFTER 100 YEAR WAIT
Kristine Aghalaryan
hetq
01:52, May 3, 2011
There have been no religious services in the Istanbul Armenian Surp
Vortvots Vorodman Church (Children of Thunder) for the past 100 years.
But the doors to the church will finally open this July.
Deacon Vagharshak told me that the site hadn't been used as a church
since World War I. "The community has been dreaming about renovating
the church and in 1987 plans were drafted but the amounts needed were
staggering. It remained a dream."
Today, renovations on the church are in full swing. After renovations
are complete, the church, with its original style intact, will also
serve as a cultural center.
This building was built upon the edict dated February 2, 1828 granted
Mahmud II to Kazaz Artin (Harutyun Amira Bezdjiyan); and its plans were
drawn by royal architect Kirkor Amira Balyan and M.Devlet Garabet. The
compound is comprised of a cathedral (Mother Mary) and two chapels
(Surp Khach and Surp Vortvots Vorodman) and opened for services on
October 14, 1828.
The transformation project in this monumental building is targeted
to constitute an example for other churches.
Kevork Karakeuzian, who directs the renovation project, says the cost
is 2.7 million Turkish Liras of which 70% has been allocated by the
Turkish government. The balance is being contributed by the Istanbul
Armenian Patriarchate.
The entire project was a part of the renovations in the city related
to the Istanbul's run as a 2010 European Capital of Culture. A total
of 610 projects were completed with a total budget of 300 million
Turkish Liras.
"What's really important is that this is the first time that the
government has allocated such a large sum for the renovation of a
church," says Karakeuzian.
Allaying concerns that the renovated structure would be used solely
as a cultural center, Mr. Karakeuzian said that religious services
could be held and that there would be a place to light candles.
From: A. Papazian
Kristine Aghalaryan
hetq
01:52, May 3, 2011
There have been no religious services in the Istanbul Armenian Surp
Vortvots Vorodman Church (Children of Thunder) for the past 100 years.
But the doors to the church will finally open this July.
Deacon Vagharshak told me that the site hadn't been used as a church
since World War I. "The community has been dreaming about renovating
the church and in 1987 plans were drafted but the amounts needed were
staggering. It remained a dream."
Today, renovations on the church are in full swing. After renovations
are complete, the church, with its original style intact, will also
serve as a cultural center.
This building was built upon the edict dated February 2, 1828 granted
Mahmud II to Kazaz Artin (Harutyun Amira Bezdjiyan); and its plans were
drawn by royal architect Kirkor Amira Balyan and M.Devlet Garabet. The
compound is comprised of a cathedral (Mother Mary) and two chapels
(Surp Khach and Surp Vortvots Vorodman) and opened for services on
October 14, 1828.
The transformation project in this monumental building is targeted
to constitute an example for other churches.
Kevork Karakeuzian, who directs the renovation project, says the cost
is 2.7 million Turkish Liras of which 70% has been allocated by the
Turkish government. The balance is being contributed by the Istanbul
Armenian Patriarchate.
The entire project was a part of the renovations in the city related
to the Istanbul's run as a 2010 European Capital of Culture. A total
of 610 projects were completed with a total budget of 300 million
Turkish Liras.
"What's really important is that this is the first time that the
government has allocated such a large sum for the renovation of a
church," says Karakeuzian.
Allaying concerns that the renovated structure would be used solely
as a cultural center, Mr. Karakeuzian said that religious services
could be held and that there would be a place to light candles.
From: A. Papazian