Armenian Church

A great contribution to the culture and history of the Ottoman Empire was made by the Armenians. Armenian Church in Istanbul is a living monument of this.

Armenian Church in Istanbul

This church has a great importance for the Armenians. Armenian Patriarchate is considered one of the most important religious centers of the Armenian people in the world. There are four of them: Yerevan, Beirut, Jerusalem, Istanbul. Moreover, no one has any priority over the other, they are equal. Armenian patriarchate in Istanbul has a long and interesting history. New Armenians appeared in the city on the banks of the Bosphorus in the time of the Roman Empire. The city was called Byzantium, and the Armenian kingdom was occupied by the Romans. Conquered people began to emigrate far inland. Many Armenians - traders and artisans - have settled in the Byzantine Empire. After Rome fell and the Armenian kingdom acquired and lost independence now and then, the Armenians have both appeared in Constantinople and then left it. Many of them remained within the Empire, blending with the Greek population. Of course, they needed a church. This is how patriarchy appears in the city. But the real history of the Armenian Patriarchate begins with... apparition of the Ottoman Empire.

Mehmet the Conqueror and Patriarchy

It is difficult to believe, but the real Armenian Patriarchate appeared in Istanbul only after the city was occupied by the Ottoman Turks. Conqueror of the city, Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror pursues a policy of squeezing the Greek population out of the city. By contrast, he welcomed representatives of other nations in Istanbul. Armenians who lived in Asia Minor were already well known to the Turks. Therefore, Mehmet encouraged the settlement of Armenians in Constantinople by a special decree and welcomed the establishment of patriarchy. There was no religious oppression in the Ottoman Empire, people of other faiths only had to pay more taxes than the Muslims. The conduction of subjects who practiced other religions was carried out through their religious head. So, Mehmet the Conqueror strongly recommended the Armenian community to elect a patriarch as quickly as possible and build a church. Everything was done at the request of the ruler of the Ottoman Empire.

Building

Armenian patriarchy changed its church for several times until they’ve found the most convenient option in the mid 17th century. It was the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary for worship services and wooden administration building. The wooden construction has survived to this day despite many fires that raged in Istanbul during the Ottoman Empire. Patriarchate of Istanbul is situated close to the Cathedral of St. Sophia.