Christianity in Turkey

Greek-Orthodox metropolises in Asia Minor, c. 1880.

Christianity has a long history in Anatolia (Asia Minor) and Armenian Highland (now part of Turkey), which is the birthplace of numerous Christian Apostles and Saints, such as Paul of Tarsus, Timothy, Nicholas of Myra, Polycarp of Smyrna and many others.

The percentage of Christians in Turkey fell from 19 percent in 1914 to 2.5 percent in 1927, due to events which had a significant impact on the country's demographic structure, such as the Armenian Genocide, the population exchange between Greece and Turkey, and the emigration of Christians (such as Levantines, Greeks, Armenians etc.) to foreign countries (mostly in Europe and the Americas) that actually began in the late 19th century and gained pace in the first quarter of the 20th century, especially during World War I and after the Turkish War of Independence. Today there are more than 160,000 people of different Christian denominations, representing less than 0.2 percent of Turkey's population, including an estimated 80,000 Oriental Orthodox, 35,000 Roman Catholics, 18,000 Antiochian Greeks, 5,000 Greek Orthodox and smaller numbers of Protestants (Mostly ethnic Turkish). Currently there are 236 churches open for worship in Turkey. The Eastern Orthodox Church has been headquartered in Istanbul since the 4th century.

Brief description

Two out of the five centers (Patriarchates) of the ancient Pentarchy are in Turkey: Constantinople (Istanbul) and Antioch (Antakya). Antioch was also the place where the followers of Jesus were called "Christians" for the first time in history, as well as being the site of one of the earliest and oldest surviving churches, established by Saint Peter himself. For a thousand years, the Hagia Sophia was the largest church in the world.

Turkey is also home to the Seven Churches of Asia, where the Revelation to John was sent. Apostle John is reputed to have taken Virgin Mary to Ephesus in western Turkey, where she spent the last days of her life in a small house, known as the House of the Virgin Mary, which still survives today and has been recognized as a holy site for pilgrimage by the Catholic and Orthodox churches, as well as being a Muslim shrine. The cave of the Seven Sleepers is also located in Ephesus.

All of the first seven Ecumenical Councils which are recognized by both the Western and Eastern churches were held in present-day Turkey. Of these, the Nicene Creed, declared with the First Council of Nicaea (İznik) in 325, is of utmost importance and has provided the essential definitions of present-day Christianity.

Today, however, Turkey has a smaller Christian percentage of its population than any of its neighbours, including Syria, Iraq and even Iran, due to the Assyrian Genocide, Armenian Genocide and Greek Genocide during and after WWI, and the subsequent large scale population transfers of Turkey's Christian population, most notably Greece, and the forced exodus of indigenous Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks and Georgians upon the breakup of the Ottoman Empire. This was followed by the continued emigration of most of the remaining indigenous Christians over the next century.

During the tumultuous period of the first world war and founding of the Turkish republic, up to 3 million indigenous Christians are alleged to have been killed. Prior to this time, the Christian population stood at around 20% of the total.

Demographics

In addition, the vast majority of Christians in Turkey have been members of indigenous Pre-Turkish and Pre-Islamic ethnic groups, extant in the region since the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age. The Turks have had poor relations with these ancient communities of Greeks, Armenians, Assyrians and Georgians, and the previous killings, deportations and emigrations of these ethnicities, which coupled with the emigration of the country's Jews and its nonrecognition of other religions, means that Turkey is a de facto Islamic state, and ethnic Turks are almost exclusively Muslim.

According to the newspaper, "Milliyet" reports 35,000 Muslim Turks convert into Christianity in 2008. There is small ethnic Turkish Protestant Christian community in Turkey which number about 4,000-5,000 adherents most of them came from Muslim Turkish background.

Today the Christian population of Turkey is estimated at more than 160,000 Christians, these include; 60,000 Armenian Apostolic, 35,000 Roman Catholics of varying ethnicities, 21,000 ethnic Assyrians, (mostly followers of the Assyrian Church of the East, Syriac Orthodox Church and Chaldean Catholic Church), up to 22,000 Greeks (3,000-4,000 Greek Orthodox, 10,000-18,000 Antiochian Greeks) and smaller numbers of Bulgarians, Georgians, and Protestants of various ethnicities.

According to Bekir Bozdag, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, there were 349 active churches in Turkey (October 2012). 140 Greek, 58 Assyrian and 52 Armenian.

Christian communities

• Constantinople (Istanbul) – The largest Christian population in Turkey is in Istanbul, which comprises a large community of Armenians and Greeks. The Patriarchate of Greek Orthodox Christianity.
• Antioch (Antakya) – original seat of the namesake Antiochian Orthodox Church, but now the titular see. The area has 7,000 Christians and 14 active churches. The area is known for having religious and ethnic diversity, having a majority Arab rather than Turkish population, a significant Alawite Muslim population and a large Christian community. The city has what has been suggested to be the oldest church in the world as well, the Church of St Peter, founded by the Saint himself.
• Tur Abdin area is a large area with a multitude of mostly Syriac Orthodox churches, monasteries and ruins. Settlements including:
  • Midyat – The Christian community in Midyat is supplemented by a refugee community from Syria and has four operating churches. Some of the most significant Syriac churches and monasteries in existence are in or near Midyat including Mor Gabriel Monastery and the Saffron Monastery.

Churches of the Byzantine rite

• Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

Istanbul is the seat of the patriarchate, one of the oldest of the Eastern Orthodox Churches.

• Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch

Antioch is the official seat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. Hatay Province including Antakya is not part of the canonic area of the Church of Constantinople. Most of the local orthodox persons are Arabic-speaking.

• Turkish Orthodox Church (unrecognized by all other churches in the world) was created by Turkish nationalists who tried to create a Turkish national church to counter the influence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for political reasons.

Armenian church in Vakifli, Turkey

Churches of the Armenian rite

Main article: Armenians in Turkey

Armenians in Turkey prior to the Armenian Genocide were centered,ironically, in the eastern part of turkey, known as the Armenian Highlands, or Western Armenia. Now, the majority are concentrated in Istanbul. A couple thousand others live scattered throughout Anatolian Turkey.

• Armenian Apostolic Church (Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople)

There are 35 churches maintained by the religious foundation in Istanbul and its surrounding areas. Besides Surp Asdvadzadzin Patriarchal Church (translation: the Holy Mother-of-God Armenian Patriarchal Church) in Kumkapi, Istanbul, there are tens of Armenian Apostolic churches. There are other churches in Kayseri, Diyarbakır, Derik, İskenderun, and Vakifli Koyu that are claimed by foundations as well. Around 1,000 Armenian churches throughout Turkey sit on public or privately owned land as well, with them all either being re-purposed or abandoned and/or in ruins.

• Armenian Catholic Church- there are several Armenian Catholic churches in Istanbul, including a large cemetery.
• Armenian Evangelical Church- The Armenian Protestants have three churches in Istanbul from the 19th century.

Churches of the Syriac rite

Saffron Monastery, Patriarchal Vicarate of Mardin near Mardin, Turkey

The Syriac Christian population probably has the most regional influence in Turkey, as its population wasn't confined to or was centered in Istanbul like the rest of the Christian communities of Turkey were. Active churches are located in Istanbul, Diyarbakir, Adiyaman, and Elazig. There are many both active and inactive churches in the traditionally Neo-Aramaic area of Tur Abdin, which is a region centered in the western area of(Mardin province, and has areas that go into Sirnak, and Batman Province. Up until the 1980s the Syriac population was concentrated there as well, but a large amount of the population has fled the region to Istanbul or abroad due to the Turkey-PKK conflict. The Church structure is still organized however, with 12 reverends stationed in churches and monasteries there. Churches were also in several other provinces as well, but in the Assyrian Genocide the churches in those provinces were destroyed or left ruined.

Churches of the Syriac rite include-

• Syriac Orthodox Church
• Syriac Catholic Church

Churches of the Assyrian Rite

Main article: [[:Chaldean Catholic Archeparchy of Amida]]

The Nestorian(Assyrian Church of the East) church in Turkey was completely wiped out in the Assyrian Genocide, although they were originally centered in Hakkari. The Chaldean Branch is based primarily in Istanbul, although its church structure is centered in Diyarbakir.

Churches of the Assyrian rite include-

• Assyrian Church of the East
• Chaldean Catholic Church

Churches of the Latin rite

Main article: Roman Catholicism in Turkey

• Vicariate Apostolic of Istanbul
  • Cathedral: Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Istanbul
  • Basilica: St. Anthony of Padua Church in Istanbul, Istanbul
• Vicariate Apostolic of Anatolia
  • Cathedral: Cathedral of the Annunciation, İskenderun, İskenderun
  • Co-cathedral: Co-Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua, Mersin, Mersin
• Archdiocese of Izmir
  • Cathedral: St. John's Cathedral, Izmir, Izmir
• Archeparchy of Istanbul (Armenian)
• Archeparchy of Diyarbakir (Chaldaean)
• Vicariate Apostolic of Istanbul (Byzantine)
• Church of St Peter of Antakya
  • Church: Church of St Peter

Anglican Church

The Anglicans in Turkey form part of the Eastern Archdeaconry of the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe. In 2008 the Bishop of Europe, Geoffrey Rowell, caused controversy by ordaining a local man to minister to Turkish-speaking Anglicans in Istanbul.

The main churches are at Ankara (St Nicholas), Istanbul (Christ Church) and Izmir (St John the Evangelist).

Other denominations

Main article: Protestantism in Turkey

The Armenian Protestants own three Istanbul churches from the 19th century. There is an Alliance of Protestant Churches in Turkey.

There are churches for foreigners in compounds and resorts, although they are not counted in lists of churches as they are only used by Tourists and Expats.

Christian houses of worship

  (This list is not finished)

Churches of the Byzantine rite

Church name	Picture	Status
Saint Andrew in Krisei		converted into a mosque
Chora Church		converted into a mosque, museum
Church of Christ Pantokrator (Constantinople)		converted into a mosque
Church of Christ Pantepoptes (Constantinople)		converted into a mosque
Palace of Antiochos		ruins
Church of the Virgin of the Pharos		ruins
Monastery of Gastria		converted into a mosque
Church of St. George, Istanbul		active
Hagia Irene		museum
Hagia Sophia		converted into a mosque, museum
Church of the Holy Apostles		demolished, Fatih Mosque build on top
Church of Saint John the Baptist at Lips (Constantinople)		converted into a mosque
Monastery of Stoudios		ruins
Church of Saint John the Baptist en to Trullo (Constantinople)		converted into a mosque
Church of St. Mary of Blachernae (Istanbul)		active
Church of St. Mary of the Mongols		active
Myrelaion		converted into a mosque
Church of Saint Nicholas of the Caffariotes (Istanbul)		converted into a mosque
Pammakaristos Church		converted into a mosque
Church of Sergius and Bacchus		converted into a mosque
Bulgarian St. Stephen Church		active
St. Demetrius Church in Feriköy, Istanbul		active
Church of Hagia Thekla tu Palatiu ton Blakhernon		converted into a mosque
Church of Hagios Theodoros (Constantinople)		converted into a mosque
Church of Hagias Theodosias en tois Dexiokratus		converted into a mosque
Church of the Theotokos Kyriotissa (Constantinople)		converted into a mosque
Kuştul Monastery		ruins
Sümela Monastery		museum
House of the Virgin Mary		museum
Meryem Ana Church		active
Church of St Nicholas of Myra(Santa Claus) (Demre)		ruins,museum

Churches of the Georgian rite

Locations of some of the Georgian churches.

Church name	Picture	Status
tr		active
Oshki (Öşk Vank/Çamlıyamaç)		abandoned
Khakhuli Monastery (Haho/Bağbaşi)		converted into a mosque
Doliskana (Dolişhane/Hamamlıköy)		abandoned
Bana cathedral (Penek)		ruins
Tbeti Monastery (Cevizli)	150px	ruins
old Georgian Church, Ani		ruins
Ishkhani (İşhan)		protected
Parkhali (Barhal/Altıparmak)		converted into a mosque
Khandzta		ruins
Ekeki		ruins
Otkhta Eklesia ((Dörtkilise))		abandoned
Parekhi		ruins
tr წმ. ბარლაამის მონასტერი კასიუსის მთაზე		ruins
Ancha monastery		ruins

Churches of the Armenian rite

Church name	Picture	Status
Church of the Apparition of the Holy Cross (Kuruçeşme, Istanbul) Yerevman Surp Haç Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Archangels Armenian Church (Balat, Istanbul) Surp Hıreşdagabed Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Cross Armenian Church (Kartal, Istanbul) Surp Nişan Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Cross Armenian Church (Üskudar, Istanbul) Surp Haç Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Hripsimiants Virgins Armenian Church (Büyükdere, Istanbul) Surp Hripsimyants Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Mother-of-God Armenian Apostolic Church (Bakırköy, Istanbul) Surp Asdvadzadzin Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Mother-of-God Armenian Church (Beşiktaş, Istanbul) Surp Asdvadzadzin Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Mother-of-God Armenian Church (Eyüp, Istanbul) Surp Asdvadzadzin Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Mother-of-God Armenian Church (Ortaköy, Istanbul) Surp Asdvadzadzin Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Mother-of-God Armenian Church (Yeniköy, Istanbul) Surp Asdvadzadzin Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Resurrection Armenian Church (Kumkapı, Istanbul) Surp Harutyun Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Resurrection Armenian Church (Taksim, Istanbul) Surp Harutyun Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Three Youths Armenian Church (Boyacıköy, Istanbul) Surp Yerits Mangants Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Trinity Armenian Church (Galatasaray, Istanbul) Surp Yerrortutyun Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Narlıkapı Armenian Apostolic Church (Narlıkapı, Istanbul) Surp Hovhannes Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Elijah The Prophet Armenian Church (Eyüp, Istanbul) Surp Yeğya Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Garabed Armenian Church (Üsküdar, Istanbul) Surp Garabet Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. John the Baptist Armenian Church (Uskudar)		unknown
St. John The Evangelist Armenian Church (Gedikpaşa, Istanbul) Surp Hovhannes Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. George (Sourp Kevork) Armenian Church (Samatya, Istanbul)		unknown
St. Gregory The Enlightener Armenian Church (Galata, Istanbul)		active
St. Gregory The Enlightener Armenian Church (Kuzguncuk, Istanbul) Surp Krikor Lusaroviç Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Gregory The Enlightener Armenian Church (Karaköy, Istanbul) Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Gregory The Enlightener (Kınalıada, Istanbul)Armenial Church Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Ermeni Kilisesi		active
[[St. James Armenian Church (Altımermer, Istanbul)]] Surp Hagop Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Nicholas Armenian Church (Beykoz, Istanbul) Surp Nigoğayos Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Nicholas Armenian Church (Topkapı, Istanbul) Surp Nigoğayos Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Santoukht Armenian Church (Rumelihisarı, Istanbul) Surp Santuht Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Saviour Armenian Chapel (Yedikule, Istanbul) Surp Pırgiç Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Sergius Armenian Chapel (Balıklı, Istanbul) Surp Sarkis Anıt Mezar Şapeli		active
St. Stephen Armenian Church (Karaköy, Istanbul) Surp Istepanos Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Stephen Armenian Church (Yeşilköy, Istanbul) Surp Istepanos Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Takavor Armenian Apostolic Church (Kadıkoy, Istanbul) Surp Takavor Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Saints Thaddeus and Barholomew Armenian Church (Yenikapı, Istanbul) Surp Tateos Partoğomeos Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Vartanants Armenian Church (Feriköy, Istanbul) Surp Vartanants Ermeni Kilisesi		active
The Twelve Holy Apostles Armenian Church (Kandilli, Istanbul) Surp Yergodasan Arakelots Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastea Armenian Church (Iskenderun, Hatay) Surp Karasun Manuk Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. George Armenian Church (Derik, Mardin) Surp Kevork Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Gregory The Enlightener Armenian Church (Kayseri) Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Ermeni Kilisesi		active
St. Gregory The Enligtener Armenian Church (Kırıkhan, Hatay) Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Kilisesi		active
St. Giragos Armenian Church (Diyarbakır) Surp Giragos Ermeni Kilisesi		active
Cathedral of Ani		ruins,protected
Cathedral of Kars		converted into a mosque
Cathedral of Mren		ruins
Holy Apostles Monastery		ruins,destroyed
Horomos		ruins
Karmravank (Vaspurakan)		ruins
Kaymaklı Monastery		ruins
Khtzkonk Monastery		ruins
Ktuts monastery		abandoned
Varagavank		ruins,protected
Narekavank		no trace, mosque build on top
Saint Bartholomew Monastery		ruins,protected
Saint Karapet Monastery		ruins,mostly destroyed
St. Marineh Church, Mush		ruins
St. Stepanos Church		ruins
Tekor Basilica		destroyed
Armenian church in Vakıflı Vakıflıköy Ermeni Kilisesi		active

Churches of the Syriac rite

Church name	Picture	Status
Mor Sharbel Syriac Orthodox church in Midyat		active
Mor Gabriel Monastery		active
Mor Hananyo Monastery		active

Roman Catholic Churches

Church name	Picture	Status
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Istanbul		active
St. Anthony of Padua Church in Istanbul		active
Cathedral of the Annunciation, İskenderun		active
Co-Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua, Mersin		active
St. John's Cathedral, Izmir		active
Church of St Peter		museum
Church of San Domenico (Constantinople)		converted into a mosque
Church of SS Peter and Paul, Istanbul		active

Anglican churches

Church name	Picture	Status
Christ Church, Istanbul		active
St. John the Evangelist's Anglican Church, Izmir		active

See also

• Freedom of religion in Turkey
• Karamanlides
• Orthodox Christianity in Turkey
• Religious minorities in Turkey

External links

• Arestakes Simavoryan, CHRISTIANS IN TODAY’S TURKEY (Protestants and Catholics