Surp Yerrortutyun Armenian Catholic Church Explained

Surp Yerrortutyun Armenian Catholic Church
Fullname:Surp Yerrortutyun Kilisesi
Denomination:Catholic Church
Sui Iuris Church:Armenian Catholic Church
Completed Date:1836
Country:Turkey
Location:Beyoğlu, Istanbul

Surp Yerrortutyun Armenian Church, is an Armenian Catholic Church located in Beyoğlu Municipality, Istanbul, Turkey. The church was built at the very beginning of the 18th century by four Austrian priests. It burned in 1762 after the reconstruction, it was struck by fire again in 1831 and was rebuilt in 1836. The Church was purchased on May 25, 1857, by Armenian Catholics.[1]

The Turkish name of this temple is Surp Hovhan Vosgeperan Ermeni Katolik Kilisesi, because is it an Armenian church that belongs to the Catholic Church, as opposed to the majority of the Armenian churches in the world, that are part of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Vosgeperan means Golden Mouthed in Armenian. This church is dedicated to Saint John Chrysostom, He was Archbishop of Constantinople (the previous name of Istanbul), and he is considered an Early Church Father. He was a very notable preacher, famous for his eloquence and his many writings. (Hence the term Golden Mouthed).

This church is located a few steps away from Taksim Square and the famous pedestrian boulevard Istiklal Caddesi. If you are not looking for it, you may miss it, since it is located behind a tall wall in a narrow street. Both the outer wall and the walls of the church are pink.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Beyoğlu Surp Yerrortutyun Armenian Catholic Church Foundation. Hrant Dink Foundation. 22 December 2017.