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Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarchate Review

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Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarchate

  • Address: Sadrazam Ali Pasa Cad., Fener, Istanbul
  • Phone: 212/531-9670
  • www.ec-patr.org

Fodor's Review:

The Greek Orthodox patriarchate, after being kicked out of Aya Sofya, wandered between several churches before settling here in the church of St. George in 1601. The church, rebuilt in 1720, is a relatively small, simple basilica, though the interior—where you'll find sarcophagi with remains of some famous Byzantine saints, a Byzantine-era patriarchal throne, and some mosaics—has a distinctly refined atmosphere. This small church is theoretically the center of the Orthodox world, though the Turks insist that it serves only the dwindling community of Istanbul Greeks. The main front gate is still welded shut after the Turks hung the patriarch Gregory V from it in 1821 as punishment for the Greek revolt.

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