Did you hear about the princess who became a church founder? This is the story of the Church of St. Mary of the Mongols. It stands as a testament to faith and resilience in Istanbul. We are standing before a unique Byzantine church.
The Church of St. Mary of the Mongols is special. It is the only Byzantine church in Constantinople that never became a mosque. It has always remained open to the Greek Orthodox Church. Its history is as vibrant as its walls.
Let us journey back to the 7th century. Princess Sopatra and her friend Eustolia built a nunnery here. Sopatra was the daughter of Byzantine Emperor Maurikios. They dedicated the building to Saint Eustolia.
Centuries later after the Fourth Crusade, Isaac Doukas rebuilt a simple monastery in 1261. He dedicated it to the Theotokos Panaghiotissa.
Now, here is where our princess comes in. Maria Palaiologina returned to Constantinople in 1281. She was the illegitimate daughter of Emperor Michael VIII. Also she was the widow of Abaqa Khan of the Mongolian Ilkhanate. Maria rebuilt the nunnery and church. She became known as the Ktētorissa or foundress. Since then, it has been called the Church of St. Mary of the Mongols.
The church even has a Turkish name Kanlı Kilise. This means Bloody Church. On May 29 1453, the day of the Fall of Constantinople, the area around the church saw desperate fighting.
Tradition says that Sultan Mehmed II gifted the church. He gave it to the mother of Christodoulos. Christodoulos was the Greek architect of the Fatih Mosque. Later Bayazid II confirmed this grant. This ensured the church remained a Greek community parish.
Over the centuries, there were attempts to turn it into a mosque. However, the church always survived. Fires damaged it several times. But it was always repaired.
Look around. Notice the architecture. It has a tetraconch plan with a central dome. The dome is enclosed by a tower. This makes it unique in Byzantine architecture.
Inside, you will find a representation of the Last Judgement on the eastern wall. It might have been painted in 1266. Also noteworthy are a mosaic icon of the Theotokos. It is from the eleventh century. There are also four icons from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
Underneath the church, there are visible excavations. An underground passage is said to reach Hagia Sophia. Though the two buildings are kilometers apart.
The Church of St. Mary of the Mongols stands as a symbol. It embodies faith, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Greek Orthodox community in Istanbul. Its story is a reminder of the past. It also shows the power of perseverance.