How about stepping back in time to when the \u0130lya Profiti Kilisesi first emerged? Its exact origins remain veiled in mystery. Yet, stories tell us it was rebuilt around 1804. It rose from the ruins, becoming three times larger than its predecessor.
Now, standing before you is the \u0130lya Profiti Kilisesi. It is not the initial structure. Sultan Mahmud II granted permission for its construction in 1831. A Rumca inscription above the entrance commemorates this event.
Take a moment to appreciate the architecture. The \u0130lya Profiti Kilisesi boasts a stone facade. A long vaulted dome stretches above it. Notice the bell tower crafted from cut stone adding to its grandeur.
Entering the courtyard, imagine a different scene. To your right there was a well with a windlass and a small single-story building. To the left, nestled against the retaining wall, were six tombs marked with crosses. A set of iron stairs led to the priest’s quarters above the retaining wall. Today, these rooms are abandoned with covered windows.
Consider the ayazma or holy spring within the courtyard of the \u0130lya Profiti Kilisesi. It underwent restoration in 1945. The water from Profitis \u0130lias Ayazmas\u0131 is known as the Great Ayazma. This holy water flows abundantly. It remains clear and cold throughout the year.
Inside the \u0130lya Profiti Kilisesi, a spacious area unfolds. It features five doors providing multiple entry points. On either side of the apse, you would find wing-like chambers extending outwards.
Around the \u0130lya Profiti Kilisesi, history whispers from family tombs. Look for the graves of Michael Stavrou who died in 1880 and his wife Fotini Stavrou who died in 1881. Also find Nikolaos Alexiadis and his wife Mariora. And Michael Tobako\u011flu and his wife Maria Tobako\u011flu are burried here as well. Michael died in 1882.
These tombs remind us of the community that once thrived around this sacred place.
Today, the \u0130lya Profiti Kilisesi stands as a testament to time. It has witnessed centuries of change. It is a place where faith, history, and architectural beauty converge.