Gazing upon Surp Krikor Lusavoric Church, do you sense the weight of centuries. This is Istanbul’s oldest Armenian Apostolic church. Its story is etched in stone and whispered through the Galata neighborhood.
The Surp Krikor Lusavoric Church was first built in the late 14th century. This was during the Genoese period. Imagine a time shortly before the Ottomans conquered Constantinople. An Armenian merchant from Crimea named Kozma bought this land in 1391. He sought protection under Genoese rule. The blacksmith Aved crafted the altar. He also built the Holy Cross chapel nearby.
However, fire has ravaged Surp Krikor Lusavoric Church multiple times. The Galata fire of 1660 spared it. But in 1731 and 1771, flames consumed almost everything. Each time, the church was reborn from the ashes. In 1733 Sargis Khalfa restored it. In 1799 architect Minas Khalfa added the Surb Karapet chapel.
Step inside Surp Krikor Lusavoric Church. Imagine the original interior. It was richly decorated with Kütahya and Dutch tiles. Also French Italian Chinese and Tunisian tiles adorned the space. Hovhannes Golod who died in 1741 has his crypt under the church.
European visitors once marveled at Surp Krikor Lusavoric Church. Antoine Galland came in 1672. Joseph Pitton de Tournefort visited in the early 1700s. William Holden Hutton wrote about it around 1900. He mentioned fine manuscripts and a sacred picture of Christ.
The state expropriated and demolished Surp Krikor Lusavoric Church in 1958. This happened during Istanbul’s large-scale reconstruction. Architect Bedros Zobyan designed a reconstruction plan in 1962. Financial difficulties slowed the work. But the church was reconsecrated in 1965. The official opening occurred in 1966.
The current Surp Krikor Lusavoric Church is smaller than the original. A basement was built. It houses the chapel the grave of Hovhannes Golod and a balcony for the choir. Renovations took place in 2005 and 2011.
Today Surp Krikor Lusavoric Church stands as a testament to resilience. It is a symbol of Armenian heritage in Istanbul. Its dome with a conical roof marks it as unique. It is Istanbul’s only church built in traditional Armenian style. Take a moment to appreciate this blend of history faith and architectural beauty.