St. Giragos Armenian Church

Coordinates: 37°54′39″N 40°14′20″E / 37.91083°N 40.23889°E / 37.91083; 40.23889
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Interior of the church in 2012, after restoration

The Church of St. Giragos (

Armenian Apostolic church in Diyarbakır, Turkey. It is the largest Armenian church in the Middle East.[4][5][6]: 214  The church was confiscated by the Turkish government in 2016.[5] The church was re-opened to the public on May 7, 2022, after renovations.[7]

History

Construction and reconstructions

The existence of the church dates as far back as 1515-1518.

architectural form was a deviation from traditional Armenian church architecture, but it resembled the format of the nearby Armenian Catholic Church in Diyarbakir and of other churches and mosques in the area.[2] The bell tower of the church was struck by lightning in 1913 and rebuilt that year. When finished, the new bell tower was the tallest structure in the city, which became a point of contention with the local Muslim community, as it was taller than the minarets of any local mosques.[1]

20th century

The church as seen in 2008, before restoration

During World War I, the church was used as a headquarters of the Imperial German Army.[8]: 179  In 1915, during the Armenian genocide, the Christian population of the city was massacred.[8]: 179 [9] During the violence, artillery fire destroyed the bell tower of the church.[8]: 179  After the war, the church was used as an army barracks, a warehouse, and as a textile factory by the state.[5][8]: 179  In 1960, it was returned to the care of the remaining local Armenian community, but it remained in a derelict state.[4][1] From 1915 to 2011, no official religious service was held in the church.[8]: 179  In the 1990s severe snowstorms caused the roof to collapse, leaving the interior open to the elements.[1][8]: 179 

Renovation and expropriation

In the 2000s, it was renovated in part as a sign of reconciliation by local leaders with the Christian community.

reconsecrated on this occasion by Armenian Archbishop Aram Ateşyan.[6]: 214  In 2013 the church was attracting hundreds of people per day; according to Gafur Turkay of the Surp Giragos Foundation, "Many of them are Islamised Armenians like me."[12]

The historic district where the church is located,

Turkish Constitutional Law, Expropriation Law, and European Convention on Human Rights".[15] The church was re-opened to the public on May 7, 2022, after renovations costing about 30 million Turkish Liras (around 2 million dollars at the time).[7]

Architecture

The church is the largest Armenian church in the Middle East.[4][5][6] It is estimated that it could contain around 3000 worshippers.[3][1] Its rectangular floor plan measures around 31 meters long and 35 meters wide.[1] Inside, the church has a hypostyle form with a flat roof supported by three rows of arches that divide the space into four transverse "naves".[2] In total, 20 arches are supported by 16 monolithic columns.[1] Further inside was a second floor that was used by women.[1][3] The church is unique in having seven altars: five on the ground floor along the eastern wall and two more on the second floor.[3][1] On the exterior, the church is fronted by an arched portico and a bell tower. The church is also adjoined by a Patriarchate building, residence, wells, and three courtyards which are all part of the compound.[3]

  • Exterior of the church: the north flank of the building is on the left and the frontal western façade, with a portico, begins on the right
  • Entrance façade and bell tower of the church
    Entrance façade and bell tower of the church
  • The bell tower of the church in 2014
    The bell tower of the church in 2014
  • One of the church entrances under the front portico of the building
  • Interior of the church, looking towards the altars
  • The middle altar of the church
  • Close-up of one of the other five altars on the ground floor
    Close-up of one of the other five altars on the ground floor
  • A tombstone inside the church (pictured in 2008 prior to restoration)
    A tombstone inside the church (pictured in 2008 prior to restoration)
  • An Armenian inscription plaque attached to one of the buildings in the church compound
    An Armenian inscription plaque attached to one of the buildings in the church compound

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "A Brief History of Largest Church in Middle East and Christianity in Diyarbakir". 25 November 2010.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-90-04-28022-9
    .
  3. ^ a b c d e Diyarbakir Metropolitan Municipality (2011). Diyarbakir Travel Guide. Boyut. p. 53.
  4. ^ a b c "Surp Giragos Ermeni Kilisesi" (in Turkish). Diyarbakır Valiliği Kültür Turizm Proje Birimi. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Why the Turkish government seized this Armenian church - Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East". www.al-monitor.com. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-1-5036-3165-6
    .
  7. ^ a b "Armenian church in Diyarbakır reopens after 7 years - Hurriyet Daily News". www.hurriyetdailynews.com. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  8. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7735-9719-8
    .
  9. ISBN 978-90-04-22518-3
    .
  10. ^ "Wooing Christians". The Economist. 2 December 2010.
  11. ^ Armenian Surp Giragos Church ready for Holy Mass, Ararat News & Publishing, 18 September 2011
  12. ^
    ISSN 0013-0613
    . Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  13. ^ Staff, Weekly (15 February 2016). "Breaking: Images Show Extent of Damage to Diyarbakir's Armenian Catholic Church". The Armenian Weekly. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  14. ^ Yeginsu, Ceylan (24 April 2016). "Turkey's Seizure of Churches and Land Alarms Armenians". The New York Times.
  15. ^ "Surreptitious expropriation in Sur", Uygar Gültekin, Agos, 31 March 2016
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37°54′39″N 40°14′20″E / 37.91083°N 40.23889°E / 37.91083; 40.23889

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