Kumkapı - Holy Mother of God or Surb Asdvadzadzin Church

MacKenzie-2

The Holy Mother of God Patriarchal Church, also known as the Surb Asdvadzadzin Patriarchal Church, is located in the Kumkapı quarter of the Fatih district in Istanbul, Turkey. Originally built as a Byzantine church, it became the largest church in Istanbul. In 1641, it was converted into the center church (cathedral) of the Istanbul Armenians Patriarchate. It burned down in 1645, but was rebuilt the same year by the efforts of Patriarch Tavit Areveltzi and the priest Divrikli Rahip Boğos.

In 1718, a fire burned down the church and the entire patriarchate. One year later, the church was rebuilt by the efforts of Jerusalem Patriarch Krikor Şığtayagir and Istanbul Patriarch Hovhannes Golod, along with the skilled architects Hacı Seğpos, Hacı Melidon Araboğlu, and Sarkis Kalfa. The building suffered damage again in a fire in 1762, but was quickly rebuilt by Patriarch Hagop Nalyan. Later, Patriarch Zakarya had a stone wall built around the church and a pool and fountain installed to prevent damage from future fires. In 1819, during the reign of Patriarch Boğos of Edirne, the church was repaired under the supervision of Harutyun Amira Bezciyan (Kazaz Artin).

In 1826, a fire burned down the church and the patriarchate completely. Harutyun Amira Bezciyan had the church rebuilt in stone according to the plans of architects Kirkor Amira Balyan and Garabet Devletyan, with a decree from Sultan II. Mahmud. The church was opened for worship in 1828. In 1834, the Bezciyan School was opened. A holy spring was also built in the basement of the Surp Harutyun chapel in honor of Surp Teotoros. Harutyun Amira Bezciyan was buried in the Surp Harutyun chapel, and later a bronze bust was placed next to his grave, made by the famous sculptor Erol Sarafyan.

10 paras 1878 (35mm x 52mm)
Obv. Thick line border which encloses an oval panel design in which there is a central oval containing the word 'paras' with 'ten' above, and the date 1878 below. On each side is a circular panel with the numeral '10' on the left and the same in Arabic on the right. The legend in Ottoman Turkish script at the top means "for Armenian Patriarchal Churches," and at the bottom below the date is the name of the church "Mayr Yekegheci".
Rev. Rubber stamp impression with four looped sides.
British Museum (CIB.52918)

20 paras 1878
Obv. same as before
Rev. same as before
eBay item #331240184372