Kumkapı - Bezciyan or Surp Harutyun Church

The Bezciyan Church, also known as the Surp Harutyun Armenian Church, is a historic church located in the Kumkapı neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. The church has a rich history, with the original structure dating back to the Byzantine era, although it was converted into an Armenian church in the 17th century.

Over the centuries, the church has faced numerous fires, including one in 1826 that destroyed the entire church and patriarchate. It was rebuilt using stone in 1828 by the efforts of Harutyun Amira Bezciyan, who also founded the Bezciyan School nearby. The church features beautiful architecture, including a dome and ornate frescoes.

The Bezciyan Church has been an important center of Armenian culture and worship in Istanbul for centuries and continues to hold regular religious services. The church and its school stand as a testament to the perseverance of the Armenian community in the face of adversity, and serve as an important reminder of Istanbul's rich cultural and religious history.