Changes After Construction
After an earlier structure was destroyed in the fire of 1645, the church was rebuilt with the permission of Sultan Ibrahim I.
The inscription above the entrance pediment on the west façade shows that the building was rebuilt on December 20, 1830, after another fire.
A bell tower was added to the church courtyard after the construction of the building and after 1856.
Because of the ruptures experienced in the 20th century, the congregation became smaller; despite this, the church remained open for worship.
Featured Highlights
The church belongs to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Istanbul.
The building is also known by the names Hagioi Theodoroi and Aytodori.
The church is dedicated to Saint Theodoros; in the sources, this dedication is associated with Saint Theodoros of Edessa.
The building is situated within a large courtyard enclosed by high walls; within the courtyard there are a school and administrative/social units affiliated with the church.
In the courtyard there is the Agion Theodoron Holy Spring; the holy spring was commissioned as a vow offering by a benefactor.
The church is oriented east-west and has a three-aisled basilica plan; the central aisle is separated from the side aisles by rows of columns.
The capitals of the columns forming the aisles are of the Corinthian order, and the column shafts are painted green.
On the east there is a projecting semicircular apse; the gallery is reached by the stairs to the north of the narthex.
The wooden iconostasis is decorated with relief vegetal motifs; the ambo and the despot’s throne are arranged in a similar style.
