Aya Yorgi Kiparisa Greek Orthodox Church
Changes After Construction:
- In the fire of 1782, the church and the large cypress tree in its courtyard were burned.
- During the patriarchate of Constantios (1830–1834), the church was rebuilt and a new cypress tree was planted in the courtyard.
- The present building has changed to such an extent after fires and extensive renewals that it no longer closely resembles its early church layout.
Prominent Features:
- The church belongs to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Istanbul.
- The building is also known as “Aya Yorgi Kiparisa”; the name “Kiparisa/Kyparission” is associated with the cypress tradition in the courtyard.
- The building is evaluated within a historical church area associated with the Byzantine-period settlement of Psamatheia (present-day Samatya).
- The church is mentioned as a place where the family tomb associated with the Byzantine historian Michael Attaleiates is located.
- It is stated that a service is held in the church once a year by the Patriarch.
