Panayia Greek Orthodox Church

The first church was begun by Empress Aelia Pulcheria and completed during the reign of Leo I.
The structure was expanded during the reign of Justin I; it was revised again during the reign of Romanos III.
After the fire of 1070, it was rebuilt by Romanos IV; after the fire of 1434, it was not repaired for a long time.
The present church was built on the site that remained a “plot” until 1860; according to its interior inscription, it was opened for worship on 13 January 1860.
It was damaged during the events of 6–7 September; it was renewed by the Istanbul Regional Directorate of Foundations under the supervision of Architect Süreyya Yücel.

The church belongs to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Istanbul.
One of the names of the structure is Panayia Vlahernon; the church is located in the middle of a large garden/courtyard.
The feast of the holy spring begins on 2 July and lasts for one week; it has been stated that during these days Christian visitors from different districts come to the holy spring.
In front of the holy spring, there is a marble platform; there are two large marble basins and a four-spouted marble water reservoir dated 1932.
An icon of the Virgin Mary in the church is described as a Byzantine work; all parts except the faces and one hand are covered with silver.
According to the legend, after the appearance of the Virgin Mary during the Avar siege, the storm that broke out disrupted the siege; this narrative holds an important place in the cultural memory of the holy spring.