Aya Yorgi Greek Orthodox Church
Changes After Construction:
- It is recorded that the monastery was damaged in a fire that broke out in 1882; the fire destroyed the wooden iconostasis, icons, and liturgical furnishings.
- It is stated that most of the icons seen in the church today are modern Russian works; the icon of outstanding historical value is stated to be located in the narthex.
Prominent Features:
- The church belongs to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Istanbul.
- The structure is also known as “Hagios Georgios tou Kremnou” (“on the cliff / on the cliff facing the sea”); it is described as a pink-colored complex located on a sea-facing cliff on the southern slope of Heybeliada.
- In a travel record dated 1739, it was noted that Greeks coming from Istanbul took refuge in this monastery during the plague outbreak.
- It is recorded that Bishop Ioannikos, who retired after his term of office in 1761–1763, came to the monastery; according to the inscription on the wall, he had a katholikon built here (in memory of his father) and also founded a school.
- It is stated that the monastery was mentioned in the diary of Priest John Covel, who visited the island in 1677.
