Changes After Construction
It was referred to in 1641 as the patriarchal central church (cathedral) of the Armenians of Istanbul.
It burned in the fire of 1645; in the same year, it was rebuilt during the patriarchate of Tavit Areveltzi.
In the fire of 1718, the church and the patriarchate were completely destroyed; they were rebuilt in 1719.
After the fire of 1762, it was rapidly renewed; later, measures against fire risk were implemented in the courtyard and surrounding area.
It was repaired in 1819.
In the fire of 1826, the church and the patriarchate burned again; in 1828, it was rebuilt in stone (masonry) and opened for worship.
It underwent a partial repair in 1847; in 1870, a stone bell tower was added to the west entrance; the tower was damaged in the 1999 Marmara earthquake and continued to be used after repair.
It is stated that the last major repair after 1902 was carried out in 1985.
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The church belongs to the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey.
The building is defined as the central church (cathedral) of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul.
In the rebuilding of 1828, the church was constructed in masonry.
The Bezciyan School was opened in 1834.
A holy spring dedicated to Surp Teotoros was made in the basement of the Surp Harutyun chapel.
It is recorded that from the late 17th century onward, and during the 18th and 19th centuries, a printing house was established in the church courtyard and important publications were produced there.
The church is associated with the patriarchal complex located on Şarapnel Street (Sevgi Street) in Kumkapı.
