By Nikos Chiladakis
Kuzguncuk is a suburb of Istanbul on the Asian side, which before 1956 had a number of Romaioi residents.
The most impressive event of the area was the great festival of Saint Panteleimon that took place every summer on July 26, the day before the Saint's feast day. The amazing thing about this festival was that thousands of Turks came to honor and venerate the Saint. But even today this temple gathers many Turkish Muslim pilgrims, usually with some health problems who ask the Saint for the grace of healing.
According to an impressive survey by the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet with the title, "Hangi kiliseye hangi umutla gidiyolar", that is, "To Which Church Do They Go With Some Hope", a place of pilgrimage for the Turks is the Church of Saint Panteleimon in Kuzguncuk.
This church attracts many Turkish pilgrims during the festival of Saint Panteleimon held in July, while the former Chief of the General Staff of Turkey, General İlker Başbuğ, confided that when he was young he went to the festival of Saint Panteleimon to celebrate with so many Romaioi.
This church attracts many Turkish pilgrims during the festival of Saint Panteleimon held in July, while the former Chief of the General Staff of Turkey, General İlker Başbuğ, confided that when he was young he went to the festival of Saint Panteleimon to celebrate with so many Romaioi.
Those who have problems with their eyes also go to the Church of Saint Paraskevi, in the Beşiktaş area, on Çırağan Caddesi, as this Saint is known to be the protector of the eyes. To the Church of Saint Kyriaki in Arnavutköy, many Turks also go to pray, while to the Church of Saint Parakevi in Arnavutköy, a group pilgrimage is made for the treatment of diseases, mainly of the eyesight.
The Church of Saint Therapon in Sirkeci is also a place of pilgrimage for the Turks, where Turks suffering from various diseases go to pray to find their healing from the Saint.
Perhaps behind the intense Islamic profile of modern Turkey, Orthodox Romiosini lives in the hearts of thousands of Turks who resort to the churches of the Romaioi and pray to and find rest in the Greek Orthodox Saints!
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
The Church of Saint Therapon in Sirkeci is also a place of pilgrimage for the Turks, where Turks suffering from various diseases go to pray to find their healing from the Saint.
Perhaps behind the intense Islamic profile of modern Turkey, Orthodox Romiosini lives in the hearts of thousands of Turks who resort to the churches of the Romaioi and pray to and find rest in the Greek Orthodox Saints!
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
