While the Greek population of Istanbul has largely migrated away, the spiritual leader of the world’s some 300 million Greek Orthodox, Bartholomew I—dubbed the Greek Orthodox Pope—continues to hold services in the Patriarchal Church of St. George. The church is also a popular pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians from Greece and Eastern Europe. Admission is free, and the site is a popular stop on many full-day guided tours of Istanbul.
The church is named after Saint George, a Christian martyr beheaded in the 4th century by the Roman emperor Diocletian when he refused to renounce his beliefs. Watch for paintings and icons depicting him, usually showing George slaying a dragon.
Inside the church, you’ll find a remnant of what people believe to be a remnant of the Pillar of the Flagellation—where Jesus is thought to have been scourged. Two other pieces of the pillar are preserved in Rome and Jerusalem.
The relics of three women saints are preserved inside the Patriarchal Church of St. George, including Saint Solomone, Saint Theophano, and Saint Euphemia.
Expect to undergo a strict security screening before entering the premises. While there is no charge to enter the church, donations are always appreciated.
The Patriarchal Church of St. George is in Fener, part of the Fatih district in Istanbul—one of the oldest sections of historic Constantinople. Visitors coming from Sultanahmet can take the 99, 99A, or 99Y bus lines. To cut down on your walking time, take Tram 1 and then transfer, or walk the whole way in an hour from Sultanahmet. Otherwise, it’s reachable by taxi in about 20 minutes.
The Patriarchal Church of St. George is open to tourists and worshippers daily from 8am–4pm. One Sunday a month when the Patriarch is in residence, the church closes for services from 9:15am–12:20pm, so check the schedule in advance when planning a visit.
While the Greek community in Turkey only numbers a couple of thousand people today, Greeks have been instrumental to the Turkish capital’s history since Byzantine times. Pera, meaning the “other side” in Greek, was one of the original neighborhoods within Constantinople. Now one of the city’s most bustling areas (containing the famous pedestrian street of Istiklal), it’s renowned for its neo-classical and art nouveau architecture and vibrant street life.
