Church of Jason (Church of Hagios Nikolaos)

Yason Church (Hagios Nikolaos Church) is a historically and architecturally significant Christian structure located within the boundaries of the Perşembe district of Ordu province, on Türkiye’s Black Sea coast. The church, exhibiting characteristics of late Ottoman architecture, is a representative example of the Greek Orthodox places of worship constructed in the region during the 19th century.

Yason Church (Author’s perspective)

History (Hagios Nikolaos Church)

Yason Church is also referred to in sources as Hagios Nikolaos Church and is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors. The construction date of the church is variously recorded in sources as 1868 or 1869. It is generally accepted that the building was commissioned by the Greek Orthodox community residing in the region at the time. Although it is rumored that a foundation inscription indicating the construction year (1868) once existed beneath the church’s roof, this inscription has not survived to the present day. There is no definitive information regarding the patron or the architects of the church.

The period during which the church was built coincides with the era of influence of the Islahat Fermanı, proclaimed on 18 February 1856 within the Ottoman Empire. This decree granted significant freedoms to non-Muslim subjects concerning the repair or reconstruction of places of worship, cemeteries, schools, and hospitals. This led to an increase in the number of Christian structures in Ordu and its surroundings. Furthermore, Article 11 of the 1876 Kanun-i Esasî, while affirming Islam as the official religion of the state, guaranteed the right to free worship for all recognized religious communities within the Ottoman Empire, provided that such practices did not contravene public order or general morality.

Following the population exchange between Türkiye and Greece, the Greek population in the region migrated away, causing Yason Church to lose its congregation. Over time, neglect led the structure to fall into a state of ruin. After decades of abandonment, the building was placed under protection in 2004 and underwent a comprehensive restoration, returning it to its original form and opening it to visitors. This restoration played a crucial role in preserving the church’s architectural values for the present day.

Architectural Features

Yason Church is a domed basilica-type structure that reflects the characteristic features of late Ottoman Christian religious architecture.

Plan and General Structure

The church has a rectangular main mass oriented along an east-west axis. Its external dimensions are approximately 7.30 x 14.20 meters. The interior layout consists of three naves, with the central nave made both wider and taller than the side naves to emphasize its prominence. The side naves are narrower and lower than the central nave. The naos, the main worship space of the church, is situated slightly below the surrounding ground level and is accessed via a few steps from the entrances on the west and south facades.

Yason Church (Author’s perspective)

Entrances

The church has two entrances. The main entrance is centrally located on the west facade and features a rectangular opening with a lintel (flat arch stone). A secondary entrance is situated on the south facade and is of more modest dimensions compared to the main entrance.

Facades

West Facade

The west facade, which houses the main entrance, stands out through its decorative details. The entrance is surrounded on three sides by a decorative band composed of a series of semi-circular tooth-like reliefs. Immediately above the lintel and this decorative band is a rectangular panel containing a hollow octagonal frame at its center. On either side of this frame are sculpted fish figures (believed to represent dolphins), executed in relief. At the tails of these fish figures are transverse rectangular cartouches with rounded short sides and eight-pointed star motifs. Above these decorations, a stepped frame composed of concave and convex moldings encircles the entrance. Above this, a geometric panel is formed by the crossing of finely cut stones, creating triangular and rhomboid motifs; the use of colored stone work is also noticeable in this section. At the upper part of the facade, directly beneath the center of the broken roof, an oval window is located under a stone band decorated with a row of drip motifs. A rectangular stone block, once thought to have borne the church’s foundation inscription, is positioned between the drip motif and the oval window, though it is now empty. The oval window is framed within a square frame with sword motifs placed at each corner and is fitted with stained glass; the glass features a botanical motif rendered in brown, blue, and green colors on a white background.

South Facade

This facade contains three rectangular, linteled windows and one doorway. The windows, constructed in the mazgal style (narrowing outward), have semicircular arches above them and were renewed during restoration. Vertical plaster elements (false columns) run along the length of the facade. The secondary entrance is located immediately beside one of these plaster elements; this entrance, smaller than the main one, is also rectangular and linteled. Above the lintel of this entrance, a Latin cross motif is carved in relief, though its lower portion is damaged.

North Facade

The north facade mirrors the general arrangement of the south facade but lacks a doorway. It features three windows and vertical plaster elements extending along its length. The windows are similar in form and dimensions to those on the south facade.

East Facade

At the eastern end of the church, three apses are situated: one semicircular on the interior and polygonal on the exterior. The central apse is larger than the side apses and has a five-sided exterior plan. The smaller side apses are designed with three sides each. The southern side apse is observed to be slightly wider than the northern one. Each apse contains a single window opening. The window in the central apse is rectangular, mazgal-shaped, and terminates in a lintel and semicircular arch; it is flanked on either side by pilaster-like elements continuing from consoles. The windows in the side apses are smaller, rectangular mazgal windows. During restoration, the southern pilaster of the central apse and the window frames of the side apses were entirely renewed. All three apses are encircled by moldings beneath their eaves. Above the apses, on the wall section terminating in the triangular pediment of the roof, three additional windows are visible: the central one facing the nave is elliptical like the west facade window, while the windows above the side apses are shaped like drip motifs (flattened ovals on the sides). These windows are also stained glass and feature a floral motif on each.

Roof and Dome

A dome, resting on a circular drum, covers the naos space. This dome was completely reconstructed during the 2004 restoration. Notably, the drum lacks any window openings, a distinctive feature. Photographs taken in the 1970s, before the dome collapsed, also show no windows on the drum, suggesting this may have been part of the original design. The remaining parts of the church, outside the dome, are covered with a broken roof constructed of stone cladding. A cornice composed of concave and flat moldings runs along the entire perimeter of the building just below the roofline.

Yason Church (Author’s perspective)

Interior Space

The interior space of the church is divided into three naves by three pairs of monolithic stone columns arranged in two rows and two massive piers located at the eastern end. The central nave is wider than the side naves. The naos is covered by the dome, while the side naves are covered by barrel vaults extending along the east-west axis. Metal tension rods placed between the columns and pilasters were renewed after restoration. The columns, resting on square bases, are connected at the top by semicircular arches. The column capitals are cushion-shaped (pulvino style), simple in appearance, devoid of moldings, and contain no figural decoration.

On the eastern wall of the central apse, two niches (wall recesses) with semicircular arches and differing dimensions are located. In the north wall of the northern side apse, a niche with a triangular arch is found. The rectangular windows on the walls open inward into the interior space, expanding into semicircular arches. The bema area (sanctuary) in front of the apses is elevated by two steps above the naos floor. Beyond the piers separating the central apse from the side apses, arched openings provide access to the side apses.

Materials and Construction Technique

The primary building materials used in the construction of the church are finely cut stone and roughly hewn stone. The walls were built using a rubble infill technique, with mortar placed between the stones. Some stones on the exterior walls, bearing inscriptions, are believed to be spolia—reused gravestones taken from nearby ancient cemeteries, with visible personal names.

Decorative Elements

No wall paintings or decorative elements executed in mosaic or fresco (painting on wet plaster) have been found within the interior of the church. Decoration is concentrated primarily on the exterior architectural elements, especially the entrances and windows. The central octagonal form on the lintel of the main west entrance, the dolphin-like fish figures on either side, and the eight-pointed star motifs carry symbolic meanings: in Christian iconography, the dolphin symbolizes resurrection, and the eight-pointed star represents rebirth or renewal. The Latin cross relief above the secondary entrance on the south facade is also a religious symbol. The stained glass windows, particularly those on the west and east facades, are adorned with rosette flowers, stylized lotus-like botanical motifs, and geometric curves. The elongated, pointed oval shape of the windows above the side naves on the east facade and the relief pilasters on the sides of the central apse window are also considered decorative features of the building.

Annexes (Additions)

Adjacent to the southeast corner of Yason Church, a structure believed to have belonged to the church complex remains. This structure is thought to have been a small, square-plan building constructed in the 19th century using rubble stone masonry and likely served as a priest’s house (loşman). Before restoration, only parts of its four walls remained standing. During subsequent restoration efforts, new walls were reconstructed on the existing foundations to match the original form, thereby preserving this annex alongside the main church. Some sources suggest this structure may have been part of a monastery. Immediately beside the presumed priest’s house is a water well.

Restoration Works

After falling into ruin over time, Yason Church underwent its first comprehensive restoration in 2004. Through this restoration, the church was largely renewed, particularly with the complete reconstruction of the dome, and was opened to cultural tourism. During this restoration, it was noted that the lintel of the main entrance, along with its figures and motifs, may have been repositioned, casting doubt on their originality. Certain architectural elements, such as window arches and frames, were also repaired or replaced during this process.

In subsequent years, restoration efforts were initiated for the annex structure, believed to have been the priest’s house.

Under the project titled “Restoration of the Yason Church Annex and Surrounding Walls,” the ruined walls of the annex were entirely demolished to expose the foundation, and new walls were reconstructed on the existing foundation to match the original design, ensuring the preservation of this annex together with the main church. These efforts represent significant steps in safeguarding the historical fabric of the church and its immediate surroundings.

Architectural Comparison with Other Churches

When evaluated within the context of the 19th century, Yason Church exhibits notable similarities in plan, architectural arrangement, and style to other Greek Orthodox churches common in the Central and Eastern Black Sea region. Like many churches of this period, Yason Church follows a three-naved basilica plan. Entrance openings are typically rectangular and linteled, while windows are constructed in the mazgal style (narrowing inward). The upper roofing systems are generally formed internally by vaults and externally by broken roofs. The division of the interior naves is typically achieved through columns or piers arranged in two rows.

The domed basilica style adopted by Yason Church is also found in other contemporary churches in the region. In this context, structures such as the Mesudiye Church in Ordu, the Asarağaç Köyü Church in Samsun, the Gavalak Church in the Krom Valley of Gümüşhane, the Çakırkaya Monastery Church in Şiran, the Kamışlı Church in Alucra, Giresun, and the Menas Church in Maçka, Trabzon, can be cited as examples demonstrating architectural parallels with Yason Church.

However, Yason Church also draws attention through certain unique architectural details. Particularly, the decorative elements above the main entrance on the west facade exhibit more refined craftsmanship and richer symbolic figures compared to those on other churches of the period. The use of stained glass in the windows is another distinguishing feature of Yason Church. Additionally, the oval-shaped windows above the side naves on the east facade, with pointed sides, represent a decorative practice also observed in some churches from other regions, such as the Church of the Three Saints in Endürlük Village, Kayseri.

Yason Church (Author’s perspective)

Yason Church (Hagios Nikolaos Church) is one of the significant examples of 19th-century Ottoman Christian religious architecture in the Black Sea region. Its dedication to Saint Nicholas, the protector of sailors, provides insights into the local beliefs and cultural context of the time of its construction. While it shares similarities with contemporary Greek Orthodox churches in terms of its domed basilica plan, facade arrangements, interior layout, and decorative elements, it also stands out through certain original details, particularly the west facade entrance and the use of stained glass.

Thanks to its restorations, Yason Church has survived to the present day with its architectural integrity largely preserved, making it a valuable structure for both architectural history research and the conservation of cultural heritage. The preservation of the church and its annex for future generations contributes to a deeper understanding of the region’s layered historical and cultural fabric.