Church of Mor Izozel

Mor Izozoel Church is a Syriac Orthodox church located at the highest point of Altıntaş (Keferze) Village in the Midyat district of Mardin Province. Due to its location and architectural features, it is one of the significant examples of late antique and medieval Christian religious architecture in the Tur Abdin region.

Mor Izozoel Church (General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums)

History

There are varying accounts regarding the construction date of Mor Izozoel Church. According to one tradition, the building was constructed in the early 6th century by Theodosius and Theodore, sons of Shufnayn, the architect of Mor Gabriel Monastery. This narrative links the church to the early Christian architecture of the region.

However, another view suggests that the church may have been built in the 8th century, during a period of cultural and religious flourishing in Tur Abdin. Consequently, there are differing assessments concerning its exact construction date, and scholarly literature generally dates it to between the 6th and 8th centuries.

Architectural Features

Mor Izozoel Church occupies the highest point of the village, granting it both visual dominance and symbolic significance. The most striking feature of the church is its bell tower, notable for its height and craftsmanship, and regarded as one of the finest examples of Midyat’s stone carving tradition.

The church reflects the typical floor plans found in monasteries and village churches of Tur Abdin. The structure is clearly divided into three main sections: the narthex (entrance area), the naos (main worship space), and the apse (sacred area oriented toward the east). Within the interior, liturgical elements such as the kduşkudşin (sanctum sanctorum) and the madıbho (altar) are discernible.

Decorations

The church is particularly distinguished by its stone craftsmanship, especially evident in the bell tower. The stone carvings on the tower represent advanced examples of the Midyat stone carving tradition. Additionally, cruciform motifs and religiously significant reliefs have been identified in the apse area.

Current Condition

Mor Izozoel Church has been included in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites since 2021, as part of the group of late antique and medieval churches and monasteries in Midyat and its surroundings (Tur Abdin). The structure remains standing, and conservation and monitoring efforts are ongoing under the framework of the Site Management Plan.