Mor Efrem Syriac Ancient Orthodox Church

Mor Efrem Syriac Orthodox Church is a place of worship planned and realized in Istanbul to serve the Syriac Orthodox community during the Republic of Türkiye period, as the first Syriac church constructed in the country. The church was built within the historical and institutional continuity of the Syriac Orthodox Church to meet the spiritual and social needs of the community.

Mor Efrem Syriac Orthodox Church (Anadolu Ajansı)

Historical Background

The construction process of the Mor Efrem Syriac Orthodox Church emerged from the long-standing inability of the Syriac community in Türkiye to build a new church. After the proclamation of the Republic, the Syriac Orthodox community continued its worship primarily in existing and historical church buildings, and the construction of a new church was not on the agenda. This circumstance distinguishes the Mor Efrem Church historically.

Inauguration Ceremony of the Mor Efrem Syriac Orthodox Church (Anadolu Ajansı)

The proposal and realization of the church project became possible through official processes conducted between state institutions and the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate. The foundation stone was laid in 2019 during a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and this development was widely recognized in public opinion as the first construction of a Syriac church in the history of the Republic. This process also drew attention to the legal and administrative practices concerning places of worship for religious minorities in Türkiye. The church currently serves approximately 17,000 Syriacs in Istanbul.

In his speech at the foundation-laying ceremony, President Erdoğan highlighted that former Istanbul Metropolitan Mayors Kadir Topbaş and Mevlüt Uysal provided full support throughout the process, and that with the necessary steps taken by Vatican representatives, Syriac citizens were granted the opportunity to have their own church.^【1】

Photograph of the Mor Efrem Syriac Orthodox Church During Construction (Anadolu Ajansı)

Construction Process and Inauguration

The construction of the Mor Efrem Syriac Orthodox Church progressed in defined stages and was regularly reported to the public. News coverage included not only the architectural and technical aspects of the building but also its administrative and legal dimensions.

Following the completion of construction, the church was inaugurated on 8 October 2023 in a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and its first liturgy was held. The inaugural service was conducted with the participation of Syriac Orthodox spiritual leaders, and the building officially began fulfilling its religious function.

Representatives of other religious communities, alongside leaders and members of the Syriac community, attended the inauguration ceremony and liturgy held in Yeşilköy. Representatives of other congregations from within and outside Türkiye presented gifts to the church, including crosses, censers, and candlesticks.

At the inauguration ceremony, Sait Susin, President of the Istanbul Syriac Orthodox Foundation, responded to claims that the church had been built atop the Latin Catholic Cemetery:

"The church was not built on top of the cemetery but on its vacant area. Before construction began, a survey was conducted under the supervision of the Directorate of Museums, and no graves were found. Although the land ownership belongs to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, we did not undertake any action without the approval of our Catholic brothers. Previously, there was only one registered grave and a registered road on this site; now all graves have been officially documented. The chapel, which had previously served as a shelter for caretakers and had lost its roof, has been restored according to its original design. You can see it behind our church. This church has been allocated exclusively to our community for use as a place of worship."^【2】

Interior View of the Mor Efrem Syriac Orthodox Church (Anadolu Ajansı)

The church, constructed on a 700-square-meter portion of the area where the Latin Catholic Cemetery is located, features a bell tower inspired by monasteries in Mardin. Designed as a five-story building, one floor is allocated as a cultural hall for community gatherings, and for hosting rites such as baptisms, funerals, and weddings, as well as meetings and conferences. On the ground floor, where the main worship area is located, the metropolitan residence, guest rooms, and a parking lot are also situated. The interior ceiling height reaches approximately 10 meters, with marble used for walls and floors. Wooden elements adorning doors and frames have been crafted using traditional carving techniques.

Liturgical Ceremony at the Inauguration of the Mor Efrem Syriac Orthodox Church (Anadolu Ajansı)

Religious and Social Function

The Mor Efrem Syriac Orthodox Church serves to meet the worship needs of the Syriac Orthodox community in Istanbul. In addition to regular liturgies, the church functions as a center for conducting religious rites such as baptisms, marriages, and funerals. In this regard, the building contributes to the sustainability of the community’s institutional religious life. With its opening for worship, the Syriac Orthodox community, for the first time in the history of the Republic, gained the opportunity to worship in a newly constructed church dedicated to them.