First religious ceremony in Greek church in 93 years

The Greek church Agios Konstantinos in İzmir's Menemen district hosted its first religious ceremony in 93 years on Sunday. Menemen Municipality Mayor Tahir Şahin and Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I cut the opening ribbon of the church together. Located in the neighborhood of Mermerli in Menemen, the church was renovated by the Menemen Municipality and opened its doors once again with a ceremony overseen by the consul general of Greece in İzmir, Theodore Tsakiris, representatives of state institutions and organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and members of the Orthodox society in İzmir and Istanbul. The church dates back to 19th century, and has been closed since 1922. Patriarch Bartholomew conducted the first ceremony in the church, praising Şahin as well as the people of Menemen who welcomed him with flowers and marching music played by Menemen Municipality Band.

Following the speeches, Şahin and Bartholomew presented plaques and thanked Barış Doğan, owner of the architecture firm YD Mimarlık, and Mahir Kaplan, owner of Umart Mimarlık, who restored the church.

After Şahin and Bartholomew cut the ribbon, they freed doves as a symbol of peace, and planted an olive tree in memory of the day.

The patriarch was also in İzmir's Selçuk district on Friday, along with priests and the faithful from Greece and Russia, to preside over religious services at the Meryem Ana Church, a historic Byzantine structure in Ephesus, where he was extolled religious freedoms in Turkey.