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The Patriarchal Complex of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is located in the Fener neighborhood of Istanbul. It sits behind a large stone wall with an entrance guarded by a security booth.
Gate of Patriarch Gregory V
You might notice there are two gates in the walls of the complex, but only one of them functions today. The gate directly in front was welded shut after Patriarch Gregory V (1746-1821) was hung from it after celebrating liturgy on Easter Sunday in 1821.
The execution was ordered by Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II in response to the start of the Greek Revolution. His body was given to the city’s Jews to be dragged through the streets, which created further tension between the Jewish and Greek minorities. They eventually threw his body into the Golden Horn where it was recovered by Greek sailors and taken to Odessa. Gregory V is interred at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens.
Pavilion of the Holy Myron
Once through the gates, visitors find themselves in the Pavilion of the Holy Myron. The holy myron (myrrh or chrism) is prepared in boilers in this courtyard during Holy Week and distributed to churches around the world for use in the sacraments of baptism and chrismation. On the opposite side of the courtyard is the Church of St. George and to the right is the New Patriarchal House (see below).
New Patriarchal House
On the west side of the complex is the New Patriarchal House. It contains the offices of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a private chapel, living quarters for clergy, a dining hall, official chambers, and the conference room of the Holy Synod.
The original offices of the Ecumenical Patriarchate were destroyed by fire in 1941. They were rebuilt a few decades later as the New Patriarchal House by Patriarch Demetrios I (1914-1991).
Inside the main entrance, there’s a grand staircase as well as three mosaic panels. First, at the landing of the staircase is a mosaic of Christ enthroned, blessing all who enter the building.
On the wall to the left is a mosaic featuring Mehmed the Conqueror and Patriarch Gennadios II (c. 1400-c. 1473). It was placed there to remind the modern Turkish government of the historic cooperation, although turbulent at times, between the Ottoman government and Orthodox Church. I won’t get into the complicated politics of modern Turkey, but they see the Patriarch as merely a local priest in charge of the dwindling Greek Orthodox minority in the country.
The third mosaic panel depicts St. Andrew the Apostle, the founder of the See of Byzantium. He’s passing a bible to St. Stachys the Apostle, who was the second bishop of Byzantium from 38 AD to 54 AD.
Constantiniana and Evgenidion
Two buildings sit next to the New Patriarchal House on the north side of the Patriarchal Complex. The Constantiniana, on the left, contains rooms for clergy. It was constructed by Patriarch Constantine V (1833-1914) in the 19th century. To the right is the Evgenidion, which was built by Patriarch Joachim III (1834-1912) as a residence. It was restored at the turn of the 20th century with funds from benefactor Efstathios Evgenidis and again in 2018.
Tower and Adjoining Edifices
Finally, on the south side of the Patriarchal Complex is the Tower and other adjoining edifices. The Tower was built in the 18th century and is used to store the holy myron. It also houses the archives and a museum. The wooden structure next to the Tower contains the Patriarchal Library offices and a dormitory. It was built by Patriarch Joachim III in the early 1880s. A stone house once featured a 17th century printing press until 1964, and now houses rare icons and manuscripts.
Audience with the Patriarch
I worked at the office for a short time and was able to see many of the rooms, including a private audience with Patriarch Bartholomew I. I’ve also been fortunate enough to meet with the Patriarch on several other occasions.
