Aya Andrea Russian Church

Aya Andrea Russian Church, which is located within the boundaries of Karaköy district of Istanbul and has a perfect location between Kemankeş Street and Hoca Tahsin Street, is actually a historical church open to worship where Sunday rituals take place although it resembles a passage at first glance.

Aya Andrea Russian Church, of which construction dates back to the 19th century and was built for the accommodation of Russian pilgrims, attracts a lot of attention especially with its dazzling chapel and other architectural details. The main reason why the church resembles an inn at first glance is its shape consisting of small rooms and a courtyard. You need to look upwards with all your attention in order to clearly see the chapel of the church, which was built in a structure with rooms next to each other so that the Russian pilgrims could stay at that time.

Contrary to what is expected, Aya Andrea Russian Church serving as affiliated to Fener Greek Patriarchate, not Russian Patriarchate was of course affiliated to Moscow Patriarchate at first. Russian pilgrims and clergies were also accommodated in the church, which was affiliated to the Moscow Patriarchate, the only patriarchate that was not under the rule of the Ottoman at that time, and then was affiliated to Fener Greek Patriarchate. Another reason for the construction of the church as an apartment-inn is that the land and housing prices in Karaköy were incredibly expensive at that time.

It should also be noted that Aya Andrea Russian Church adopted Pan-Slavism policy of Tsarist Russia when it was built and played a major role in increasing the effectiveness in the Orthodox and Balkans world.