Surp Bogos Church

Located in the Büyükdere quarter of Sarıyer district in Istanbul, Turkey, a wooden church was built in 1847 on the property of the Ottoman Mint manager Boğos Amira Bilezikciyan after his death.^[1][2] The church was named "Surp Bogos" after the donor in allusion to Saint Paul in Armenian language. Upon his will, the church building was transferred to the Armenian Catholic Archeparchy of Constantinople. In 1859, as the small church could not meet the needs of thelocal Armenian community, the church foundation purchased the neighboring property, and started the construction of a new building.^[1] The Azaryan family made contributions to the church.^[2] In 1882, a masonry church building, a clergy house, a school builfing and four wooden houses were was built on the place of the demolished wooden church. The new church was consecrated in 1885.^[1]

The church is administered by Hayr Vartan Kazancıyan (abbot), Derayr Haygaram Çekiç, Der Hagop Minasyan (lead deacon), and Gisasargavak Jan Acemoğlu (deacon).^[3][4]