Beykoz Surp Nigoğayos Church, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary, reopened following a year-long restoration. There was considerable interest in the reopening.
The odzum (blessing) service held on Friday, August 7, under the leadership of Sahak Maşalyan, Patriarch of the Armenians of Turkey, was attended by Archbishop Aram Ateşyan and clergy, Beykoz District Governor Dr. Fatih Ürkmezer, foundation administrators, and members of the public. The service began at the church entrance with the “Tırınpatsek” (Opening of the Door) ceremony. The guests then entered the renovated church.
Following the prayers for the reopening of the church for worship, Patriarch Maşalyan spoke about the repair and decoration works that had been ongoing at the church for a long time and had now been successfully completed. Patriarch Maşalyan congratulated the church’s clergyman, Father Melkon Pınarcıyan, and the foundation’s board of directors, headed by Varujan Mağakyan. A cocktail reception was held in the garden following the ceremony at the church. Plaques prepared by the Foundation’s Board of Directors were presented by Patriarch Maşalyan to Civil Engineer Nazaret Binatlı, Project Coordinator Engineer Erol Yümlü, benefactor Janet Şirinoğlu, mother-of-pearl craftsman and restorer Erhan Tanıyıldız, Emin Ali Koyuncu, and benefactor Jilber Cincioğlu. The first Badarak service held on Sunday, August 9, was also officiated by Patriarch Maşalyan. During the service, attended by Father Nareg Değirmenciyan and Father Melkon Pınarcıyan, hymns were performed by the Vartanants Choir under the direction of Conductor Sibil Arsenyan. During the service, the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey presented a certificate of appreciation to Varujan Mağakyan, who has served as president of the church foundation for 48 years.
