This small building (a former convent) with a plain exterior seems at odds with the historical and religious importance of the Patriarchate and its rare and precious artefacts. Due to the dimness, restricted access, and lack of information panels, it is difficult to fully appreciate the interior and icons (hence only three stars). There are lots of cafes, restaurants, and shops in the nearby streets. Since the split of the Christian church in 1054, the Ecumenical Patriarch has been the spiritual leader of the world’s Greek Orthodox Christians, deriving legitimacy from St Andrew who is said to have founded the bishopric of Byzantium (the equivalent of the Roman papacy tracing its origins to St Peter as the first bishop of Rome). Immediately prior to the Ottoman conquest, the patriarchate was housed in a palace adjacent to the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom (now the Hagia Sophia). The Patriarchate moved to its current location (its fifth home) in 1600. In the narthex (porch), there are two lovely candle tables and, on either side of the doors to the central aisle (only open during church services), there are icons depicting a mounted St. George slaying the dragon and the prophet Elijah (shown wearing fur clothing to honour the furrier merchants who brought the water system to the local area). Above the door to the north (left) aisle is a gilded icon of the Virgin and Child. In the nave, you can peek over the tops of the walnut cantor stalls to see the tiered gilded iconostasis, Patriarchal throne, pulpit, and two walnut and ivory inlaid cantor stands, but you can’t see any of the detail. There is no access to the altar. The small icons in the upper tiers of the iconostasis show the apostles, 12 major Christian feast days, and scenes from the bible, but the panels in the centre are barely visible. The larger icons to the right of the royal doors depict Christ enthroned as the Great High Priest and St John the Baptist. Those to the left show the Virgin as the “Tree of Jesse” (illustrating Christ’s ancestry), and scenes of the life and martyrdom of St. George. In the northern aisle, you can see a 12th century icon of the Virgin with Child (which is entirely covered in gold and silver except for the faded faces and hands); the stairs up to the pulpit; and three icons in front of marble reliquaries containing the relics of St Basil the Great (known for his work with the poor and underprivileged in Cappadocia); St John Chrysostom (famous for his sermons); and St Gregory, whose joint feast day is commemorated on January 30. The relics of the latter two saints were looted by the Fourth Crusaders and stayed in Rome until they were returned by Pope John Paul II in 2004. In the south aisle, there are three large caskets with the relics of three early female saints – St Euphemia (martyred by the Romans because she refused to attend a pagan festival); Empress Theophano (known for her renunciation of earthly riches and life of devotion); and St Solomone or possibly Mary Salome (one of the three women who stood at the foot of the crucified Christ and who discovered that the stone had been rolled way from his tomb). You can also see a fragile looking mid-11th century panel depicting the Virgin and Child and, at the front corner, a section of the wooden pillar where Christ is said to have been chained and flogged before his Crucifixion (brought from the Holy Land by St. Helen, the mother of the emperor Constantine).

So wonderful place. The place of our soul! Affordable for visitors for free. There are many Christian's reliques. It' s an honour to get touch with them.