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Saint Paul's Church

Saint Paul's Church

Şehitkerim Mahallesi, 3407. Sk. No:9, 33440 Tarsus/Mersin, Türkiye

RELIGIONS Orthodox

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE

DESCRIPTION
According to tradition the building date of the Saint Paul Church is 1102, but the present structure, a domeless basilica, was built (or rebuilt) much later, in 1862. The entrance to its grounds is via an ornate gateway. The total area of the church building is 460 m2. The longer dimension of the building consists of face stone walls and blind vaults. The interior measures 19.30 m × 17.50 m (63.3 ft × 57.4 ft). In the northeast corner stands an elevated belfry. The sides of the central nave window had been decorated by angels and landscape depictions. On the ceiling there are frescos of Jesus in the middle, and Matthew, Mark, Luke and John at the two sides.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE
It is not known if there were any churches established by Paul in Tarsus, but in 1704, P. Lucas wrote that there was a Roman style church which had been built by Saint Paul. V. Langlois visited Tarsus in 1851 and confirmed this. In his words, thick walls which resembled Roman style windows which are narrower outside than inside, and thick columns are noticeable, but no other records exist to substantiate this claim. Medieval Mersin's most important Christian sanctuary was the Armenian cathedral of Hagia Sophia, in which Leon I of Rubenid house was crowned by Konrad Von Wittelsbach, the Archbishop of Mainz and the representative of Pope, as the king of Cilician Kingdom of Armenia in 1198
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE
The church has been put under protection since 1993 and a restoration work has been carried on during 1998-2000 period. It is now under the protection of the Ministry of Culture and officially known as Monumental Museum. Although the church is open to religious services, because of the lack of community, regular services are not held; but ceremonies are held for groups of pilgrims. During Saint Pavlos year between 29 June 2008 and 29 June 2009, there was a number of special ceremonies and the closing ceremony of the year was held in Saint Paul's Church in Tarsus
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
Church of St. Paul is located in the Ulu Cami quarter. The church dedicated to St. Paul was originally built in the 11th and 12th centuries A.D. and underwent major renovation in 1862. There are frescoes depicting Christ and the Four Evangelists with Angels on the roof. The church is an important place of pilgrimage for Christians and in 1992-93 it hosted the "Saint Paul Symposium and Ceremony" organised by the Vatican.
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS
Direct visit is allowed.
REFERENCE TO THE GUIDELINE

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    This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.