The ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE at Fener, by the Golden Horn, is the heart of Orthodox Christianity. After Constantine the Great's declaration of Christianity as the religion of Roman Empire, the capital was moved from Rome to Byzantium. With the conquest (1453) of Ottoman Empire, the seat of Patriarchate remained in Istanbul. The Church commanding a loyalty of about 250 million faithful.

Church of PANAGIA OF BLACHERNAE, famed with the hagiasma (fountain of holy water), good to cure health problems, and the Hagion Lousma (sacred bath) good to clean the soul, where the emperor also came to purify himself, was the best known and most celebra shrine of the Holy Virgin located near Golden Horn.

ST. SAVIOR IN CHORA, originally a Byzantine monastery, Dedicated to Jesus Christ the Savior, survived with fantastic mosaics and frescoes, portraying scenes from the Bible, the life and miracles of Jesus. The monastic complex of Christ PANTOCRATOR (Zeyrek) was one of the largest and best organised of the Byzantine period, comprising two churches and a funerary chapel, baths, a hospice for the aged, a hospital and a medical school, a hostel for travelers, and a library.

ZOODOCHOS PEGE AT BALIKLI, dedicated to the Mother of God at Pege, with an underground cistern, full of gold fish related to a well-known miracle, and the fountain of holy water, believed to cure many diseases, is one of the most celebrated shrines.

ST. SERGIUS & BACCHUS, a Landmark in Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture. Today it is known as the "Uttle Hagia Sophia" because its general plan is precursor of The Hagia Sophia.

HAGIA SOPHIA, for many centuries was the largest church of Christendom, Dedicated to Divine Wisdom, an attribute of Christ. Hagia Sophia played an important role as emperors were crowned and many victories were celebrated in this remarkable building.

HAGIA EIRENE, the old patriarchal church with its impressive size stands next to Hagia Sophia. Church of the ST. MARY PAMMACARISTOS (Fethiye), built in XI. th century by John Comnenus, displaying the aesthetic refinement attained to Paleologan age, originally belonged to a convent of nuns. Housed the Patriarchate for a while after the conquest.

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