St. Nicholas Church, Demre

Ceiling fresco

St. Nicholas Church, Demre is an ancient Byzantine Church located in modern-day town of Demre Antalya Province, (Southwest Turkey). Its usage is dated between 5th-12th centuries. It is most notable for being the burial place of St. Nicholas of Myra, who was the Eastern Orthodox bishop of the ancient city of Myra in the 4th century, and is an important religious figure for Eastern Orthodox Christians, and Christians everywhere for being Santa Claus.^[1] The Church is on UNESCO's tentative list to become a world heritage site.^[2]

History

The church was built in AD 520 on the foundations of an older Christian church where Saint Nicholas served as a bishop. Over time the church was flooded, filled with silt, and buried. In 1862 it was restored by Russian Tzar Nicholas I, who added a tower and made other changes to its Byzantine architecture. The church is regarded as the 3rd most important Byzantine structure in Anatolia. It is noted for its remarkable wall frescos, and its architectural and religious significance. The northeast annex arcade contains the only example of St Nicholas's life cycle as well.^[3]

Archaeological excavations

Archaeological excavations in the Church started in 1988 directed by Prof. S. Yıldız Ötüken of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. The work has revealed some of the northern section of the monastery complex, and also the small chapels around the nave, one of which notably contains vibrant frescoes detailing the life and miracles of the saint, and a desecrated sarcophagus which is thought to be the original burial place from where his remains were stolen by raiders from Bari in 1087.^[4]

Liturgy

The Orthodox Liturgy is occasionally celebrated there on 6 December

References

↑ "St. Nicholas Center ::: Demre Statues". www.stnicholascenter.org. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
↑ "St. Nicholas Church". UNESCO. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
↑ "St. Nicholas Center ::: Demre Statues". www.stnicholascenter.org. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
↑ For the story of the translation of the bones see: Charles W. Jones, "Saint Nikolaos of Myra, Bari, and Manhattan: Biography of a Legend" (Chicago: University of Chicago Press) 1978, ISBN 978-0-226-40700-5, pp. 176-193.

External links

Coordinates: 36°14′41.36″N 29°59′7.25″E / 36.2448222°N 29.9853472°E / 36.2448222; 29.9853472

UNESCO Tentative list of World Heritage Sites in Turkey

Aegean	Aizanoi antique city Archaeological Site of Aphrodisias Birgi Mausolem and Sacred area of Hecatomnus Archaeological site of Laodikeia Medieval City of Beçin The Ancient City of Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe Ancient City of Stratonikeia

Black Sea	Mount Harşena and the Rock-tombs of the Pontic Kings Mahmut Bey Mosque Sümela Monastery (The Monastery of Virgin Mary)

Central Anatolia	Archaeological site of Kültepe-Kaneş Eflatun Pınar Eşrefoğlu Mosque Gordion Haji Bektash Veli Complex Historical Monuments of Niğde Konya-A capital of Seljuk Civilization Lake Tuz SEPA Mountainous Phrygia Odunpazarı historical urban site Tomb of Ahi Evren

East Anatolia	Akdamar Island Archaeological Site of Arslantepe Eshab-ı Kehf Kulliye Ishak Pasha Palace The Tombstones of Ahlat the Urartian and Ottoman citadel

Marmara	Çanakkale (Dardanelles) and Gelibolu (Gallipoli) Battles Zones in the First World War İznik Historic Guild Town of Mudurnu The Bridge of Uzunköprü Yıldız Palace Complex

Mediterranean	Alahan Monastery Alanya Ancient city of Anazarbus Ancient Cities of Lycian Civilization Ancient City of Kaunos Ancient City of Korykos Archaeological Site of Perge Güllük Dagi-Termessos National Park Mamure Castle Karain Cave Kekova Archaeological Site of Sagalassos St.Paul Church, St.Paul's Well and surrounding historic quarters (in Tarsus, Mersin) St. Pierre Church in Hatay St. Nicholas Church in Demre The Theatre and Aqueducts of the Ancient City of Aspendos Vespasianus Titus Tunnel

Southeastern Anatolia	Archeological Site of Zeugma The Archaeological Site of Göbeklitepe Harran and Sanliurfa İsmail Fakirullah Tomb Mardin Cultural Landscape Yesemek Quarry and Sculpture Workshop Zeynel Abidin Mosque Complex and Mor Yakup (Saint Jacob) Church

All over Turkey	Anatolian Seljuks Madrasahs Seljuk Caravanserais on the route from Denizli to Dogubeyazit Trading Posts and Fortifications on Genoese Trade Routes

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