[1]
An oasis of peace in the good-natured bustle of Balat. The Orthodox Patriarchate moved here (41°01′45″N 28°57′06″E [2]) in 1601 (after eviction from St Mary Pammakaristos and short stays at Vlach Saray and St Demitrios Xyloportas further down the road) and has been here ever since. The church hasn’t because it burned down and was rebuilt in similar form in 1720.
[3]
It has a portative mosaic icon of the Virgin Mary, described as ‘very lovely, by Freely and ‘of inferior work’ by Liddell. This icon probably came from the Church of the Pammakaristos when the Patriarchate moved.
[4]
There are many, many relics of great importance and greater authenticity than it is possible for any collection of relics to have.
[5]
[6]
[7]