Writer: Mustafa Kaya
October 2007

From slavery to sainthood
St. Yuannis was held prisoner by Turks, in Prut war between Ottoman Empire and Russia, in 1711. He came to Ürgüp after he had been sold in slave bazaar and worked as a stableman for Ömer Ağa who was the owner of a house in Kayakapı Mahallesi of Ürgüp. His deep philosophical personality that has a historical background, made him a holy person in the sight of Muslims. Later on, this thought became stronger after some of his prophecies had come true. Greeks in Ürgüp, also, appreciated his gift so Yuannis became a Saint both for Muslims and Christians. 
Yuannis was buried in Greek cemetery in Ürgüp. Afterwards, a small tomb was built on his grave. Later on, it was decided to take down this cemetery and build a big church on the area where the tomb was laying. This church, which was called as St. Yuannis Church, was opened in 1892 with difficulties. The most glorious architectural monument of the region, St. Yuannis Church, was abandoned by Greeks at the end of the population exchange in 1924. Greeks took St. Yuannis’ body and important works of the church with them. Today, these works are in a similar style church in New Prokopi district, in Eğriboz Island of Greece.

Pull down of the church
In the late 1940s, Greece government applied to United Nations, for the registration of Greek works remained in Turkey. Turkish government chose to destroy those works, against the possibility of United Nations’ registration decision. Unfortunately, St. Yuannis Church was taken down in 1948-1952. Today, a vocational high school stands on the area where church was standing once. It’s known that stones from the ruin of the church were used in Ürgüp Municipality building. Magnificent marble door of the church is also garnishing Ürgüp Municipality’s entrance. The epitaph on this door, today in glass protected section, can be seen in Ürgüp Municipality’s garden. Iron cages of church’s windows are transferred to Tahsinağa Library, in Ürgüp. Doubtless, pull down of St. Yuannis church is regrettable for Ürgüp and all our country.

Note: This article has been published in Peribacası Cappadocia Culture and Publicity Magazine, October 2007 issue. It is under protection of the copyrights of the magazine. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by electronic, mechanical or other means without prior permission from the owner. www.cappadociaexplorer.com