The Church of the Holy Apostles (Greek: Ἅγιοι Ἀπόστολοι, Agioi Apostoloi; Turkish: Havariyyun Kilisesi), also known as the Imperial Polyandrion (imperial cemetery), was a church in Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The first structure dated to the 4th century, though future emperors would add to and improve upon it. It was second in size and importance only to the Hagia Sophia among the great churches of the capital.
When Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, the Holy Apostles briefly became the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Three years later the dilapidated edifice was abandoned, and the patriarchate was moved to the Theotokos Pammakaristos Church. In 1461, the Church of the Holy Apostles was demolished by the Ottomans to make way for the Fatih Mosque, which still stands in Istanbul, Turkey.
Church of the Holy Apostles in Agent of Byzantium[]
The Church of the Holy Apostles was the second most important church in Constantinople. During the smallpox outbreak of Etos Kosmou 6816 (1307), Magistrianos Basil Argyros went to the Church of the Holy Apostles to find a priest to give his wife Helen the last rites. Only one, Ioasaph, agreed to risk exposure to the disease.[1]
Church of the Holy Apostles in Justinian[]
In his memoir, Emperor Justinian II referenced the Church of the Holy Apostles several times. It was the tomb of several emperors and their kin,[2] including Justinian's father Constantine IV, and Justinian's wife, Eudokia.[3]
On a happier note, Justinian also relayed how a series of Roman victories against the Arabs in the 670s sent grateful citizens to the churches of Constantinople, including the Holy Apostles.[4]
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