Istanbul Patriarchate purchases world’s third oldest church

BURSA – Anatolia News Agency 13/9/2012 The world’s reputedly third oldest church, the Byzantine Başmelekler Church, or Taksiyarhon Church, was purchased by the Istanbul patriarchate on Sept. 10, the head priest of Halki Seminary, Professor Elpidophoros Lambriniadis, has announced. The Başmelekler Church, built in 789 by Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogennetos, is located in the Trilye region of the Marmara province of Bursa