Holy Metropolitan Church of Saint Demetrios

Prinkipos is the largest of the nine Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara, south of Constantinople (Istanbul). The Metropolitan Church of Saint Demetrios stands at the center of the settlement, near the harbor. According to a carved foundation inscription, it was established in 1856, most likely on the site of an earlier Byzantine church. It belongs to the architectural type of the three-aisled basilica, without a narthex.
The devastating earthquake of 17 August 1999 in the Izmit region of Turkey caused extensive damage to the church. In respect of the enduring presence of the Greek community, Athanasios and Marina Martinos undertook the works to restore the material damage sustained by the historic church. The restoration was carried out by a local team of craftsmen from Prinkipos and Constantinople. In several sections, the church was almost entirely reconstructed. All works were executed with careful attention to preserving its original architectural character.
In the summer of 2009, exactly ten years after the 1999 earthquake, the church reopened for worship, and the official re-consecration ceremony took place on 11 July 2009, officiated by the Ecumenical Patriarch, His All-Holiness Bartholomew.

DONATION OF THE NON-PROFIT CIVIL COMPANY AEGEAS

• Restoration, conservation, and enhancement of the Holy Church and its surrounding area.