A historical religious structure in Devrek (The Armenian Church)

Τα ιστορικά γεωγραφικά όρια του Zonguldak, που βρίσκεται στη βορειοδυτική Μαύρη Θάλασσα, βρίσκονταν πάντοτε ανάμεσα στη Βιθυνία, τον Πόντο και την Παφλαγονία. Σήμερα το Devrek, ένας μικρός οικισμός στη Μαύρη Θάλασσα, είναι μια γέφυρα ανάμεσα στο Zonguldak το Center, το Bartin και το Karabϋk. Πριν περάσουμε στη μελέτη της Εκκλησίας μας, είναι αναγκαίο να παρουσιάσουμε την ιστορία της περιοχής, καθώς είναι πολύ σημαντικό για να κατανοήσουμε την πολιτισμική διαφοροποίηση που υπήρχε εκεί. Στην παρούσα μελέτη, η Αρμενική Εκκλησία στο Devrek, για την οποία δεν αφιερώθηκε κάποια ειδική μονογραφία, εξετάζεται για πρώτη φορά από όλες τις απόψεις. Πρόκεται για τη μοναδική κατασκευή που αποδίδεται στους Αρμένιους στο Devrek που ήταν πολυπληθείς στα σύνορα με το Zonguldak, το Karabϋk και το Bartin στη βορειοδυτική Μαύρη Θάλασσα. The Ottoman Empire had contained very diverse ethnic communities within its geography. One of them was the Armenians. These Armenians created Armenian neighborhoods and built many social, educational or religious buildings to live better around Anatolia. The Armenian Churches were one of the most important structures built by them. One of these churches was constructed during the 19th century within the borders of Devrek which is the district of Zonguldak in the northwest Black Sea. The church is registered with number 24 at Vali Fahri Υϋcel Street, Ismet Pasha Neighborhood in Devrek. The Church in Devrek is called Devrek Armenian Church in the State Archive Documents and Virgin Mary Church in public. Documents in the in the Ottoman Archives of the Prime Ministry include the building plan and facade views. The building was built in rectangular plan with the direction of east and west. The Church in Devrek, which has undergone changes by resisting various destructions for many years and survived until today, draws attention in terms of its architecture and cultural presence in the region. The building was used as fire station and now it is still using as a cinema. In addition to introducing the Devrek Armenian Church, this study aims to attract attention to this building, which shows the cultural diversity in the region. It must be restored to return it its original situation. For this aim, the archive documents were investigated, photographs were taken and restoration suggestions were given. The subject of this book is the Armenian Church in Devrek. The book contains six sections as Introduction, Armenians in Devrek, Armenian Church, Evaluation and Conclusion, Evaluation of Archive Documents and Bibliography.