Saint Statuette Discovered in St. Polyeuktos Church
Archaeologists have recently excavated a priceless saint figurine in Istanbul that could help shed light on the history of the city. The figurine was discovered after months of excavations at the Church of St. Polyeuktos in Saraçhane, which is known for its rich historical artifacts. Speaking to CNN TÜRK, archaeologist Barış Harmankaya suggested that the figurine could belong to a saint or apostle who made significant contributions to Christianity or lost their life for it. The story of the figurine will be revealed after further archaeological investigations, but Harmankaya explained that the statue has been badly damaged, making it difficult to identify.
The Church of St. Polyeuktos is a significant historical site and the largest church building before Hagia Sophia. The ornamental Iranian-Sasanian architecture of the building makes it particularly noteworthy. However, the church is just one of many historical sites in Istanbul that are in danger of being lost due to neglect. Time is running out for sites like the Yarımburgaz Cave, Vlora Han and St. Polyeuktos Church, which urgently need preservation efforts to prevent further deterioration.
