Ecumenical Patriarch in Cappadocia
On Saturday morning, June 8, 2013, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew realized his annual pilgrimage to the ancient Christian and monastic region of Cappadocia, present-day Niğde in Turkey. He was accompanied by Metropolitans Joseph of Proikonnesos and Theoleptos of Ikonion, Grand Ecclesiarch Fr. Benjamin, Archimandrite Agathangelos Siskos, Patriarchal Dn. Nephon Tsimalis, Mr. Nikolaos Manginas and Mr. Mario Tarinas.
Visit the Cave Churches of Cappadocia
In the 4th century small anchorite communities began to form in the region, acting on instruction of Saint Basil of Caesarea. They carved cells in the soft rock. During the iconoclastic period (725-842) the decoration of the many sanctuaries in the region was held to a minimum, usually symbols such as the depiction of the cross. After this period, new churches were dug into the rocks and they were richly decorated with colourful frescoes.