St. John's Cathedral (Izmir)

St. John's Cathedral

St. John's Cathedral in Izmir is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Izmir.^[1] The cathedral is dedicated to John the Evangelist, who in the Book of Revelation sent greetings and instructions to the Seven churches of Asia, including Smyrna (Izmir).^[2]

History

The cornerstone of the cathedral was laid in 1862. In 1863 the Ottoman Sultan, Abdülaziz, donated 11,000 gold Turkish Lira for the construction and Christians from Lyon in France also contributed. The link with Lyon was due to missionaries from Smyrna introducing Christianity to Lyons in the second century.

The building was finished in 1874, and dedicated on May 25, 1874, by Archbishop Vincent Spaccapietra, Apostolic Delegate to Asia Minor.^[3] Prior to this time, a church which is now the parish church of Sancta Maria served as the pro-Cathedral for the diocese.

In 1965 the then Archbishop of Smyrna, Joseph Emmanuel Descuffi, granted permission to NATO Military personnel, both Protestant and Catholic, and their dependents stationed in Izmir to use the cathedral for religious services.

Interior

The beautiful painting over the high altar of the cathedral depicts St. John, with the eagle as his liturgical symbol. He is pictured with pen and scroll writing his Gospel. The painting is autographed by its artist, A. Von Kramer. The other pictures in the sanctuary area are (on right) St. Augustine, St. Andrew, and St. Athanasius; (on left St. Polycarp, 2nd-century Bishop of Smyrna and martyr for Christ) and St. John Chrysostom. One panel is blank because the original painting was destroyed by fire early in this century.

Additional paintings in the cathedral are as follows: to the right of the main entrance - St. Vincent de Paul giving Holy Communion to children. Vincent, a 17th-century French priest, founded an order for men (the Vincentians or Lazarists) and one for women, the Sisters of Charity. For centuries Vincentian priests staffed local churches in the archdiocese, and until this century taught in the Lysee (High School) across the street from the Efes Hotel. Sisters of Charity still staff the French Hospital in Izmir.

The second painting on the right is of Saints Peter and Paul. Paul with the Apostle John established Christianity in the Aegean region of Asia Minor. The Book of the “Acts of the Apostles” (Chap. 18–19) tells of his stay in nearby Ephesus; it makes fascinating reading.

To the left of the main entrance, the first painting is of three early bishops of this area: Ignatius of Antioch (Antakya); Polycarp of Smyrna and Irenaeus, priest of Smyrna, who went to Lyons in France and became bishop there. The background for the picture of these bishops is the artist's conception of what ancient Smyrna looked like.^[4]

The other picture is of St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary.

Mounted over the inside of the entrance to the cathedral is a painting which depicts seven bishops of the seven churches of the Apocalypse. This painting, originally done for the Sacrament Chapel at Cigli Air Base, was brought to the cathedral in May 1970.

About 30 feet from the floor on the left and right of the cathedral are small medallion portraits of three bishops and three popes who helped in the construction of the cathedral: (on right) Anthony Mussabini, bishop here 1838–1861, Vincent Spaccapietra 1862–1878; and Andrew Timoni 1879–1904. (on left) The papal portraits are of Gregory XVI, Bishop of Rome, 1831–1846; Pius IX, Bishop of Rome 1846–1878; and Leo XIII, Bishop of Rome 1878–1903.

Memorial tombs to Bishops Mussabini and Spaccapietra are located in the garden of the cathedral on the left and right respectively. They were carved by Carrara artists.

As worshipers enter the cathedral grounds from Sehit Nevres Bulvari, they notice the initials D.O.M. above the main entrance on the fascade of the cathedral. They are abbreviations for the Latin Deo Qptimo Maximo "To the honor of God, the best, the greatest."

On the left of the main entrance is the dedicatory plaque for the building. Somewhat freely translated it says: <quote>This temple, (built) to honor St. John, Apostle and writer, (had) its cornerstone laid on 26 November 1862. Thanks (are given) for the generous offerings by (local) citizens and contributions by foreigners. Pope Pius IX, in the 27th year of his long pontificate granted it the high honor (of being) a Minor Basilica, and enriched it with the same indulgences as that of St. John Lateran Basilica (in Rome). He (also) donated the high altar, with its precious stones and metals.

Vincent Spaccapietra, Vincentian priest, Archbishop of Smyrna and Victor Apostolic to Asia Minor and the Kingdom of Greece, dedicated it on 25 June 1874, the 27th anniversary of (his ordination to) the priesthood. (Present were) Lawrence Berceretti, Archbishop of Nazos: Fidelis Abate, Bishop of Santorino: John Marengo, Bishop of Tinos.</quote>

The Baptistry, on the right of the main entrance, was not outfitted until 1916; as the dedicatory plaque tells. A local resident named John Moriconi was its donor. A priest by the name of Peter Longinotti was rector of the cathedral at this time.

The side chapels of the cathedral are dedicated to St. Joseph (the present sacrament chapel) and to Our Lady of Sorrows.

High above the sanctuary area, near the ceiling of the building, is a triangle with an eye in the center. The triangle is the symbol of the Blessed Trinity, and the eye represents the "All-seeing, all knowing wisdom of God."

References

1. GCatholic.org
2. History of St. John's Cathedral, JOHN J. FLATTERY, Ch, Major, USAF 1 July 1970
3. His monument is located at the north side of the cathedral garden.
4. Irenaeus was the Bishop of Lyons who wrote that Polycarp of Smyrna was martyred near the Agora about the year 150 and that he had received his instruction in Christianity from the Apostles.

Coordinates: 38°25′43″N 27°08′22″E / 38.42861°N 27.13944°E