And more than five decades later, the now dilapidated Prinkipo Greek Orthodox orphanage is at risk of collapse. And in 1903, the patriarchate turned it into an orphanage, which took care of nearly 5,800 Greek Orthodox orphans until its closure in 1964. Today, Istanbul's Greek Orthodox minority, who only number around 3,000, are determined to save the dilapidated structure before time runs out. "This building belongs to all of Turkey, the people of Istanbul, the local culture," says Apostolos Poridis, the patriarchate's chief architect. "I would like to see the building (restored to) the splendour of yesteryear, one last time," says Kalamaris.

Source: Bangkok Post May 28, 2018 03:45 UTC