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The reconstruction, begun in 1797 by Patr. Gregory V, largely produced the structure of the church that exists today. Little remains of the original building. The plan for the church was a [[basilica]] with a [[nave]] and two [[aisle]]s with three semicircular [[apse]]s in the eastern end. A [[narthex]] was built across the western end. The aisles are defined by colonnades that separated them from the nave. A [[synthronon]] is arranged at the back of the [[altar]] as a semi-circle of seats along the curved wall of the apse for the senior [[clergy]], with the patriarchal throne of marble in the center.
Patr. Gregory VI made further changes to the church in the late 1830s. Principal among these changes was the raising of the roof to its present height. Also added was the neo-Classical marble doorway that makes the exterior in front of the church different from the Byzantine style of most Orthodox churches in the region. During the reign of Patr. [[Joachim III of Constantinople|Joachim III]] in the late nineteenth century extensive remodeling of the interior of the church was conducted. In 1941, the church was again damaged by fire. For political reasons this damage was not repaired until 1991.
Among the treasures in the church are the marble throne which is believed to date from the fifth century and the [[relics]] of Sts. [[Gregory the Theologian]] and [[John Chrysostom]]. These relics were among the loot taken from Constantinople during the [[Fourth Crusade]] in 1204 that were returned to the patriarchate in 2004 by Pope [[John Paul II]].
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St_George%2C_Istanbul Wikipedia: Church of St George in Istanbul]
[[Category: Churches|George]][[Category: Churches in Turkey|George]]
