Description of the attraction
Six kilometers from Karajaviran is the village of Yeshiloz. It is notable for the fact that there is the Tagar Kilisesi church built in honor of St. Theodora. There is a necropolis three kilometers away.
This Greek church is not a very ancient building. It was built in the 11th century. The church had a T-shaped building plan, which is unique among the churches of Cappadocia. It was originally covered with a dome. Later the dome collapsed and the roof was covered with glass. The second floor of the gallery can be accessed by stairs.
The frescoes on the inner walls have been perfectly preserved and have survived to this day. There are stylistic differences in them, this is due to the fact that they were performed by three different artists working here at different periods of time. They depict scenes from the Bible: the Annunciation, the birth of Christ, the appearance of the prophets, apostles, Jesus on the cross, the angels Gabriel and Michael, images of saints in medallions.
The church was opened on May 15, 1858 with the permission of the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmejid at the request of the Christians of Malakopia (as Derinkuyu was called at that time), as evidenced by a tablet located at the western entrance. To date, some of the letters on this inscription have collapsed, but the relief of the cross has been preserved. There are other reliefs on the left and right, such as the figure of St. George. In addition, the bell tower is in fairly good condition. After the famous "population exchange", the church was used for various household needs. Today it is closed to visitors, and there is nothing inside. True, once or twice a year it is periodically opened for services. This happens at Easter and Christmas.
According to some of the evidence that has survived to this day, Saint Theodora served in the Byzantine army under the name of Captain Theodoris. In order to fulfill the military duties concerning her family, she was forced to go into service dressed in men's clothes. In the service, Theodora was unjustly accused of illegal actions and killed in the place where the church is now located. Another legend says that Saint Theodora was from the Macedonian royal dynasty and was the daughter of Emperor Constantine. She ruled in 1055-1056, until the ruler Mikhail the Military came to power. According to some reports, she was killed, and according to others, Theodora fell seriously ill and died.
The feast of Saint Theodora is celebrated every year on the eleventh of September. On this day, a large number of pilgrims come here to worship a unique place where nature and faith stand so close to each other that they feel like one.
