CHRISTIANITY IN CAPPADOCIA

Cappadocia was one of the most important historical and cultural area in Anatolia since the old times. Before then, Christians who are running away from Jews attacks , they were hiding in Cappadocia to worship and pray in freedom. In 4th century, Cappadocia has become the major center for Christianity.

DARK CHURCH AT GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM

There are 2 different views about how Christianity came to Anatolia, one of them says that Christianity came to Anatolia with Saint Peter, other one says it came with Pevlus (Barnabas’s companion) in 50 AD. Even though there is no certain information about who brought Christianity to Anatolia, it is understood from the information given by the New Testament that there were people who accepted Christianity in the Cappadocia Region while the apostles were still alive before about 65 years.

After Christians came to Cappadocia , they have met with Jewish groups. But after that they have decided tos tay in Cappadocia area because jews accepted them and Christians liked the standards in there. These people, who worshiped in the Synagogues at first, created a Christian community in there, afterall Cappadocia became one of the favorite settlements of Christians living in the Early Christian Period.

The biggest impact on Christianity in Cappadocia were Three Holy Hierarchs (Cappadocian Fathers). They were Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom. Saint Basil the Great has born in 329 in the region known as Caesaria ( a.k.a Kayseri). Some sources are syaying that he had privileged family and his behaviour during Roman Empire’s pressures over Christians. Basil spent big majority of his life on education over Christianity and philosophy. Gregory of Nyssa, has born in 335 in Nyssa, the city is not exist anymore but its in Tokat ( city in Turkey) today. He was siblings with Basil of Caesarea. Gregory of Nazianzus has born in 329 in Cappadocia. He is seeing as the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age.

CAPPADOCIAN FATHERS (CHORA FRESCOES-ISTANBUL)