The Mahometan religion allowed Christians to keep their old churches and houses of worship, but with strict limits. Churches and chapels that had existed for a long time could remain, and Christians were allowed to repair damaged roofs or coverings. However, they were not allowed to build new churches on any newly consecrated land.
No New Foundations
If a church was destroyed by fire or any other accident, the Christians could repair the existing structure but could not add new foundations or strengthen it for a larger building. This rule meant that over time, many Christian churches slowly fell into ruin because no new construction or significant rebuilding was allowed Guided Tours Istanbul.
Historical Examples
This policy can be seen in historical events. For example, during the major fires in Galata and Constantinople in 1660, many Christian churches and chapels were destroyed. Even though the Christian communities tried to rebuild them out of devotion and faith, the authorities often ordered the rebuilt churches to be demolished again. In many cases, only the original foundations remained.
Effect on Christian Worship
Because of these restrictions, Christians could only worship in the old, often damaged structures. They could maintain what was left but could not expand or restore their buildings fully. Over time, this caused many churches to disappear or fall into a state of decay. The rule was not meant to punish the religion directly but to prevent the growth of Christian influence and ensure that new religious buildings could not challenge the dominant Mahometan culture.
In summary, the Mahometan policy tolerated Christian worship in a limited and controlled way. While old churches could remain, new construction was forbidden, and repairs were restricted. Fires, accidents, and public orders often left Christian places of worship in ruins, showing how restrictions on rebuilding gradually weakened the presence of Christianity in these regions.