I can not recall seeing a more majestic school than the one in Fener which is the Greek Orthodox School. The origin of the school goes back to 1453. This was when Fatih Sultan Mehmet who was a very progressive Sultan did the best he could to invite some of locals of Constantinople to return to the city after its conquest by the Turks and to establish a Roman community. Fatih signed a treaty with the Orthodox Patriarch for the establishment of this school in 1454.
The mosaic showing the agreement between Fatih Sultan Mehmet and the first Orthodox Patriarch of İstanbul, Gennadios II. This treaty also guaranteed the protection of the Orthodox community and their religious practises and their right to marry, divorce and inherit according to Orthodox traditions. This mosaic can be seen inside the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in walking distance to the School in Fener.
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Fener
The school graduated many prominent figures for the Orthodox community such as clergymen, translators and political leaders. The school did not only teach theology but also philosophy and literature. In 1861, the school became a regular high school and took the name Fener Rum High School.
The current majestic building dates back to 1881. Its architect is a graduate of the school named Dimadis. Art historians say that Dimadis wanted to build an eternal building that could stand the test of time and show the imprint of Orthodox Christianity in İstanbul.
There are only forty students in this school today but it still keeps looking at us with all its grandeur from the hilltop of Fener reminding us of İstanbul’s Byzantine heritage.
