They speak the language of Jesus, built monasteries older than many nations, and have clung to their faith for two millennia—yet their future in Türkiye hangs by a thread.
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A People, a Language, a Legacy
Hidden among the rugged landscapes of Southeastern Turkey, particularly in Mardin, Midyat, and the TurʿAbdin region, lies one of the world’s oldest Christian communities: the Syriac Orthodox Christians. Known as Süryânîler in Turkish, this ancient group has lived here for nearly two millennia, speaking a form of Aramaic, the language of Jesus. Despite their deep historical roots, their numbers have dwindled dramatically over the last century due to migration, conflict, and cultural shifts.
But who are the Syriac Christians, and what remains of their once-thriving civilization in Turkey today?
Ancient Origins: Christianity Before Rome
Long before Emperor Theodosius I made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380, the Syriacs had already embraced the faith. By the 1st century AD, Christianity had spread through Antioch (modern Antakya), one of the earliest Christian centers, and soon reached the Mesopotamian frontier. Unlike their Greek and Latin counterparts, the Syriacs preserved Christian texts in Aramaic, keeping alive one of the most significant languages in biblical history.
The Syriac Orthodox Church, also known as the Jacobite Church, formally separated from Byzantine Christianity in the 5th century, maintaining its distinct liturgical traditions, monastic culture, and theological identity. Over the centuries, their monasteries in TurʿAbdin and around Mardin became key centers of learning, producing scholars, poets, and religious figures who influenced both Eastern and Western Christianity.
The TurʿAbdin Monastic Heartland
The TurʿAbdin plateau, meaning “Mountain of the Servants of God,” is a sacred land for the Syriac Orthodox community, dotted with some of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries. This historic region, spanning Mardin, Mazıdağı, Nusaybin, Şırnak, and Cizre, has long been a center of monastic life and spiritual resilience. Among its most significant religious sites are:
Deyrulzafaran Monastery (Mor Hananyo Monastery)
Located just five kilometers east of Mardin along the Nusaybin road, Deyrulzafaran Monastery stands as one of the most important religious and cultural landmarks of Tur Abdin. It served as the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate for 640 years and remains an enduring symbol of the region’s deep Christian heritage.
The monastery’s history stretches back to antiquity. The lower layers of the structure contain remnants of a Hurrian-era sun temple (circa 1800 BC), suggesting that the site has been a place of worship for millennia. Originally a Roman fortress on the Silk Road, it was transformed into a monastery in the 5th century AD by the Syriac saint Mor Shleymun, who brought relics of various saints to sanctify the site.
Until the 15th century, it was known as the Mor Shleymun Monastery before adopting the name Deyrulzafaran, meaning “Monastery of Saffron,” derived from the Arabic words dayr (monastery) and za’faran (saffron)—a reference to the saffron-colored stone used in its construction.
Encircled by strong walls, the monastery’s main complex follows a rectangular 63×71-meter layout, with a grand courtyard lined with colonnades.
Sections
Within the monastery, key structures include:
- Mor Hananyo Church (493-518 AD): A striking domed church known as the “Kubbeli Kilise” (Domed Church), featuring a cross-shaped interior and once richly decorated with frescoes. The only surviving fresco dates back to 793 AD and depicts Saint Hananyo, who played a major role in the monastery’s restoration.
- Sun Temple, c. 1800 BC: A two-chambered structure located at the eastern corner of Mor Hananyo Church. Its roof, composed of massive interlocking stones without mortar (cyclopean masonry), highlights the advanced engineering techniques of the time.
- Meryem Ana Kilisesi (1686-1708 AD): Constructed under Patriarch Cercis II, this church still hosts baptism ceremonies, featuring a handcrafted 17th-century altar and inscriptions in the Syriac language.
- Beth Kadişe (House of Saints): The burial site of Syriac Orthodox patriarchs and metropolitans, further cementing the monastery’s historical significance.
Other Monastic Landmarks of Tur Abdin
Here are some:
- Mor Gabriel Monastery (397 AD): One of the oldest continually functioning Christian monasteries in the world, this site remains a vital spiritual and cultural center for the Syriac community.
- Mor Malke Monastery: Another key religious structure, revered for its connections to early Syriac Christianity.
Together, these monasteries form the spiritual backbone of Tur Abdin, standing as testaments to the resilience and perseverance of the Syriac Orthodox community, despite centuries of hardship and declining numbers. A visit to this sacred land offers a glimpse into one of the oldest living Christian traditions in the world.
Decline and Migration: What Happened?
At the beginning of the 20th century, Turkey was home to hundreds of thousands of Syriac Christians. However, a combination of factors has led to a dramatic decline in their population:
- Massacres and Forced Displacement (1915-1917) – During World War I, Syriac Christians suffered persecution alongside Armenians in what they refer to as Sayfo (“The Sword”), leading to mass killings and displacement.
- Political Unrest (20th century) – The formation of the Turkish Republic and the decline of the Ottoman millet system led to increasing marginalization.
- Kurdish-Turkish Conflicts (1980s-1990s) – The armed conflict between PKK forces and the Turkish military in southeastern Turkey led to the mass migration of Syriacs to Europe, the US, and Australia.
- Land Disputes & Bureaucratic Challenges – Even today, Syriac monasteries face legal battles over property rights, complicating efforts to preserve their heritage.
From hundreds of thousands a century ago, only about 3,000 Syriac Christians remain in Türkiye, most of them concentrated in Mardin and Istanbul.
Preserving a Disappearing Culture
Despite their small numbers, Turkey’s Syriac community is determined to keep their heritage alive. In recent years, there have been efforts to restore monasteries, teach the Syriac language, and encourage families to return. However, challenges remain.
The Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (KMKD) has reported that many ancient monasteries and churches in TurʿAbdin are at risk due to neglect, vandalism, and land disputes. Some, like Mor Abay Monastery, are in urgent need of conservation efforts before they collapse completely.
Beyond the architectural remnants, Syriac traditions—language, cuisine, music, and rituals—are also in need of preservation. The Documentation and Promotion of the Syriac Intangible Heritage in Mardin Region initiative (intangiblesyriac.org) is one such project working to document and share these cultural treasures. Supported by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), it provides invaluable resources, including multilingual publications and assessments of at-risk heritage sites, ensuring that Syriac customs are not lost to time.
For those interested in history, faith, and cultural survival, visiting these sites offers a rare glimpse into a living but endangered tradition.
Not to be confused: Syriac Orthodox Church vs. Assyrian Church of the East
The Syriac Orthodox Church and the Assyrian Church of the East share roots in ancient Mesopotamian Christianity, use the Syriac language in their liturgy, and both split from the Roman-Byzantine Church in the 5th century. However, their theological views and historical trajectories set them apart.
Key Differences:
Theology:
- The Syriac Orthodox Church follows Miaphysitism, believing that Christ’s divine and human natures are united in one.
- The Assyrian Church of the East (Nestorian) holds that Christ’s divine and human natures are separate, leading to their rejection by both the Byzantines and Syriacs.
Geography & History:
- Syriac Orthodox Church remained centered in Southeastern Turkey (TurʿAbdin, Mardin), Syria, and Lebanon, later moving its patriarchate to Damascus.
- Assyrian Church of the East expanded eastward, influencing Persia, Central Asia, India, and even China, though its power later declined.
Modern Presence:
- The Syriac Orthodox community in Turkey is a small but enduring minority.
- The Assyrians of the East are primarily found in Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Western diasporas.
Despite their differences, both communities have faced centuries of persecution, migration, and struggles for cultural survival. While they share an ancient past, their paths have shaped them into distinct yet interconnected Christian traditions.
Visiting the Syriac Heritage Sites in Turkey
If you’re traveling to Mardin, Midyat, or TurʿAbdin, consider taking the time to visit the remaining Syriac monasteries and churches. Some tips:
- Deyrulzafaran Monastery – Located just outside Mardin, this monastery welcomes visitors and offers guided tours.
- Mor Gabriel Monastery – One of the best-preserved Syriac monasteries, still home to monks and nuns.
- Kırklar Kilisesi (Church of the Forty Martyrs, Mardin) – A stunning church in the heart of Mardin’s old town, still active today.
- Midyat’s Syriac Quarter – Explore the beautifully preserved historic stone houses and churches of this ancient town.
Get in touch for a guided tour
The Syriac Orthodox Christians of Turkey represent a living link to some of the earliest days of Christianity. While their numbers have diminished, their cultural and spiritual legacy remains deeply embedded in the landscape of southeastern Turkey.
By visiting, learning, and sharing their stories, we can help ensure that this ancient heritage is not forgotten.
Would you like to explore the hidden world of Syriac monasteries and churches on your next trip to Turkey?
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