His Beatitude Mesrob II Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All Turkey visited the Armenian Church of the Three Holy Youths in Boyacikoy on May 22nd Saturday morning accompanied by His Grace Bishop Aram Ateshian the Grand Sacristan of the Patriarchal See and the Revd. Fr. John Whooley currently in Istanbul continuing his doctoral research on Armenian church history. The Patriarch was welcomed by the Boyacikoy Parish Council headed by the Chairman Mr. Nazaret Ozsahakyan. The Boyacikoy Armenian Church was founded in 1836 during the tenure of Patriarch Stepanos Aghavni II. The building of the Church of the Three Young Men was constructed by Misak Amira and consecrated by Patriarch Hagopos III in 1840. Suffering extensive damage from the 17 August 1999 earthquake the Boyacikoy Armenian Church was closed to worship. The Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul and the community members responded to calls from the Parish Council to provide financial aid for the repair and renovation of the historic church. Due to the slow flow of funds the renovation took over four years to complete. Patriarch Mesrob examined the completed work during his visit and expressed his satisfaction to the Parish Council members. Tea was served by the members of the Sayat Nova Choir of the Boyacikoy Church and all present gathered around a table of love. The Patriarch informed the Parish Council that the Patriarchate has decided to re-consecrate the renovated church building to the glory of God on June 26th. The first Divine Liturgy in Boyacikoy since the year 1999 will be celebrated on Sunday June 27th.