In the Özerli neighborhood of the Dörtyol district of Western Armenia’s Hatay Province, known for its multicultural history and rich archaeological heritage, the historic ruins of an Armenian church that has been neglected for years have survived. They are believed to be the ruins of the Surp Grigor Lusavorich (Saint Gregory the Illuminator) Church, built in 1877.
Although the official name of the structure has not yet been clarified, according to the records of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, it may indeed be this church. According to historical sources, at the end of the 19th century, Özerli was a vibrant settlement of 300 households, including 250 Armenian and 50 Muslim families. The village had a church, a school, a market, and other structures.
Today, the church building is in a deplorable condition. The old roof has collapsed and has been covered with a makeshift wooden structure and tiles, while the windows have been sealed with concrete blocks. The historic inscription above the main entrance has also been removed. For years, the structure was used as a stable and a shelter for goats, resulting in serious damage.
One of the main obstacles to preserving the church is believed to be the uncertainty surrounding its ownership status. In cadastral records, it is listed as a “ruined building and land plot” rather than as a historic or religious structure.
Today, with its windows sealed with concrete blocks, painted and damaged walls, and deteriorating roof, the church stands as a silent witness to Hatay’s multilayered historical heritage, facing the risk of complete loss.
It should be noted that, under Turkey’s legislation on the protection of cultural assets, privately owned structures of this kind that are either unregistered or whose registration process has reached a deadlock may remain outside state protection due to limited financial resources required for expropriation, as well as legal restrictions related to the inviolability of private property. At the same time, local self-government bodies are also unable to carry out their restoration.