Other Centers of Early Christian Belief

On the 100 km. line between Tarsus and Silifke and in 25 km. north of Silifke, there are many other centers of significance for the early Christianity period.

Kanlıdivane (Kanytellis), Ayaş (Elaiussa Sebaste) and Kızkalesi (Korykos) are ancient monumental cities with a history dating back to the Hellenistic period.

The grandiosity of the twenty churches discovered to date in these three ancient cities impress each and every visitor who has been there.

Kızkalesi (Korykos)

Twelve of the twenty churches mentioned above are located in Korykos. At least five of these churches are of extremely large proportions and three of these are still erect today. One of them, indeed, is a cathedral.

This unusual majesticity, both in the number and proportions of these churches is the clear indicator of the importance of Christianity in Korykos hence the great role of this city in the religion.

The episcopal center of Korykos was first represented with this name in the Istanbul Council in year 381. This place has also been referenced in the successive councils and the last council in which Korykos was represented was the one in year 680.

This date coincides with the evacuation of the city. Korykos, which was abandoned due to the flooding of the port was reinhabited in 11th century A.D. and later again. The fact that in Early Christian period, the city was not governed by Silifke, a center of archdiocese in closer proximity to the city, but by Tarsus archdiocese points to a problem between Silifke and Korykos, which renders the conclusion that Korykos was as important as Silifke, if not more, and is such a remarkable center of Christianity that it could challenge Silifke’s religious authority at the time.

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