European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 24, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse Izmir s Chapel is a Cathedral stories by Janet Howells Tierney staff writer the religious meeting ground of the military Community in Izmir Turkey is refreshing contrast to the Plain Post Chapel seen on most 20 years the Community has leased the 114-year-old Cathedral of Saint John the evangelist from the City. The Cathedral is the Only surviving Church of the seven churches of Asia minor mentioned in biblical scriptures. Saint John the apostle after whom the Cathedral is named is credited with the founding of the Izmir diocese in the Bible the City is referred to As Smyrna. The domed Gray Brown building is surrounded by a Wall which encloses a Garden full of roses statues. The grounds Cathedral Are maintained by Nuri Khalaji a turkish Kapicki pronounced cop i Chi meaning keeper of the door whose salary is paid by the Community. Khalaji Points to the building s Cornerstone which was put in place in 1862. Construction went slowly until a Sultan donated 11,000 Gold turkish lira to the project. The Cathedral was finished in 1874. After passing by the outside pillars entering the Cathedral one must adapt to a remarkable purple Haze which lingers Over the entire inside area. The ceilings Are painted with Pink Green snowflakes ringed in circles of Blue a decidedly Garish combination which it. Col. Walter w. Shealy Community chaplain said he would like to change. Actually we be done Little to modernize Shealy said. Heat electricity have been added but that s about it. Otherwise it s in the same shape As when we got it life sized statues of saints stare Down at Shealy As he passes by the Cathedral s 11 altars. Each commemorates a different Saint the chaplain his staff at times get into discussions about what inspired the different poses gestures of the statues or paintings. Unfortunately All records about this place were destroyed in a fire around the turn of the Century so we know Little about the building Shealy said. But thanks to Jean we re finding out some of its Jean r. Pitts is a retired american museum director who has dedicated her Energy toward researching the history of each Saint in the Polycarp whose altar is in the Back right Side of the Church is Pitts favorite. Polycarp was once the Bishop of Smyrna she has Learned was important in preserving letters from the apostles other religious papers before being martyred in 155 . Stepping lightly Over the burial vaults of three Bishops located under the floor near the main altar their footfalls Echo off the Marble floors Bounce around the Cathedral s pillars Arches. This place has atrocious acoustics Shealy said. We always get Shealy has found -. 01. I that the congregate Only col Walter Shealy hears better if installation chaplain preaching is done from a pulpit which juts out in the Middle of the pews not from near the main altar. Sunday is a Busy Day in the Cathedral. Services begin at 9 . And last until 7 30 . Providing time for a variety of denominations including lutherans catholics protestants mormons. Churches of Christ gospel charismatic services also Are held on sundays. We get our Money s Worth out of it Shealy said while pointing to a window. The stained Glass window is the Only original one to survive earthquakes wars riots fire storms that have destroyed the others. Shealy said his office is trying to get a plate Glass window to protect it from future harm. In the Black sea the strength of their commitment could be measured in Waters of the Black sea Are icy Coldin May but three service members Insi nop Turkey Felt they had Good reason to Dunk their Heads in it. The Trio wanted to be baptised the Post chaplain knew just the place. Some ask for total immersion i accommodate them the Only Way i can said Synop chaplain it. Col John k. Stake. Synop was an Early Center of christianity in the area stake explained. Ruins of a byzantine Era Chapel monastery from the 4th Century remain on an overgrown Hill in the City. The Black sea was probably the site of baptisms during ancient times he said. Today the Region around Synop is primarily moslem but the Post Chapel built by Christian soldiers will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year. With this baptism we Are continuing a tradition that began with the birth of the Church in this area stake said. Christianity is still alive Well during the bus ride to the seashore the men explained they Felt the need to be baptised but that there weren t any other Large bodies of water nearby except for bathtubs in the women s Barracks. Later friends stood nearby smiling shivering As the three scuttled Down the Steep Bank to the Shore stripped Down to to shirts shorts. As stake began Reading from Matthew in the new testament everyone bowed their Heads straining to hear Over the Waves crashing into nearby Cliffs. When the Reading was Over the chaplain announced the moment has come Slimy Green algae clinging to jagged rocks beckoned them to step off the Sandy Shore into the Chilly Waves. One at a time the Goose bump covered men walked out to the waiting chaplain. Pfc. Paul b. Carlson 21, handed his glasses to a Friend before wading into the water. The chaplain put one hand on his Back one on his shoulder while Carlson prepared by pinching his nose. After a Quick splash the newly baptised Soldier shivered harder made for Shore saying of Man Carlson grabbed a Towel huddled to watch the others. Spec. Sean a. Crawford 21, was next to take the big dip came up sputtering of my god after Seaman Martin a. Baker 23, came up he almost went Down a second time slipping on the Slimy Bottom. Baker Cut a his toe on one of the jagged rocks nearly lost a Sandal but came out of the water wide eyed let out a loud whoop. All the shivering men declared they Felt better after the experience. The act is symbolic of drowning the former self washing away All sin the beginning of a new life stake said. This Means another soul has found Jesus said onlooker Gerda h. Gates. They will be some of the few that can say they were baptized in the Black . Page 16 the stars stripes sunday july 24,1988
