Fener Greek Patriarch’s saplings in İzmir attract tourists

İZMİR - Doğan News Agency

DHA Photos

The olive and myrtle tree saplings planted by Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew and İzmir Mayor Aziz Kocaoğlu have become tourist attractions. 

Bartholomew and Kocaoğlu planted the trees at the garden of the Greek Orthodox Church of Agios Voukolos in İzmir on Feb. 6.

Orthodox Christian historians claim Saint Voukolos was the first Christian bishop of Smyrna (present-day İzmir). It is believed his tomb is located in the church’s courtyard. 

While Bartholomew’s olive tree has grown enough to give its first yield, tourists and locals transformed the myrtle into a “wish tree” by tying little pieces of cloth to its branches.  

The historical church opened its doors to visitors after undergoing restoration and has since been attracting an increasing number of visitors, particularly Greek Orthodox people, every day.