Now a Greek chapel sits on the spot where the holy spring or ayazma of Blachernae flowed in pre-Christian times. Its waters are believed to posses miraculous powers, but having drank it I feel much the same. In 451 a great church was built over the spring by Pulcheria, wife to Emperor Marcian. A few years later the robe and mantle of the Virgin were kept here. As a result it became the most important shrine in the city. The church was destroyed in 1434 by fire.

On the first day of every month Turks, both men and women, wait patiently in line with Christians to collect some holy water which they sprinkle about their homes and shops. On New Year's Eve the queue stretches to even a kilometre in length.
This may seem surprising, but Mary (مريم Marīam in Arabic, Meryem in Turkish), the mother of Jesus (Isa), is considered one of the most righteous women in the Islamic tradition, and therefore highly venerated by many muslims. She is mentioned more in the Quran than in the entire New Testament and is also the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: Internetsite of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople & Wikipedia.