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Hagia Sophia
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

Heaven on earth · Istanbul, Turkey

In 537 Emperor Justinian dedicated this church to Holy Wisdom, built in less than six years. Its enormous dome seems to float on a ring of light, and Justinian is said to have exclaimed: 'Solomon, I have outdone you!' For almost a thousand years it was the heart of the Orthodox world. Today it is open to visitors outside prayer times, and Christian mosaics and Islamic calligraphy can be seen in the same space.

Did you know?

For almost 1,000 years it was the largest cathedral in the world. It has since been a mosque, a museum and, since 2020, a mosque again.

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An inspiring story

Heaven or earth?

Can beauty bring you closer to God?

Around 987 Prince Vladimir of Kyiv wanted to choose a faith for his people. He sent envoys to see how different peoples worshipped. In Constantinople they were taken into the Hagia Sophia during the liturgy: the singing, the incense, the light under the enormous dome. Back home they reported: 'We did not know whether we were in heaven or on earth. We only know that God dwells there among people.' Why did that convince them? Not an argument, but an experience of God's presence. Soon after, Vladimir was baptised, and so were the people of Kyiv.

Sometimes faith begins not in the head, but in wonder.

We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth… We only know that God dwells there among men.Russian Primary Chronicle

Sources

Journeys through this place

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