After construction was completed in the year 537, the Hagia Sophia (Greek for "Holy Wisdom") functioned as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral and the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople for almost a thousand years. Then, in 1453, following the fall of Constantinople at the hands of the Ottomans, Mehmed the Conqueror immediately ordered that the building be converted into a mosque. Tragically, the bells, altar, iconostasis and other precious relics were destroyed and beautiful mosaics depicting Jesus and other central Biblical characters were destroyed or plastered over.

The ancient place of worship, located in Turkey's capital of Istanbul, was converted into a museum back in 1935, but still remains a uniquely special place to many of the Greek Orthodox traditions... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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