Video: Why the Christian Cathedral of Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque, and why it is important for atheists
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
The world famous Hagia Sophia in Istanbul will once again become a mosque. A place of such religious importance for both Christians and Muslims has been in existence for fifteen centuries. Since 1934, Hagia Sophia has become a museum and has attracted millions of tourists every year. Now Turkey has unconditionally announced that the cathedral will become a mosque and has already passed the first prayer. Why is it so important that even atheists should know about it?
The other day in Turkey, the court allowed to turn the Hagia Sophia into a Muslim mosque. The cathedral has had the status of a museum for the last 85 years. The State Council of Turkey has concluded that the Hagia Sophia in its current status is against the law. Those who made Hagia Sophia a museum did it wrong, broke the law. The government claims that they are now exercising their sovereign right.
The status of a museum for the Byzantine cathedral was established by Kemal Ataturk, the first president of the Republic of Turkey. The temple was built by Emperor Constantine I in the period from 324 to 337. It was a basilica for Greek Orthodox Christians. This church burned down during an uprising in 404. The building was restored by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. In 537 the construction was completed. The first service took place on Christmas Day. For 9 centuries, the cathedral was the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople. All major religious ceremonies were held here. During this time, the temple was twice subjected to earthquakes and its dome collapsed. It was restored and everything returned to normal.
In the 11th century, a significant religious event took place in Hagia Sophia - the Church was divided into Catholic and Orthodox. The temple has experienced many natural disasters, uprisings and wars. At the beginning of the 13th century, the cathedral was captured and plundered by the crusaders. The temple was able to be restored only by the end of the 13th century. The function of the cathedral was to demonstrate the power of Christianity and its dependence on the state.
The end of the Christian history of the temple was laid by Mehmed the Conqueror, who captured it in 1453. So the Hagia Sophia began its journey from a Christian temple to a mosque. After the fall of Byzantium, Hagia Sophia was completely lost to the Christian world. But it was thanks to her that Kievan Rus became Orthodox. The fact is that when the ambassadors of Prince Vladimir arrived in Constantinople, they were invited to worship at the Great Church. The majesty of the temple and its rich decoration, as well as the ceremony itself, made such a deep impression on them that upon their return they convinced the prince to accept Christianity.
There was something to be impressed with. Hagia Sophia is a classic basilica with a rectangular base. It has two levels - the ground floor and the gallery. The first tier was intended for representatives of the clergy and the emperor, as well as for male parishioners. The women were supposed to be at the top. There are nine exits in the temple building. The main one is the famous Imperial Gate. They are located on the west side. Legend has it that a gate was created from the remains of Noah's ark. They were used only on major holidays, and only rulers and patriarchs had the right to go through them.
The current court decision has sparked significant protests. Many viewed it as an attempt to consolidate centralized power. Religious leaders and politicians declare that this ancient structure is part of the world heritage. It belongs to all of humanity. Turkey in response asked "not to specify".
It looks like another step towards making a secular state a religious one. The current president has good support from religious conservatives and Turkish nationalists. But this is a real border between Europe and Asia, West and East. Like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Parthenon in Athens, Hagia Sophia is a long-lived symbol of the cosmopolitan city. Now this will change.
Hagia Sophia has been a World Heritage Site since 1985, and UNESCO is among the organizations opposing the decision to turn the cathedral into a mosque. Needless to say, what a deep confusion this decision caused among Orthodox Christians ?! The Geneva-based World Council of Churches, which includes Protestant and Orthodox churches, spoke of its "grief and confusion."
Criticism comes from the highest levels. During the public address, the Pope made a very short impromptu remark, saying, "I am thinking of Sophia and it hurts a lot." Erdogan says that those who are afraid of a change in the status of the temple, in fact, have nothing to fear. "The doors of Hagia Sophia will be wide open to locals and foreigners, Muslims and non-Muslims." The government also promises that Christian symbols will not be removed.
Hagia Sophia opened as a mosque for prayer on 24 July. Too many dramatic events have taken place in this iconic building over the past 1,500 years. Maybe this is the last one? Or not so dramatic? Do not forget that God does not dwell in buildings, but in hearts.
Cathedrals have had bad luck lately: read our article the curse of the French cathedrals: why after the fire in Notre Dame the Cathedral of Nantes burned.
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