So, here I am! This was already my second full day in Turkey. These past two days we were visiting Istanbul, which is the new name given to Constantinople, the centre of the Byzantium Empire. This evening we flew to Ankara where we will continue our trip.
In Istanbul we visited the Church of Saint Saviour in Chora, the Haghia Sophia, the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Blue Mosque, the subterranean Cistern and the old Bazaar (which is a big shopping centre, especially for silverware). We visited also the Archeaological Museum of Istanbul and the Palace of the Sultans, the so-called Topkapi.
What is amazing is the huge Christian heritage which we lost to the Muslims along the centuries. Fortunately, some of the great frescoes and mosaics have been unveiled in the last century but much needs to be done still. This, however, depends on how much the Muslims want to cooperate. There are some very clear signs that they want to return it as a Mosque (as it was until 1935).
I am posting here pictures of some (very few) frescoes and Mosaics, especially found in the Church of Saint Saviour. These are inspired by some Christian-Judeao Apocryphal writings of the mid-second century. One of them, known as the Gospel of James, relates particularly the life of Mary and of Jesus. Another one, author unknown, relates the dormitio of Mary (which means the way how Mary was assumed into heaven body and soul).
I was particularly struck by some icons of Mary and Jesus. There is also a beautiful, significant image of Joachim and Anne with the child Mary.
I am also uploading a picture of the Haghia Sophia (this means Hly Wisdom) from the outside. It was here that St John Chrysostom used to preach. Let's not forget that Chrysostom means "the golden mouth".
I am also uploading a picture of the view from the terrace of the Sultan's Palace ... not bad, eh?!!
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| An Icon of Jesus Christ, the Pantocrator, found in the Church of Saint Saviour in Chora. |
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| A beautiful, significant picture of Joachim, Anne and their daughter Mary ... note the heart form! |
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| A beuatiful image of Christ, the Good Shepherd. |
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| A detail of Our Lady with child from the Church of Saint Saviour in Chora. |
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| Haghia Sophia ... kienet originarjament Knisja Nisranija ... mbaghad Moskea ... issa Muzew! |
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| Dehra tal-bahar Bosphorus li jghaqqad l-Ewropa mal-Asja |
5 comments:
Very nice photos :)
Very nice photos :)
Thanks for the update! Nice pictures and very interesting!
Thanks for info, very interesting about the huge Christian heritage which we lost to the Muslims along the centuries. True much needs to be done still to preserve our frescos, etc.
Great pics as well.
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