Byzantine Christianity, The Orthodox Church

The Great Agia Sophia
(Church of the Holy Wisdom)
in Constantinople (modern day Istanbul, Turkey)

Under the order of the Russian Prince Vladimir of Kiev, a pagan at the time, emissaries were sent to all the lands to search for the most magnificent items of faith. Upon reaching the Agia Sophia church, they were in such amazement that they remarked that they "knew not whether we were on heaven or on earth. For on earth there is no such splendor...we only know that God dwells there among men."

This awesome church of Agia Sophia as we know it today, was built by Emperor Justinian in the year 537AD. The church was the most magnificent in the capital city of Constantinople, the New Rome of the Byzantine Empire. The structure was unfathomable in size for the time that it was erected and dedicated to God’s Holy Wisdom. An architectural marvel, it contained a huge dome, within which was the magnificent icon of Christ the Pantocrator.

Although the church was created in a time without modern lighting techniques, the building was well lit because its central dome (102 feet or 31 meters in diameter) was set upon a ring of closely spaced windows, providing an enormous amount of natural light and sunshine. Those who saw the great church in all its glory would often comment that the church is not lighted by the sun, but that the rays are produced within, because such an abundance of light is poured into this church. The illumination coming through the windows created a feeling which they described as "heaven on earth". Mosaic icon of Christ from Ayia Sophia

In a seemingly impossible feat, the Emperor Justinian spared no expense or manpower to erect the great church in only five years. Some estimate that he spent the equivalent of 20 billion dollars on the church.

On the day of Agia Sophia's consecration, Justinian gave away great gifts of food to the poor in celebration. He then proceeded to the church with the Patriarch and, entering the royal gates, he cried, "Glory to God, who has deemed me worthy of fulfilling such a work". Νενίκηκά σε Σολομών "O Solomon, I have surpassed thee!" In truth, no temple of antiquity had ever come close to the originality and splendor of the magnificent Agia Sophia. It had been made possible only by Justinian's faith.

Colored marbles from all over the world sheathed the walls. Veined marble columns, at the tops and bottoms of which holy relics were enclosed, supported the vast arches. Inside the church were thousands of lamps and candelabras. Gold mosaic covered the surfaces of the vaults and arches. The altar was a solid gold slab, embedded with pearls and precious gems. The wood of the doors that led into the nave was said to have come from the Ark of Noah and were covered in silver.

In this exalted setting, the faithful of the empire celebrated the Divine Liturgy and the various Christian feasts. Each time the Eucharist was served, the entire life of Jesus was re-enacted, thus immersing the baptized into Christ's sanctifying Passion and strengthening them in the beliefs necessary for salvation. This unadulterated Divine Liturgy is still celebrated by the Orthodox Church to this day.

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