Turkey Nicea and Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia of Iznik (Nicea)

On the way back we stopped at Iznik (formerly known as Nicea) where the catholic church held the Nicean councils. At that time there were about 8 churches with their own Bishops that were acting independently. There were two prevailing opinions as the nature of Jesus Christ.

Discussion of Nicene Creed

One was the Arian belief that Christ was created ex-nihilo by the Father and though divine was therefore less than the Father. This contradicted the belief that Jesus, the Father and the Holy Ghost were all Gods. They compromised on what has become known as the Trinity.

Hagia Sophia, “Holy Wisdom,” was originally a basilica style church built in the fourth century.  After the church burned down twice, Emperor Justinian built the present, fireproof structure around 537 A.D.  Hagia Sophia served as a Christian church for 900 years until 1453, when Moslem Turks took the city and converted it into a mosque.  In 1935, it was turned into a public museum.

Stone remains of the basilica ordered by Theodosius II, showing the Lamb of God

Interior view of the Hagia Sophia, showing Islamic elements in the ceiling

The Deesis mosaic probably dates from 1261. It was commissioned to mark the end of 57 years of Roman Catholic use and the return to the Orthodox faith. It is the third panel situated in the imperial enclosure of the upper galleries. It is widely considered the finest in Hagia Sophia, because of the softness of the features, the humane expressions and the tones of the mosaic.

The Comnenus mosaics, equally located on the eastern wall of the southern gallery, date from 1122. The Virgin Mary is standing in the middle, depicted, as usual in Byzantine art, in a dark blue gown. She holds the Child Christ on her lap. He gives His blessing with His right hand while holding a scroll in His left hand.

The Empress Zoe mosaics on the eastern wall of the southern gallery date from the 11th century. Christ Pantocrator, clad in the dark blue robe (as always the custom in Byzantine art), is seated in the middle against a golden background, giving His blessing with the right hand and holding the Bible in His left hand

Farewell to Turkey  We had a great time and learned alot