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Hagia Sophia

 I confess that when the church I attend announced a trip to Turkey, my first thought was "I will get to see the Hagia Sophia." Well, maybe the second thought. The Church of Divine or Holy Wisdom was built in the 6th century during the Byzantine Empire and is a marvel of engineering and intensely beautiful. Or was, and I think what exists proves that, despite the Islamic attempts to claim it for itself.

It is a mosque now, after being a church, a mosque, a museum, and now again a working mosque. We were not allowed to be on the floor of the cathedral, which was a disappointment. Over the years some of the mosaics have been covered over because they are Christian and figurative, which is forbidden in Islamic decoration. But some remain. We had to be covered but could wear our shoes. It was very crowded that day. I do not believe in bucket lists (an odd idea for me), but it was a lifelong desire to see it. 


































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