Saint Sophia Cathedral In Istanbul

Istanbul s iconic hagia sophia is to reopen for muslim worship as a mosque after an almost nine decade hiatus in the latest historic tussle with christianity over religious sites.
Saint sophia cathedral in istanbul. Built in 537 as the patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital of constantinople it remained the largest church of the eastern roman byzantine empire except from 1204 to 1261 when it was converted to a roman catholic cathedral. Four popes have visited the former cathedral. Yet 24 hours after its conversion to a mosque no major christian leader or scholar. An early july court hearing in turkey will likely declare that the hagia sophia in istanbul should.
Hagia sophia is the symbol of conquest said yunus genç who heads the istanbul branch of the anatolian youth association. John paul ii benedict xvi and francis i. This very temple served as a prototype for our own most sacred cathedral the saint sophia. In 1453 it was converted into an ottoman mosque upon the fall of the city.