1- What does this image mean historically?
The Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century on the site of the Byzantium acropolis as the most heralding architectural, empirical, and spiritual endeavor of its time. Called the "Church of the Divine Wisdom," Istanbul's domed structure and vast interior is illuminated by a reverent light which shines through the windows aligning the construct's walls. Originally built to serve as the principal place of worship, as well as the greatest church in Christendom, its impressive stature and grandeur were nevertheless acknowledged and later taken over by the Ottomans after Mehmet the Conqueror claimed victory over the city in 1493. As the world's most impressive building, the Ayasofya was then converted from a place of Christian worship, into the most revered mosque in existence.
2- What does this image mean to you? Why did you choose it?
The striking image of the Hagia Sophia speaks to me in its palpable spiritual luminance. Although the building itself seems to scream of darkness and gloom, the light shining through its downcast windows brings a vibrant sense of the lively presence of the Holy Spirit. It is meaningful to me that this once holy place of Christian worship is now merely a museum, housing a history of the mosque's Islamic faith in its vast interior, covered with gold tones, Islamic calligraphy, and iconic ideology. I am moved by the image of light shining through a once apparently dark dome, as I begin to wonder what it would feel like to experience the Hagia Sophia in person, to stand at first in awe of its wondrous structure, but yet later to look up and be met with the awesome beams of light from above. I just view this image of the Holy Spirit as absolutely radiant.
3- Is the image true? Why or Why not?
The image itself is true of the character of the Spirit in all that it touches. At first glance, the dark shadows looming within the apparently dreary and downcast interior of the Hagia Sophia seem to suggest an almost deserted quality of the building. Yet, when I consider the truth in the image, I can personally sense the presence of Christian hope, promise, and light in the once seemingly lost darkness of the barren place of worship. What once looked so still and dead, now houses such palpable life.
The Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century on the site of the Byzantium acropolis as the most heralding architectural, empirical, and spiritual endeavor of its time. Called the "Church of the Divine Wisdom," Istanbul's domed structure and vast interior is illuminated by a reverent light which shines through the windows aligning the construct's walls. Originally built to serve as the principal place of worship, as well as the greatest church in Christendom, its impressive stature and grandeur were nevertheless acknowledged and later taken over by the Ottomans after Mehmet the Conqueror claimed victory over the city in 1493. As the world's most impressive building, the Ayasofya was then converted from a place of Christian worship, into the most revered mosque in existence.
2- What does this image mean to you? Why did you choose it?
The striking image of the Hagia Sophia speaks to me in its palpable spiritual luminance. Although the building itself seems to scream of darkness and gloom, the light shining through its downcast windows brings a vibrant sense of the lively presence of the Holy Spirit. It is meaningful to me that this once holy place of Christian worship is now merely a museum, housing a history of the mosque's Islamic faith in its vast interior, covered with gold tones, Islamic calligraphy, and iconic ideology. I am moved by the image of light shining through a once apparently dark dome, as I begin to wonder what it would feel like to experience the Hagia Sophia in person, to stand at first in awe of its wondrous structure, but yet later to look up and be met with the awesome beams of light from above. I just view this image of the Holy Spirit as absolutely radiant.
3- Is the image true? Why or Why not?
The image itself is true of the character of the Spirit in all that it touches. At first glance, the dark shadows looming within the apparently dreary and downcast interior of the Hagia Sophia seem to suggest an almost deserted quality of the building. Yet, when I consider the truth in the image, I can personally sense the presence of Christian hope, promise, and light in the once seemingly lost darkness of the barren place of worship. What once looked so still and dead, now houses such palpable life.
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