The
Greek-Orthodox Temple of Agia Sofia - Constantinoupolis
 |
The Holy Temple of Agia Sofia was built during
the period when emperor of the Byzantine Empire was Justinian the Great.
Is one of the biggest temple constructed ever after the temple of Solomon
in Jerusalem. Sofia is the Greek word for Wisdom. So the Temple
is dedicated to the Holy Wisdom of God. It is an enormous and magnificent
structure with an extremely large dome which dominates the exterior of
the building. The Architectural style of this Byzantine Temple is
domed basilica. Its architects were Anthemius from Tralles and Isidorus
from Miletus. |
The Interior construction of the Temple
A huge narthex with many entrances is leading us into the center of
the Temple. As we enter the main body of the Church, we are confronted
by the impressive height and wideness of the dome, which is full of small
arched windows. All the windows are around its base which in turn
provide a halo of light giving the impression that we entered the Heavens.
The dome rests on four pendentives and is then supported by four basic
piers on each corner. It is also supported by two half domes on either
side. The whole plan becomes a combination of longitudinal and central
plans.
The Pendentive structure is a dynamic system because it offers a solution
to the problem of setting the dome over a square or rectangular space,
making a basilica structure possible.
Important points of St. Sofias Structure
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The dome rests on four pendentives
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Four large arches are created. Their planes are bound in a square
supporting the dome
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The weight of the dome is transferred by the pendentives to the piers
(rather than to the wall itself).
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The above help in creating an unobstructed interior space.
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40 windows at the base of the dome create a peculiar illusion that the
dome , which symbolizes the Heaven, is resting on the light that floods
through them.
Today the Holy Temple
of Agia Sofia - a unique piece of Art - is under Turkish Rule. Turkey
respect NOTHING. They destroyed the inside magnificent Byzantine
icons which used to decorate the Temple. But not only that... they transformed
the Holy Christian Temple into a mosque for a certain period. Now they
use it as a museum. This is Turkey
- completely ignorant, knowing and understanding nothing of the values
that this Temple represents to the World's culture and the Christian Faith.
* * * VISIT
THE TURKISH CRIMES OF THE CENTURY SITE * * *
