Man Tries to Set Fire at Hagia Sophia in Turkey

Greek Reporter ^ | August 6, 2025 | Nisha Zahid

[SunkenCiv]

• Wait, Is That a Kaaba at Ground Zero? [08/05/2025]

[Terry L Smith]

Of course, the man was a Shriner with hat, right?

[MikelTackNailer]

His vehicle was blocked in so there was no chance he was getting away.

[higgmeister]

Now that was funny.   My Father-in-law was a Shriner.

But that's something that I never understood.   My Dad was a Mason too, and neither of them ever talked to me about becoming a Freemason.

[TheConservator]

I have been re-reading Ostrogorsky’s History of the Byzantine State. Its conquest by the Turks was one of the great tragedies of human history.

[cuz1961]

The man tried to ignite the Bible behind the lectern

/

A Bible in the world’s largest MOSQUE ?

Surrrrre there was.

How stupid and gullible do they think we are ?

[high info voter]

Return to real justice ...... FIRING SQUAD!

[lightman]

I am pleasantly shocked to learn that there is still a Bible in Hagia Sophia!

Since it is now a mosgue...might it have been a Koran?

[lightman]

Orthodox Ping!

Save Thy people, O Lord,
and bless Thine inheritance.
Grant victory to Thy Church over her enemies,
and protect Thy people by Thy Holy Cross!

[wrcase]

I’m surprised the media didn’t focus on the red hat and apply Zapruder-like analysis to see if they could blame Trump.

[Jolla]

One of the most beautiful buildings I have ever scene. Look forward to visiting Istanbul again, one of my favorite cities, don’t miss the Turkish bath which is nearby or the Grand Bazaar.

[Tom Tetroxide]

2B1ASK1

[SunkenCiv]

Selections from the mosaic/mosaics keywords, sorted:

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• Mosaic With Cross, Star of David and Ancient Greek Inscription Unearthed in Turkey [08/03/2025]
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• Earliest 'Jesus is God' inscription found -- deemed 'greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls' [11/20/2024]
• 'Unique' Gold Artifact Discovered at Roman Fort Hints at Lost Temple [11/02/2024]
• Archaeologists Discovered a Luxury Roman Village in Southeastern Sicily [10/21/2024]
• Mosaic Floor Featuring Satyrs Uncovered on Greek Island [08/09/2024]
• Opulent Roman Floor Uncovered in the Gulf of Naples [07/30/2024]
• This 2,300-year-old mosaic made of shells and coral has just been found buried under Rome [12/21/2023]
• Ancient Roman Mosaic Reveals Women Wore Bikini [09/09/2023]
• Ancient Christian Mosaic May Be Loaned to Museum of the Bible, Causing Concern for Archaeologists [08/17/2023]
• Detailed mosaic floor -- with Medusa's face -- unearthed in ancient Roman villa [07/30/2023]
• Archaeologists Uncover Early Christian Church With Ornate Mosaic in Jericho [01/16/2023]
• New Inscriptions in Roman City in Israel Shed Personal Light on Early Christians [11/27/2022]
• Archaeologists Discover New Ancient Mosaics on the Shore of the Sea of Galilee [Khirbat al-Minya] [10/23/2022]
• Roman mosaic at Folkestone, Kent [09/25/2022]
• Farmer finds rare ancient treasure in Gaza while planting an olive tree -- but discovery may be in "immediate danger" [09/18/2022]
• Floors in ancient Greek luxury villa were laid with recycled glass [08/02/2022]
• Man in Rutland, UK, Stumbles on 1,700-Year-Old Roman Mosaic of Achilles and Ancient Villa in Farmer's Field [01/03/2022]
• 1,500-year-old Roman mosaic depicting battle from Homer's Iliad that was found by chance in a farmer's field is revealed to be the FIRST of its kind in UK [11/24/2021]
• High Desert Man Charged with Unlawfully Importing Ancient Mosaic [07/24/2020]
• Hagia Sophia mosaics will be covered with curtains during prayers: Turkish presidential spokesman [07/19/2020]
• The American Who Restored the Priceless Mosaics of Hagia Sophia [07/18/2020]
• Villa Romana del Casale, Sicily, Italy in 4K (UHD) HDR [07/05/2020]
• Archaeologists unearth Galilee Christian town sacked by Persians in 7th century [Pi Mazuva] [06/22/2020]
• Historically Responsible Decision of the Day: the Antakya Museum-Hotel [03/09/2020]
• Incredibly rare Roman mosaic depicting a mythical chariot race for a Greek princess [09/02/2019]
• US returns ancient Roman "gypsy girl" Zeugma mosaic to Turkey [11/26/2018]
• Rare Noah's Ark Mosaic Uncovered in Ancient Synagogue in Israel [07/11/2016]
• Italians Restore 900-Year-Old Mosaics at Bethlehem Church [07/10/2016]
• Roman Mosaic Conserved [09/04/2015]
• Tunis museum attack: 19 people killed after hostage drama at tourist site [03/18/2015]
• Predators and Prey: A Roman Mosaic from Lod, Israel [04/16/2014]
• Mozilla clarifies, defends Firefox ad position [02/17/2014]
• Stunning Byzantine Mosaic Uncovered in Israel [05/13/2013]
• Italian bishops launch TV program on stunning cathedral [04/19/2013]
• Vandals cause 'irreparable damage' to 1,600-year-old mosaics in Tiberias synagogue [06/05/2012]
• HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIKINI: 65 Years In The Life Of The Two-Piece [07/07/2011]
• Under the Influence: Hellenism in ancient Jewish life [02/07/2010]
• Ancient Artisans' Footprints Discovered Beneath Lod Mosaic [10/14/2009]
• Footprints found under ancient mosaic [10/14/2009]
• 1,700 year old Footprints of the Builders of the Lod Mosaic Exposed [10/14/2009]
• Roman mosaics found on Quantocks [10/05/2006]
• Ancient Synagogue Discovered in Ramallah Area [02/07/2006]
• Rescuing a Roman Mosaic [01/22/2006]
• Unearthing the Treasures of the Mediterranean [07/09/2005]
• `Impressive' villa mosaic unearthed near Caesarea [04/18/2005]
• Tiberias Dig Unearths Very Rare Marble Floor [04/08/2005]
• Potholers Discover Ancient Roman Mosaic [01/18/2005]

[mfish13]

He wore a red hat. Did it say MAGA on it?

[fidelis]

I am pleasantly shocked to learn that there is still a Bible in Hagia Sophia! Since it is now a mosgue...might it have been a Koran?

Since the article doesn't make it perfectly clear where the Bible came from, maybe he brought his own.

[Mastador1]

They should do to him the same thing as to someone who broke into a mosque and lit a Koran on fire, but they won’t this guy will be celebrated instead.

[NorthMountain]

Hagia Sophia is neither a mosque nor a cathedral. It is a museum maintained by the Turkish government; its displays highlight prior use by both Christians and mohammedans.

[MikelTackNailer]

In 2020 the Turkish government (Erdogan) officially made it a mosque again despite several preservation groups’ objections.

He needs dethroning like Assad but, unlike Syria, Turk-eye-ay is about 99.5% Muslim. It is the enemy camp amidst NATO.

[Honorary Serb]

Lord have Mercy!

May the Hagia Sophia become a Church again!