Posted on 11/11/2008 7:22:25 AM PST by Teófilo
The year is AD 1453. The place is the Basilica of Holy Wisdom or Hagia Sophia, built by the Roman Emperor Justinian between AD 532 and 537. After the Muslims took possession of the basilica, they proceeded to do what they have always done when they take possession of principal Christian houses of worship: they removed the bells, altar, iconostasis, and sacrificial vessels and plastered over many of the mosaics. Hagia Sophia was made a mosque, and it remained as a mosque until 1935, when it was converted into a museum by the Republic of Turkey.
There was a silver lining to all this, for the fall of Constantinople was the last time Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Priests concelebrated the Eucharist together, despite 400 years of formal schism.
In this graphic we see a Latin Rite priest holding the chalice of the precious Blood of Christ in his left hand. Facing him, an Eastern priest holds the consecrated Bread of the Sacred Body. The gesture of his hand and the angle of his head suggest that he may hear something other than the sounds of terror around him. Is he perhaps just beginning to make the Sign of the Cross - the last time for many centuries within these sacred walls?
Thank you Mere Catholic Miscellany for finding and sharing this beautiful, poignant graphic.
PING!
There is a fresco of Theodora with a scroll in one hand and a sword in the other! She is known to have convinced Justinian to modify laws in favor of a woman's rights. When a riot broke out and Jusinian's generals suggested that Justinian, Theodora and the Courtiers leave the city Theodora picked up a sword and announced that she was ready to defend the throne and put down the insurrection. The generals were ashamed and took the offensive and put down the rebellion.
Other threads on Hagia Sophia:
Mystery under famous mosque [ Hagia Sophia basilica, in the former Constantinople ]
Edifice Complex [Istanbul's Hagia Sophia - "the noblest structure on Earth"]
On that night in May, 1453,the 29th, one of my ancestors fell on the walls at the side of the Emperor Constantine XI Paleologos whom he had served all his life. At about that time, much of the city’s population, Orthodox and Roman, including other members of my family had gathered for a Divine Liturgy at Agia Sophia. Once the walls were breached, the Mohammedan devil Turks swarmed through The City and into the church where slaughter and rape began. Two of the priests saying the Liturgy gathered up the by then consecrated gifts and disappeared into the back wall of the apse. When the worship of our Triune God is restored to Agia Sophia, they will return.
Yes, I recall the story. But this icon/engraving doesn’t depict that, does it?
Because if it does, then it is more eloquent than what I thought it to be.
Thank you for sharing.
-Theo
Great link..Thanks
That is so beautiful.
“But this icon/engraving doesn’t depict that, does it?”
Theo, I suspect that that is exactly what that engraving depicts. We know the final liturgy was celebrated by priests of both rites.
You beat me to it. I am listening to the series for the third time now. I am looking forward to his book, which I believe is supposed to be released next year.
Wow.
Awesome.
-Theo
It's a shame that there are some who don't remember this detail when bashing the other party, both Catholics and Orthodox.
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