Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-11-08
The Moslem Temple.

There is q belief of long standing
among the Greeks of Cons antinople
that be church of Sancta Sophia
now mosque-shalI be restored to
| Christianity. This grand building
which covers about 10000 square
feet-more than one and half acres
was erected by Justinian, in the
sixth century. 1t was eight years
10 building, and when at last it stood
complete, il appeared so marvellous
in the eyes of all who looked on il
that it Was generally believed not
only that an angel had given the
plan, but that heaven had rained
gold and gems for the ex-
press purpose Of its construction
The noblest temples Of Greece and
Asia were despoiIed, and pillars oil
the most precious marbles were
brought to Constantinople, Ephesus,
Pergamus, Baalbec gave up their
treasures, and masses of Egyptian
porphry and ofsyenite, which cen
turtles before had been hewn for the
honor of Zeus and of Artemns, took
their places in the great Christian
Church. 1t was the boast of Justin
ian that he had excelled the temple
at Jerusalem. II have surpassed
thee, o Solomon" he exclaimed as
be gazed on the completed building
and it is said that he caused stat
ute of Solomon to be erected oppos-
tie the church, with sad express
ion, as though grieving at the vast
size and beauty of Justinian's work"
Earthquakes shook the church with
in few years of it's completion. The
great dome fell and was restored by
younger Isidorus, nephew OF the
"mechanician." Repairs were made
to the fabric by successive Emper-
ors but the design was never alter
ed, and there were no additions.
Then came the fatal May of 1853.
At the high alter of St. Sophia Con-
stantine received the Holy Sacra.
ment during the night before the
great assault, May 20, in which he
fell. As the news spread that the
Mohammedians had made their way
into the city, the old awe and veneer
alton which had spread sort of
mystery around St. Sophia returned.
Senator'S, priests, monks and nuns
fastened to take refuge within its
walls, recalling an ancient tradi-
tion that an angel would descend at
the moment when the infdels were
advancing toward the column of
Constantine the Great, and putting
a sword into the hand of certain
man who would be setting au the
base of the column, would order him
to avenge the people of God ; where
upon the Turks, seized with q panic
would take flight to the borders of
Persia. But no such heavenly aid
came to the 10000 people who
crowded ST. Sophia. Mahomet, on
entering the city, rode straight to
the great church. Men women and
children were divided among the
soldiers as slaves; and all the furn-
iture, plate and ornaments disap-
peared SO quickly that, in the words
of Finlay, tine mighty temple soon
presented few traces of having been
d christian church" Mahomet him.
self was, it is said, greatly impress
ed with the rich marbles and the
general splendor of The place. He
caused the mueZzins who we're with
him to summon the troops to pray
err and his own prayer carpet was
spread on the high altar. There the
"Son of iniquity," as the christian
Ducas calls him, announced that the
orthordox Greek Empire was ex-
tinot; and from that time the church
of Justinian has served as the chief
mosque of the city. The various
Christian emblems we've covered
with plaster and thin coats of paint
and mosaics, which could have of
Tended no one, were afterwards
treated in a similar fashion. Large
and heavy exterior buttresses, rem
dered necessary, it is asserted, by
the shock OF earthquakes were ad-
ded by Selim Ii. and Amurath ILL.,,
but what might be considered for.
Iunate neglec:'was more or less the
'ate OF ST. Sophia, until 1917, when
t was placed in repair by the Ital-
IN architect Foscati, at the instance
If the Sultan Abdul Mejid. His work
asted through two years and was
under great difficulties.
Only the zeal Of R3schid Pasha, it is
aid enabled him 10 bring it to sue
,essful end.