Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1877-12-14
The Great Church Ut Constantinoplc.

There is II belief Of long standing
among the Greeks Of Constnntlnoplc
Tint the church of Sancta Sophia, now
mosque, shall hc restored to Christi
anity. This grand building, which
covers about 10000 spare feet moro
than one and n-half acres MAS erected
by ,Ju,tnian IN the sixth century, II
wns eight years III building and when
1T last il stood complete, il appeared SO
marvellous in the eyes Of all who look
"a on il that it was generally believed
not only that IN angel bad given the
plan, but that heaven had rincd gold
and gems for the express purpose Of It's
construction. The noblest temples Of
Greece and Asia were dospoilcd, and
pillars Of the most precious marbles
were brought TO Constantinoplc. Epho-
sus, pcrgamus, Bnnlbcc gave up their
treasures; and masses of Egyptian por-
phry and Of syenite which centuries
before Ind been hewn for the honor Of
Xenus and Artcmis, took their pla, os III
the great Christian church. 1t was
the bonst of Justnian that he had en-
ccllcd the temple Of Jerusalem. II
have surpassed thee, q, Solomon, he
exclaimed, rs he gazcd on the complct-
ed building, and it is said that he
caused IL statue ofSolomon to bc erected
opposite the church, with sad cx
preston us though growing ut the vast
'ize and beauty of lustininn's work.
Earthquakes shook the church within
few days of It's completion. The
great dome fell and was restored by IL
younger lsidoras, nephew of the me
Vhanician. Repairs were made 10 the
fabric by successive cmpcrors; but the
design WAS never altered, and there
were no additions Then came the
fatal May of 1853 AZ the high alter
of st. sophia, Constantine received the
molly sacrament during the night before
the grand assault MAY 29), III which h.
fell As the ncws spread that the Mo
hnmmcdans had made their way into
The city, the old awe and vcnemtion
which had spread " sort Of mystery
around Sc. Sophia returned Senators,
priests, monks and nuns FASTENED TO
take refuge within its walls, recalling m
ancient tradition that M angel would
descend 1T the moment when the in
idcls were advancing toward the col
Alllll W NoiSNllltlllt Nllt 6iVhl, NH',
putting sword into tho hand of Y GER
Min man who would 10 sitting III the
fesc Of the column would ordcr him
to nvcngc the people Of God, whcrcup-
on the Turks, seized with u panic, would
take flight to the borders Of Persia. But
no such heavenly aid came to the 20
600 people who crowded st. Sophia.
Mahomet on entering the city rode
straight 10 the great church. Men W.
men and children were divided among
tile soldiers is slaves, and I'LL the furni-
turc, plate and ornaments disappeared
80 quickly that. i'll the words Of Finlay
the mighty temple soon presented Y
few traces of having been Christian
church. Mahomet himself WAS, il is
said, greatly impressed with the rieh
marbles and the general splcndor Of thu
place. He caused the mue11lns VIII,
were with him 70 summon the troop
10 prayer; and his own prayer earpc
was spread on the high alter Their,
the Son Of lniquity,' rs the Christian
Ducas calls him, announced that I'll,
orthodox Greek empire was extinct, ant
from that time the church Of Jnstinial
has served rs tie chief mosque Of TIL