New-York tribune., 1877-10-27
THE MOSLEM TEMPLE
THE GREAT CHURCH AT cONsTANrNOPLE

THE GREAT CHURCH AT CONsTANTiNOPLE.
There is a belief of lOng-standng among the
GREEKS OF COnsautinople that the Church Of Sancta
sophia--now mosque-shall be restored to Christianity
Ihi, grand building which covers about 10000 square
feet-more than one and half acres-was erected by
Justnian In the sixth century IL was eight years III
budg and when last 1t stood complete IL appeared
40 marvellous in the eyes OF all who looked on II that it
was generally believed not only that angel had gwen
the pan but that Heaven had raned gold ana gems or
the express purpose OF its construction Inc
pobest temples of Greece aud Asia were despoiled'
and pillars of the most precious marDies were
brought to Constantinople Ephess, Pergamus BaaDec
gave up their treasures; ami masses Oh Es!Pu poi
phry and of syenite which centuries oeioio hd peei
hewn for the honor of zeus and Of Arems took their
places in the great Christian church ~ was te oOass
OF Justnlan that he had eXceiei Ihe Z iv m - 81 1 ,,
lem 81 have surpassed thee solomon ne eNcitiineu
as he gQzed the Completed DulhE, anu 4. 'il "a.
he caused statue OF solomon TO De erected "plose Tue
church. "with sad expression as tlouEh EIicNhs d
the Vast size and beauty OF Justin.an's work. =.
tlo Naat SiA So,, tho church within "A few years Of
its couinetion The great dome fell and was restored
by n Younger lsidorIs nephew OF tbe 'inecnanclan''
Repairs were made 10 tlc iahIlv uS W. - "a
tious Then came the fatal May Ot lio Al he high al
~, - Sonbn Constantine received the Holy Sacra.
ment durng night before tne great assault Nlay 9
i'm which he ftll. As the news spread that the MO-
,t,",ncd,ns mad made their way into the city, the
oId awe and yeneratiOn which had spread
sOt. % W monks and nuns hastened TO take refuge
WITHIN It's walls recalling an ancient tradition tha, an
aegei would descend at the moment when the rldels
we're advancing toward the column OF constantine
the Great and putting sword mo the hai1 oi
n CERTAIN man who would be sitting at the base Of the
column would order him to ayenso tne people OF uo1
whereupon the Turks, seized with u panic would
take dight 90 the borders OF Persia. But no
such heavenly aid came 10 the twenty thOu
sand people who crowded ST. sophia. Mah0mst
on enteriu the city straight 20 the great church
Men women and children were divided among the
soldiers as slaves; and all the furniture, plhIe ana
ornaments disappeared quickly that IN the words
OF Fnlay, the mighty temple soon presented rev taers
OF having been "a Christian chuTen" MahOulet hiM-
sof was IL Is said greatly impressed Will Ihe rch mar
niles and the general spendcr Of the place lie caused
tle nuezzns who were him tO summon the troops
10 rayer and his prayer carpet wHs spread on the
hb altar There tho Of lniquity, the Christian
Dncas calls him, announced that the orthodox Greek
EmDlre was extinct and from that time the church
of Jusnian has served the chief mosque OF the city.
The various Christian emblems were covered with pas
ter aud thin coats OF paint ana mosaics. which could
have offended afterwards treated III siiDi
lar fashion Large and heavy exterior buttresses
dered necessary Is asserted, by the shock Of earth
auakes were added by selim ii and AnuIath III but
What mi ght be considered fortunate neglect more
or less the fate OF st. sophia until lS47. whom II WAS
placed In repair by the Itan architect Foseat at the
Instance of the sultan Abdul Melid Hs work las ed
through years, aud completed under great DIM
cultes Only tho loa OF Rrschid PGsha u said, en-.
abled him bglnl II 10 u successful epd.