Glimpses of Christian History Presents Factoid #8: Hagia Sophia Exterior © 2007

verlooking Europe and Asia, the jewel of Byzantium, Hagia Sofia (church of "Holy Wisdom") in Istanbul, then called Constantinople. This magnificent monument of Eastern Christendom was taken over by the Moslems in 1453. Today it is a museum, where reportedly it is illegal to pray.

When dedicated in 538 Justinian raised hands to heaven and exclaimed, "Glory to God who has judged me worthy of accomplishing such a work as this! O Solomon, I have outdone you."