The Mosaics of Hagia Sophia• Redaction criticism of Hagia’s mosaics: saving

higher critics everywhere from unemployment!

• Mosaics from Justinian’s reign (or lack thereof!)

• 9th century concepts, 6th century space

Virgin and ChildMosaic in the half-dome over the apse

Christ Adored by an EmperorMosaic over the central Imperial Door in the narthex

Enthroned Madonna with the Two Emperors, Constantine and Justinian

Mosaic over the south entrance to the narthex

δέησιςMosaic in the south gallery

From Church to Mosque and Mosque to Museum

• 1453: Islamic conquest; “Ayasofya”

• 1934: “A monument for all civilization”; or, at the very least, a tourist attraction!

Restoration?• Save Sophia!– Condition of building (hint: it’s not good!)

– A snag of seismic proportions…

• Ideological wars: a big mess (Christian vs. Muslim vs. Secularist)– Free Agia Sophia Council of America– Turkish prime minister (Recep Tayyip Erogan)– 2006: A friendly visit from the pope