Day 19

Bob’s Sabbatical

Day 19, September 18, 2009

 

            Today is
our last day on the “Paul and the Early Church” course. It is hard to believe
that we are finished already.  My head is
spinning.  I will have to go back and
read my notes several times over to get things in order.

            We are
within walking distance of the Church of Hagia Sophia (now a museum) and the
Blue Mosque, so we set out after breakfast. 
Both places are packed with tourists, and the town continues to be in a
state of constant gridlock, from what I can tell.

            Hagia
Sophia is the third building on this spot. 
Constantine’s son built the first, 
which was badly damaged in riots caused by John Chrysostom’s
preaching.  The second was also damaged
and destroyed.  The current building was
finished in 537.  Justinian was driven to
outdo Constantine, and succeeded.  He is
quoted as saying about this church, “Solomon, I have outdone you.”  It was the culmination of Paul’s efforts, the
efforts of those who followed him, Constantine and others.  It hosted the 2^nd and 3^rd
Ecumenical Councils of Constantinople. It is where Pope Leo’s emissaries
excommunicated the Eastern Orthodox in the middle of a liturgy in 1054,
bringing about the break between Eastern and Western Christianity that
continues today.  It was looted by
Crusaders in 1203, made into a Mosque in 1453 (note the large round signs), and
turned into a museum in 1935 to keep the Christians and Muslims from fighting
over it.

            The dome
is one of the largest in the world (higher than the bridge we drove over
yesterday), and Emperors have been anointed there.  On the second floor is the Womens’ Loge where
Theodora watched the liturgy, as well as many women after her.  The final mosaic is near the exit and depicts
Jesus flanked by Constantine and Justinian. 
Constantine is on the right, presenting Jesus with a model of the new
city, Constantinople.  On the left,
Justinian is presenting Jesus with a model of the new Church, Hagia Sophia.

            The Blue
Mosque, still functions as a place of worship. 
The name comes from the tiles which came from the area of Nicea, and are
mostly blue.  It has 6 minarets, as does
the Mosque in Mecca (they are the only two).

            Next to
the Blue Mosque is a long, mostly open space called the Hippodrome.  The obelisk that looks rather modern is
actually from 1600 B.C.  It has long been
a place of entertainment – chariot races, parties, dancing (Theodora is said to
have danced on stage here).

            After
lunch, I went for a walk.  Made it to the
Grand Bazaar, which is just what it is. 
Streets with shops (some very high-end carpet, clothing and jewelry), as
well as booths, food, etc.  It was
packed.  We meet for our closing
Eucharist at 5:45, then dinner.  About
half our group has to leave at 3::00am tomorrow to get to the airport.  I don’t have to leave until 7:30am."

            I will
be meeting Susan, Christopher and Sarah who leave today to join me in Budapest,
where Huba Nagy’s cousin will show us the sights.  This course has been a great experience, and I
look forward to sharing it with you in the weeks, months and years to
come.  A Priest from New Zealand who is
about my age commented, I wish for my sake and my congregation that I had done
this years ago.  I could not agree more.  I cannot thank our staff, vestry, and so many
people who have made this possible for me, and for what it will mean for all of us down the way.

Peace,

  Bob