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Πέμπτη 31 Μαΐου 2012
SAINT SOPHIA FRIGHTENS THE TURKS
by Niko Hilodakou,
Journalist-Author
Turkish Expert
From the moment that Constantinople fell to the Ottomans
and Mohammad Fattish entered the great Church of Saint Sophia on his white
stallion, he remained transfixed for a long time by the icon of Christ in the
dome. This is according to Turkish
sources. This immense Church of Orthodoxy became the epicenter of different
myths and legends which circulate amongst the conquerors eliciting an intense
sense of awe for this great accomplishment of Orthodoxy which now is surrounded
by four Ottoman minarets.
But during the last few years, certain events centered around
Saint Sophia and specifically with the unexpected discovery of an Angel in the
summer of 2008 in the dome, has elicited amongst the Turks an intense sense of
suspense and fear about the future. In
connection with this, all those legends have resurfaced recently and at times
have shocked and brought to the Muslims a sense of fear. This fear is that the Orthodox
Christian identity will once again rise up in spite of the fact that up until
1934 the Church was used as a Muslim mosque.
In this context of events, last January 20, 2012, the
Turkish newspaper Sampach with a large circulation, presented a rather
astonishing article about “The Mysteries of Saint Sophia.” It portrayed in a
graceful way this climate of fear which has lately gripped the Turks in
reference to the hidden things in the Holy Church and about all the things that
will happen in the future.
The
first significant element taken from that article is the indescribable fear
which is revealed by the Turks concerning the hidden crosses, both symbolical
and not, which are found on the interior of the Church and are also seen by the
ground plan of the Church from above. As
such, the Turks express great awe for the so-called “Cross of the Apostle Saint
Andrew.” As is well known he is the founder of the Church of Constantinople. According to the newspaper Sampach, a Cross
of Saint Andrew is found on the roof of the Church etched in a diagonal
form. It is a significant symbol which
not only was not lost throughout the ages of the Ottoman occupation but also
dominates the area with its symbolic meaning.
In addition to this, “The Cross of Justinian” freaks out the Turks .The
legends as well refer to a very ancient jewel which is found mystically in
Saint Sophia and in fact comes from Egypt and it has great power. Generally speaking, the construction of this
Great Orthodox Architectural Masterpiece, according to the same Turkish
sources,, is based on the Christian symbol of the Cross and this reality generates
a sense of awe and fear about the future return of Saint Sophia to its traditional
occupants, in other words, to Hellenic Orthodox worship.
But in addition to the crosses, the Turks refer to other
mysterious and fearful things that are found in the interior of the
Church. As is referred to in the legend,
it is known that after the Church was turned into a Muslim mosque, the
well-known Muslim Mihramp was built. It
is the Muslim place of prayer. It is found on the eastern side of the Church in
the direction of Mecca. But great
interest is found, according to the Turkish legends, to that which in front of
the Mihramp. A casket is buried there constructed of bronze gilded with gold. In this casket lays the body of Queen
Sophia. Most likely her name is in
reference to Saint Sophia. This Queen
Sophia and her casket are connected, according to Turkish legend with a
commandment that has existed for centuries up to the present day. This commandment directs that no one should ever
disturb the casket, not even to touch it.
If something like that should happen, then according to the legend it
will initiate the rising of Queen Sophia.
If this should happen then a frightful noise shall shake the whole
structure of the Church initiating eschatological seismic events that will
frighten the Turks.
This legend of Queen Sophia continues as follows. According to Turkish references, the casket
is protected by four Archangels who are found on the dome of the Church. These Archangels, who the Turks believe
exist, are: Tzemprael, Michael, Israfel and Azarael. The Turks say that Tzemprael protects the
Byzantine Emperors, Michael protects the Church from hostile attacks, while
Tzemprael and Israfel were those who
proclaimed the events leading to hostile attacks. Tzemprael and Israfel were the angels that
proclaimed the events of the warring efforts of the Byzantine Emperors. And these four Archangels have been assigned
after the Fall of Constantinople to protect the casket of Queen Sophia from the
danger of someone profane who might try to open it and bring about the Second
Coming of Christ.
Another important legend which is referred to by the
Muslims is the legend “Of the Hidden Patriarch” which is similar to the Greek
legend about the “hidden priest.” As it
is referred in Turkish tradition, on the south side of the Church is a narrow
passage way. The passage way leads to a very old web covered mysterious door
which is referred to in the legend as “The Closed Door.” According to Turkish references, when
Mohammed Fattish entered Constantinople, the last Greek Orthodox Patriarch and
his whole escort entered through that door which closed behind them. From that moment these people disappeared
while the door remained hermetically sealed and no one ever dares to open
it. Every year during the Resurrection
Service of the Orthodox Christians according to the Turkish newspaper Sampach, red
eggs appear in front of this door. The
legend is completed in prophecy, which frightens the Turks, that when the door
is opened, Orthodox Christian chanting will be heard in the Church again. This is why the Turks are frightened simply
by thinking about opening this mysterious door.
The Turkish newspaper reports about a mysterious
underground tunnel that exists in a central location in the interior of the
Church. As is reported, there is a
double door which leads to a big tunnel.
This tunnel, as reported by the Turkish newspaper, leads to Prinkoniso,
and as far as the island Proti. The mystery for the Turks is how this tunnel
was constructed and what role did it play in the long history of the Church.
Another mystery for the Turks is the imprint of the sole
of a large animal, maybe an elephant, which is found on the southwestern section
of the dome. And here it is reported
that this is in reference to some eschatological stories. According to the
Turks this imprint is from the horse of Mohammed the Conqueror. But the question is how the horse was able to
step upon a place that is so high on the dome.
Great awe is elicited among the Turks, as referred to by
the newspaper Sampach, by the various mosaics which have been uncovered with
all their glory during the last ten years in the Church of Saint Sophia. This is in spite of the fact that the Muslim
faith considers it a sin to create images of people who are related to
religious events. They feel special awe
about the mosaic which depicts Jesus with the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist
on the right and left of Him. The Turks
have named them “The Mosaic of the Apocalypse.” And its symbolism opens up to
us its eschatological meaning which is very intense with the Muslim Turks.
Specific attention is made about the mosaic which depicts
known Byzantine Emperors such as John Komnenos with Jesus Christ and the Emperor
Constantine Monomachos with the Empress Zoe.
All of these depictions elicit intense awe about this Greek Orthodox
Christian majesty and the inner strength which emerge from these mosaics. They have generated different legends about
their eschatological symbolism. These
symbolisms are related to the Turkish phobias about the reestablishment and authority
of the Holy Eastern Roman Empire with the blessing of Jesus Christ.
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