Ataturk put the beauty of the Hagia Sophia on exhibition for the world to see, but in 2020, Erdogan repurposed the space to display Islam. As a result, a visit hides multiple Christian sacred items once displayed for touring. This write-up will detail the hidden Christianity that the Hagia Sophia now shuns. In January 2024, the status and entrance of the site changed. Before, the balcony was off-limits, but now the ground floor and courtyard are no longer accessible through a normal entrance.
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Searching Below the Surface – Look at unexpected Islamic ideas.
In reading, Searching Below the Surface: A Deeper Look at Covenant and Contract, one expects simple answers to complex issues. However, exploring a much-needed contrast between how the God of the Bible functions in a covenant manner and the Islamic Allah in a contractual way will take the reader into a Scripture dig. The foundations help one to understand marriage as an outcome of these beliefs, leading each of us to discover why biblical marriage is a covenant, not contractual – like Islam.
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The Rest of the Story of the Nicene Church
In a recent article by Christianity Today, the lament of the disappearance of the church in Nicaea was mentioned, with possible reasons why there is no church there today. What is the story about the disappearance of the church in modern Iznik?[1]https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/05/nicene-church-disappeared-nicaea-iznik-turkey/
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| ↑1 | https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/05/nicene-church-disappeared-nicaea-iznik-turkey/ |
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Did the Green Mosque Complex Occupy a Nicene Monastery?
In 1391, the Yeşil Camii in Iznik (Green Mosque) was constructed, marking one of the earliest Ottoman structures that combines Seljuk and Ottoman influences. The building took seven years to complete and re-purposed a Byzantine monastery site—the area hints of a few Byzantine spolia. Let’s take a look.
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Investigating the Frescoes at the Hagia Sophia in Iznik
In 787, the Second Council of Nicaea convened, during which those gathered lifted the ban on icons. This council took place inside the Hagia Sophia Basilica in Nicaea, now called Iznik. From that time, multiple frescoes have been placed on the walls and vaulted areas of windows and domes.
Found in many mosaics, the repeated cross patterns often served as a substitute for images of saints. In this church, some of these divergent ideas merge. On my visit, I lamented the tour that I was on. The key speaker ignored these frescoes with only a sentence or two, focusing instead on unrelated stories. We were standing in the place where icons were debated and decided upon, and at least on a visit, I believe we should know what to look for. In my research on these frescoes, there is minimal written material available in English (or at least I have not found it yet).
I will let my pictures, accompanied by some descriptions, guide the way.
Floor Fresco – Deesis
North East Corner Frescoes
The ruinous state most likely was caused by multiple earthquakes in the 18th century, which led to the roof collapsing. The place sat open to the elements for about 200 years until the 2007 renovations. Surprisingly, we can see any frescoes at all today, but the archways protected them.
Mostly unnoticed by visitors is the carved “non-icon cross” in one of the stones on the northern aisle. This cross is similar to the mosaic one on the upper dome of St. Irene in Istanbul. The Iconoclasts preferred the cross to icons.
South East Corner Frescoes
On the upper rim, the former cross decorations are still visible. Much like the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, this basilica once displayed a multitude of cross patterns and great beauty.
Window Frescoes
Upper areas of the windows also display smaller frescoes of cross rosettes and other patterns. They were found upon entering, the first two windows on the north side (left side on entry) and the 4th and 5th windows on the south side.[1]See this article for pictures of these frescoes. https://www.academia.edu/42216123/N%C4%B0KAEA_%C4%B0ZN%C4%B0K_AYASOFYASI
Coronation Circles
The House of Laskaris (1204-1661 AD), which ruled the city of Nicaea, used these circles for imperial events. The cross-like fleur de lis symbol is evident near the central circle, an image that the House of Laskaris used as well as the double-headed eagle. Some claim they used this symbol on their coins, but I was unable to verify this with any online images.
Chapel Mosaics
On the south side of the building is a caged-in mosaic area from a later chapel. Unfortunately, the mosaics are not protected, and they cannot be viewed easily.
Outside Ruins
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul has multiple interesting items to explore. I have blogs and YouTube videos available.
The religious frescoes depicting the differences between Islam and Christianity can be found in “Searching Below the Surface.”
References
| ↑1 | See this article for pictures of these frescoes. https://www.academia.edu/42216123/N%C4%B0KAEA_%C4%B0ZN%C4%B0K_AYASOFYASI |
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Overview of the Sunken Basilica in Iznik
The sunken basilica in Iznik has recently been set up as a tourist site with an observation deck and a small museum. Here is what is available on a visit there.
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Byzantine History found in the Iznik Museums
In the city of Iznik (Nicaea), several museums are worth visiting, each showcasing some Byzantine history. Let’s take a look at what can be found in these Iznik Museums.
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Finding the 20 Byzantine Churches and Chapels of Nicaea
I heard one tour historian say there were at least 20 churches in this ancient city.[1] Let’s try to map them out. In my initial research, I found a dozen churches, but upon further investigation into the past, I believe I have identified 20 Byzantine sites within Iznik.
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