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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Historic Evidence Why the Magi – Wise Men were Zoroastrian Priest.
Where were the Magi from, and were they attached to the Persian religion of Zoroastrianism? There are key insights that indicate a high probability that they were religious leaders of this Persian religion. Let’s look into who the Magi – Wise Men were.
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Is the Nicene Creed Dead in Modern Iznik? The Surprising Truth Today
The fourth century purposely gathered the religious leaders of the day to clearly define what the Bible says about the most essential teachings. So what about today? We have explored all the remains of the 20 churches that once stood in ancient Nicaea, but how does the Nicene Creed challenge Iznik today? The city hosted the council; what would people say about the creed’s beliefs today?
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Byzantine Finds outside of the city of Nicaea – Iznik
Many archaeological digs continue to reveal beautiful finds, such as the fresco of Jesus the Good Shepherd in Iznik. Some key and extraordinary archaeological finds have been found outside the ancient walls of Nicaea (Iznik) in Türkiye. Let’s consider what they are, and if you visit them, you’ll most likely need extra time to find them.
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More Than a Moment — Our Civilizational Calling
“Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do—200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.” 1 Chronicles 12:32 (ESV) Like this verse, how can we know what to do in our spiritual civilizational moments?
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Jvaris Mama Church with its Armenian and Georgian Churches
In the walled area of the Jvaris Mama complex sits two churches that source in two different orthodox churches. The Jvaris Mama is Georgian while the St. Mary Church is Armenian. The Georgian is active while the Armenian building sits as a hollow shell reserved for pigeons. Let’s explore this monastery complex.
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The Oldest 5th-6th Century Churches in Tbilisi, Georgia
Visiting the capital city, Tbilisi, where all the churches seem to look alike, which ones are the oldest churches in Tbilisi? Here is a list of the oldest churches (considering when first built) that will provide insight into how the Georgian Orthodox church has remained the religious center for over 1,500 years.
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