I’ve been in this awesome building - both it and the Blue Mosque - two of the most amazing buildings on earth - both still standing after hundreds of earthquakes over more than 1500 years.
When Constantine (supposedly) became a Christian, and declared the whole empire Christian (right.....), he converted all pagan temples to “Christian” churches - but Hagia Sophia was the first building designed and built to be a Christian Church building.
I’ll never forget when our guide pointed out 6 marble pillars supporting the building - Constantine had them brought from Ephesus from the Temple of Diana/Artimis.
How appropriate. The first Christian church building was supported by pagan pillars.
As is every church building built since.......IMHO.....the early church met in homes or other secular structures (”school of Tyranus”).
Constantine also imported many other pagan practices (so the populace would accept his “Christianity” and still have what they had in their pagan religions) that remain in much of Christendom today.......the list is long.
When touring Ephesus, our Muslim guide said, “I hope I don’t offend you who are Christians [Muslims in the east only know Christians as being Orthodox or Catholic] - but the worship of Mary was just an import of the worship of Diana/Artimis.....” - Mary purportedly spent her last years in Ephesus under the care of the apostle John.
No offense intended for my Catholic brethren whom I love....
It won’t be long till we’re all worshiping in homes . . . or catacombs.
Well I am not surprised by the remarks about the mother of Jesus. Saw pictures of Mary’s house online.