Duration
4 hours 30 minutes
Age
0+
Group size
1-10
Transport
On foot
Language
English
About this experience
Modern Istanbul was born from Constantinople - a great city of Orthodoxy. And still to this day it remains a place of attraction for believers, as it preserves key Orthodox shrines. We will visit the most famous of them. We will remember the history of the emergence and spread of Christianity in Constantinople. And we will discuss how things are going with Orthodox Istanbul now.
What to expect
- Hagia Sophia Cathedral - former patriarchal. For over 1000 years it remained the largest temple of the Christian world - until the construction of St. Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican. You will learn the history of the transformation of the temple into the Muslim mosque Ayasofya and, if desired, will go inside.
- The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Constantinople Orthodox Church). Turkey is a Muslim country, but it is here where the spiritual center of world Orthodoxy is located. I will tell you how this happened, and show the main relics of the Constantinople Patriarchate - the relics of the saints Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom, and Basil the Great, as well as a part of the column on which, according to legend, Jesus was scourged.
- The Church of St. Mary of Vlaherna - an important Christian shrine. In honor of the appearance in this church of the Mother of God, the Orthodox Church established the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos. In ancient times, the temple attracted many pilgrims. I will tell you about the relics it held - including the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, which is now in the museum collection of the Kremlin.
Organizational Details
We will view the Ayasofya Mosque from the outside. If you want to go inside, the entrance fee is paid separately - 25€ per person. Children under 8 years old - free of charge.
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