Consider this humble church a beacon of faith right under the Acropolis. It is on Areopagitou Street. We are standing before Agia Sophia. This Agia Sophia belongs to Meropeion Old People’s Home. Yet its doors are open to all.
Agia Sophia means Holy Wisdom in Greek. In Orthodox theology Holy Wisdom represents Jesus Christ. He is seen as the Divine Logos incarnate. Humility is very important. Eastern Orthodoxy considers humility the highest wisdom. It is valued more than knowledge. Humility cultivates Holy Wisdom. It grants salvation and entrance into Heaven.
The Agia Sophia in Constantinople was the center of the Eastern Orthodox Church. It held this position for almost a thousand years. In Orthodox Divine Liturgy the deacon proclaims “Sophia” This exclamation draws attention to sacred teaching. It happens especially before scripture readings.
Saint Sophia was a martyr who died in AD 137. The Orthodox Church remembers her on September 17th. Sophia was born in Italy. She had three daughters Faith Hope and Charity. They were named after virtues mentioned by Saint Paul. Emperor Hadrian martyred Sophia’s daughters. Guards tortured them trying to make Sophia renounce Christ. Sophia buried her daughters. She stayed by their graves for three days. Then Sophia herself died.
The original Agia Sophia inspires countless imitations. The most famous Agia Sophia is in Istanbul. It was the great church of Constantinople. The church served as the Orthodox cathedral. This lasted from 360 to 1453. There was an interruption from 1204 to 1261. During that time it became a Roman Catholic church. It later became a mosque. It is now a museum since 1934.
The construction of the original Agia Sophia began under Emperor Constantine. This was around 330 AD. The church in Constantinople became the model for Byzantine churches. The inauguration of that Agia Sophia occurred on February 15th 360.
The church’s construction involved many people. An estimated ten thousand technicians worked on it. The most precious marble came from great regions. These included North Africa and ancient Greece. Consider marble from Thessaly. Think too of the Phrygian marble. The gold and the ivory added to its splendor.
Imagine the scene on December 27th 537. Emperor Justinian dedicated Agia Sophia. He proclaimed “Glory to God who has judged me worthy to complete this work. O Solomon I have surpassed you.” For over nine hundred years Agia Sophia was the heart of Orthodoxy. People gathered here for important events. Emperors were crowned within its walls.
Agia Sophia faced challenges. Earthquakes caused damage. But it always rose again. It stands as a testament to faith. It demonstrates architectural skill. Agia Sophia continues to inspire awe today. It is a reminder of the enduring power of faith wisdom and art. This small Agia Sophia in Athens echoes that grand history.