Saksagan
Cretan and Italian Influence on Marian Icons
From the second half of the fifteenth century, painters from Crete and Italy frequently created images of the Virgin Mary that showed strong late-Gothic...
The Akathistos Hymn and Its Importance
The Akathistos hymn is an important liturgical poem in honor of the Virgin Mary. It consists of 24 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter...
The Statue of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus
At the entrance of the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus stands a statue of the Virgin. This statue welcomes visitors and pilgrims...
The House of the Virgin Mary
Christian tradition about the final years of the Virgin Mary after the Crucifixion of Jesus is divided into two main versions. According to one...
The Turning Point Under Constantine the Great
The difficult situation faced by Christians continued until the reign of Constantine the Great. A major change came in the year 313 with the...
The Siege and the Fall of the Walls
During the siege of Constantinople in 1453, the Turkish forces attacked the city’s defenses relentlessly. Two towers of the Inner Wall and a large...
The Gate of Charisius
A Site of Many Battles
The Gate of Charisius was a significant location in the history of Constantinople, and many important events took place there....
The Gate of Charisius and the Mesoteichion
The Gate of Charisius is located near a direct road that leads to the Imperial Cemetery, making its name very appropriate. The name may...
Busy Streets on the Bridge
Constant Foot Traffic
Sidewalks on the bridge are reserved for foot passengers, but pedestrians often use the roadway as well. From six o'clock in the...
Scenes in Constantinople
Constantinople's Diverse Population
Experienced travelers often claim that Constantinople is the place where the largest number of different races, wearing the most colorful costumes, can...
