HAGIA SOPHIA THROUGHOUT THE AGES {VIDEO}

 

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia – represented by His Grace Bishop Emilianos of Meloa – and with the initiative of Very Revd Fr Athanasios Giatsios, on 8 October, 2020, St Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church, Mascot, hosted an event on ‘Hagia Sophia Throughout the Ages.’ It featured talks by Professor Vrasidas Karalis (Sir Nicholas Laurentus Professor of Modern Greek, University of Sydney), Dr Andrew Mellas (Senior Lecturer in Church History and Liturgical Studies, St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College), and Dr Mario Baghos (Lecturer in Patristics and Church History, St Andrew’s).

The event was opened with prayer by His Grace and MC’d by Mr Chris Baghos (PhD candidate, USyd). Present also were representatives from the Modern Greek Departments of both Macquarie University, Dr Patricia Koromvokis (Department of International Studies Languages and Cultures) and UNSW, Dr Efrossini Deligianni (School of Humanities and Languages).

Dr Baghos addressed the art and architecture of Hagia Sophia, drawing special attention to its historical evolution and theological significance. Dr Mellas outlined, with practical examples, what sacred Byzantine chant would have sounded like the Church, whereas Prof. Karalis explored the use of the Church by Turkey in modern geopolitical conflicts, highlighting its recent conversion into a mosque to bolster Turkish hegemony, copntradicting that this building is part of a worldwide, multireligious and cultural heritage.

The event ended was co-sponsored by St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College and the Sydney University Greek Society (SUGS). Robust Q&A ensued.

Photos (c) Eirini Alligiannis

The full video of the event can be viewed here: