Santa Sofia

By Bro. Paul Ines, sdb

Santa Sofia is one of the most ancient churches in the world built in 531 by Justinian I. It was a Christian church for a thousand years; then when Constantinople fell to the Turks it was a mosque for 500 years; now it is a museum. Fr. Ines, a Filipino missionary in Turkey, reflects on the memory of that once great Church.

As a Catholic Christian Missionary I feel a bit like the Basilica, a lonely sentinel in a predominantly Muslim land.

Yet, this Basilica of Santa Sofia gives witness in silence. She whispers the truth after all, Christ remains for all ages. In fact, to this day, although it is now a museum, the Basilica catechizes, so to speak, through the central mosaic of the Blessed Virgin Mary which has recently been restored. This mosaic depicts Mary giving to the world Jesus Christ, Divine Wisdom personified.

This Basilica dominating the skyline of the ancient city of Istanbul is a constant reminder for us of the call to mission even in the most difficult circumstances. Christus Vincit. Christus regnant Christus imperat.