Constantinople - Hagia Sophia, Mosaic
Hagia Sophia Image Gallery
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Because of its architectural complexity, decorating Hagia Sophia proved especially difficult. Unlike other churches of the era, it simply isn't possible to see the entire interior at a single glance and this makes any single, unified theme impossible. Because the walls were all marble, it wasn't possible to put mosaics on them. There is, then, no cohesive narrative created by what decorations do exist in the various niches, arches, and bays.
The above photograph shows the bema of the apse of Hagia Sophia where we can see one of the best examples of 10th century mosaics in existence. It depicts the Virgin and Child in glittering gold. On either side were originally archangels; today, only a few fragments of Michael remain.
Located at the east end of Hagia Sophia, the bema was a "Holy of Holies" where no lay person (except for the emperor) was permitted to enter. Here the mystery of the liturgy was performed and the bread and wine transformed to the body and blood of Christ. Everything took place behind a curtain while the congregation waited to receive communion - but only after the emperor who had assumed a semi-priestly status as a Thirteenth Apostle, protector of both the church and the state.
