The Crimson Teardrops of Hagia Sophia

by James Terezakis

The sun was setting in the west, casting its shadow on the Theodosian Walls. Built by the Emperor Theodosius in the 5th century, they stood for over 1,000 years, stretching three and half miles long. There was an outer wall, a moat, and then an inner wall, 39 feet high, designed with a combination of 244 towers and 61 gates. These fortifications resisted 23 armies and 17 sieges. In the course of a millennium, they served as a barrier, protecting Europe from countless enemies. Exhausted, the Byzantine army stood silent observing the carnage on the battlefield. Hundreds lay dead. The elite Janissaries were busy taking the dead for proper Muslim burials. Emperor Constantine stood quietly observing this ritual, dressed in full military attire, sporting metal breastplates and metal leg guards with a kettle helmet, sword and knife. Standing next to him, the general in command of the city, Giustiniani Longo.

Giustiniani Longo had come from Chios with 700 Chioti soldiers and some Genoese officers. Having fought valiantly for 57 days, repelling countless attacks. Having attacked the Turks, and their 70 cannons breaking out of St. Romanus Gate, attacking Orban’s cannon. This cannon was 27 feet long, weighing 19 tons, shooting 1,200 pound cannonballs seven times a day. Emperor Constantine turned to Giustiniani Longo, “We have done a masterful job defending our great city against 100,000 Turks.”

“Yes, Emperor. And our citizen volunteer force of 25,000 old men, women, and children have done a splendid job repairing the wall and feeding our army.” Just then, the Grand Duke appeared, Lucas Notaras. He bent in front of the Emperor, addressing him “Basileus Sebastos.” “Any word from the Pope in Rome?” asked Emperor Constantine.

“No, young Sebastos,” replied Lucas Notaras.

“I don’t understand too well,” replied the Emperor, “The states of Venice, Florence, and Genoa, all have armies of 25,000 plus sailors’ and reserves. They have had two months to help us and the Pope refuses to help. They were always jealous of our currency and banking system. They sent us a handful of volunteers, 700 Greeks from Chios, led by Genoese officers, 1,500 Cretan warriors and sailors, some Sicilians, and Catalans.”

Notaras interrupted, “Sebastos, your coach has arrived with some personal guards. The Emperor and his Duke boarded the coach, took the Mese Road to Pantokrator Monastery, the most modern hospital. This 50+ bed hospital and medical school and library incorporated all the Greco-Roman medical knowledge as well as the knowledge of Alexandria. The hospital was fully functional with a nursing home, outpatient clinic, and a philanthropic wing to help feed and clothe the poor. The Emperor walked in, his entourage behind him. Shouts were heard, “Sevastatos!”

A couple of mortally wounded young soldiers reached out their hands. The Emperor approached gently, put his hand on their forehead, “Yes, my son.”

“When I enter Paradise, will I see my mother?”

“Yes, my son. Paradise holds many gifts for us.”

Emperor Constantine turned and said, “You have wounded here.” The monk quickly responded, “Much blood has been spilled in the defense of Christendom.” Lucas Notaras bowed and turned his head. “Basilues, we must go to Hagia Sophia.”

The Emperor and Lucas Notaras crossed themselves and boarded the Royal Coach, taking the main road—the “Mese.” They rode to the Imperial Gate at Hagia Sophia. The Imperial Gate, standing 23 feet high, was the exclusive entrance of the royal family. The Imperial are, with its shiny bronze doors. Hagia Sophia, the oldest and greatest cathedral in all of the world. Over a thousand years old, it was 270 feet long and 240 feet wide, standing 180 feet from the ground. Its circular dome was 40 feet wide with 40 windows. Designed by Isidore of Miletus and built by Emperor Justinian. Sporting 104 marble columns taken from the temple of Artemis in Ephesus.

In the South Gallery, a huge mosaic of Christ, flanked by the Virgin Mary, and John the Baptist. The seraphim mosaic represents the six winged angels protecting God’s throne. Emperor Constantine walked slowly to the altar. On one side, the Patriarch Athanasius, and on the other side, the Roman Catholic archbishop, Isiore of Kiev.

This day, he decides to receive communion from Isidore of Kiev, cementing his loyalty to both churches. The parishioners signed themselves, “Doxa to Theo.”

The rumors started spreading. The Theodosian Walls were badly falling. The city would fall. The 25 Psalti and 150 Anagnstsal, their voices, angelic, were singing the divine liturgy of St. John Chrystosome. Their heavenly harmonies were competing with the screams and crying of the elderly infirmed, and children. Many had gone downstairs to the vaults and tunnels, hiding, expecting the worst.

Emperor Constantine, now at the front, seeing Giustiniani Longo, mortally wounded, and his men, panicking, was told there was break in the wall and some traitor had left the “Kreoporta” open, he took his most loyal warriors, took off his royal attire and charged to his death.

The Ottomans ran wild. Blood everywhere. Bodies on the main roads. The choir sang louder. All the locked gates were being hammered open. The great saints of the past were visible at the altar, as Hagia Sophia embraced its Christian lambs and cried crimson teardrops.