Hagia Irene

by The_Byzantine_Builder · 2026-09-21 · Maps

world download available at: www.patreon.com/the_byzantine_builder Hagia Irene - Αγία Ειρήνη  The church of Hagia Irene (Divine Peace) was one of the earliest and most important churches of Constantinople. An earlier church on site was traditionally associated with Emperor Constantine and served as the cathedral of Constantinople until the inauguration of the first Hagia Sophia in 360. It was re-built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, after being destroyed during the Nika Revolt of 532. It is where the Second Ecumenical Council was held during 381. The famous mosaic cross in the apse was added in the 8th century when the Iconoclast emperor Constantine did extensive restoration works. It functioned as an armory during the years of the Ottoman empire, before becoming a museum in the 19th century. It's one of the few churches that were never converted into a mosque.