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The Meaning of “Ten Days”
Saint John speaks of an ordeal that will last “only ten days.” The exact meaning of this period is not completely clear. Many scholars...
Trial and Perseverance in Early Christianity
The ordeal that Saint John speaks about in his writings was not imagined as something brief or symbolic only. It was expected to last...
The Situation of the Christian Community
In his message, John shows that he understands the suffering and poverty of the Christian community he is addressing. Their poverty was not only...
The Prison of St. Diomed
In the neighborhood of the fortifications lay the famous Prison of St. Diomed. This prison witnessed several notable historical events. In 654, Pope Martin...
The Gate of Psamathia
The next gate in the Constantinian walls of Constantinople is known as the Gate of Psamathia, derived from the ancient quarter called Psamathia. The...
Sources on Constantinople’s Gates
The ancient and medieval gates of Constantinople have been described by several historians and chroniclers. Patriarch Constantine, Cedrenus, Xonaras, and Symeon Magister provide important...
Structure of the Palace Complex
A transverse wall (a wall crossing from side to side) was built a short distance to the north of the palace. This wall created...
A Royal Residence During Political Conflict
In the year 1347, the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus became the residence of John VI Cantacuzene, who had just entered Constantinople. At that time,...
The Palace of the Porphyrogenitus
An Imperial Residence
The ruins of a Byzantine palace, today commonly called Tekfur Sarayı, are located next to the Porta Xylokerkou (now near Edirnekapı) in...
Prayers Outside the Mosque
While the Sultan prayed inside the mosque, strips of matting were rolled out onto the pavement outside. The pilgrims, who had gathered to see...
