What is the difference between Saint Sophia and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey?? Im confused!!?

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Frank B

In Greek, Hagia means "Holy". "Sofia" means "wisdom".

Hagia Sofia was once the biggest and one of the most important Christian Churches in the World.

Ermenici: There was never a "Saint Sofia" in Byzantium as no one was speaking English in Byzantium but Greek...There was and still is the Greek name of the Church: Hagia or Aya (as the Greeks spell it) Sofia. And it means Holy Wisdom. And it belongs to the Turks.

ipek

Same thing we say Ayasofya. But they can say whatever they want. The name is AYASOFYA.

Kimon

The real name of the Church is:
Ναός τῆς Ἁγίας τοῦ Θεοῦ Σοφίας

that is Church of the Holy Wisdom of God.

It was the Cathedral of Istanbul, then Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

It is a unique and magnificent building, All these names are names that different people use to name it. Greeks call it Hagia Sofia and Ayasofia (as Turks do) Saint Sophia is the Latin name.

dvatwork

Hagia Sophia was one of the most famous churches of the Byzantine Empire. In Greek language, the word HAGIA means saint. However it is also an adjective that means "holy". The name of the place (in Greek), HAGIA SOPHIA, means "HOLY WISDOM". It was the church named for the holy wisdom of God. It was NOT named for a saint named Sophia!!!!!! Do not say Saint Sophia, that is just plain wrong.

Totally Blunt

Hagia Sophia means Saint Sophia. The difference is in the languages.

Rain

Hagia Sophia (Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία; "Holy Wisdom", Turkish: Ayasofya) is a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum, in Istanbul, Turkey.
.

Zarzoorner

There is no different meaning, just the way of saying, Hagia Sofia was a Greek Orthodox church, Turks turned to a Mosque, one thing Turks should know, once a church is baptize with the holy water in a our lord Jesus Christs name, what ever happens that church will not change and will stay christian holly ground, Turks if you go to Hagia Sofia to pray, just remember, you are praying in our lord Jesus Christ house.

expatturk

Sometimes something gets lost in translation. Aya Sofya does indeed mean Holy Wisdom and this church *** mosque *** museum is a beautiful place to visit. Your confusion will end with a visit to Istanbul.

Claudia

Whatever you guys all call her...I think she is beautiful.

.:::Niko:::.

Ayasofya~~ Saint = Hagia

istanbul bogazi

No difference they are indicating the same museum where you can see two religions united. That is a very beautiful place.
edit:
Friends, in French in all the tourism guides and everywhere they call it Saint Sophie. in Italian it is called Basilica di Santa Sofia. Of course i prefer Ayasofya(Hagia Sophia) but some countries call the museum like that although it is not after Saint Sophie. It is just for your information.

Zarzoom: Turks don't pray in Ayasofia. There is no prayers going on there. This beautiful building is an open museum where everyone can come and see two cultures together.
So don't give false info to people.

ermenicik

Saint Sofia belonged to Byzantine.
Aya Sofya to Turks

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