Read

Listen

Listen to Ancient Music Revived by Technology

Published:
December 5, 2023
February 27, 2020
Listen to what music sounded like in the Hagia Sophia during the 6th century.|Listen to what music sounded like in the Hagia Sophia during the 6th century.

There are few things on this planet that are truly amazing, but the Hagia Sophia church building in Istanbul, Turkey would certainly fit in that category. 

When it was built in 537, it was the world’s largest building. The enormous dome of the church was an engineering marvel. The building changed the history of architecture — and the history of music. A century’s-worth of chant and song was written just to be performed there because of the church’s remarkable acoustics. 

For 1,000 years, Hagia Sophia (Greek for “Holy Wisdom”) was the home of the Greek Orthodox Church. It became a mosque in the 1400s and is now a museum and Turkey’s most-visited tourist attraction.

The communities of faith — both Christian and Islamic — who worshipped there are now gone, but technology is bringing their experience back to life. This story from NPR grabbed our attention this week: researchers from Stanford University collaborated with a choir to recreate the unique acoustic experience of what it would have sounded like to pray in this building 1,000 years ago.

Lent is a great time to step into a prayer practice. If that’s a stretch or a struggle, think about jump-starting your efforts by standing in the shoes of ancient Christians and imagining yourself in the stunning Hagia Sophia. Stream the music of the choir featured in this story, Capella Romana, and perhaps the sacred sound will lift your heart to God as it did for generations of Christians in Turkey — and for us!

Creators:
Grotto Shares
Published:
December 5, 2023
February 27, 2020
On a related note...
My Struggle with Porn

My Struggle with Porn

Christine Chu

The Beginner’s Guide to the Stations of the Cross

The Beginner’s Guide to the Stations of the Cross

Mary Claire Lagroue

This App Guides You in Prayerful Meditation

This App Guides You in Prayerful Meditation

Jessie McCartney

St. Mother Teresa Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Mother Teresa Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

‘Why Not Live in Reckless Wonder?’ 3 Poems Bundled Around Beauty

‘Why Not Live in Reckless Wonder?’ 3 Poems Bundled Around Beauty

Grotto

Grotto’s Travel Guide to the Twin Cities

Grotto’s Travel Guide to the Twin Cities

Andrew Mentock

FIRE: A Famous Philosopher’s Description of Meeting God

FIRE: A Famous Philosopher’s Description of Meeting God

Rick Yoder

"The Messages We Receive"

"The Messages We Receive"

Brett Robinson

"Untitled"

"Untitled"

Stephanie Konrady

Married Saints for Newlyweds To Look Up To

Married Saints for Newlyweds To Look Up To

Molly Cruitt

The Benefits of Waiting During the Holiday Season

The Benefits of Waiting During the Holiday Season

Ben Wilson

Mom First, Fashion Second

Mom First, Fashion Second

Grotto

Is There More to Life Than What We Can See?

Is There More to Life Than What We Can See?

Patrick Schmadeke

Volunteer Ideas Based on Your MBTI

Volunteer Ideas Based on Your MBTI

Maria Walley

Pope Francis's Message of Lenten Hope

Pope Francis's Message of Lenten Hope

Grotto Shares

Tattoo Artists Cover Up Racist Tattoos

Tattoo Artists Cover Up Racist Tattoos

Grotto

Why 'Living for the Weekend' is No Way to Live

Why 'Living for the Weekend' is No Way to Live

Patrick Schmadeke

3 Things to Consider Before Entering Grad School

3 Things to Consider Before Entering Grad School

Molly Gettinger

Stunning Street Art in Paradise, California

Stunning Street Art in Paradise, California

Grotto

Meet the Nun Fighting to Abolish the Death Penalty

Meet the Nun Fighting to Abolish the Death Penalty

Lisa Greey Lytwyn

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.