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Justinian I


Detail of the mosaic in the lunette over the south doorway showing
Justinian who presents a model of the church of Agia Sophia to the Virgin and Child, Agia Sophia.

Justinian who presents a model of the church of Agia Sophia to the Virgin and Child, Agia Sophia.

Justinian made every possible effort to strengthen religious life throughout the Empire. One such effort that Justinian made was that he ordered all the monks of the Empire to perform three services a day in their monasteries. These three services were the Mesonyktikon, the Orthros, and the Hesperinos, (still practiced in Eastern Orthodox churches and monasteries). As a result of Justinian's efforts in strengthening the church, a certain degree of splendour was added to every aspect of religious life. It was in Justinian's time that Agia Sophia was built. It was in Justinian's time when hymns were being increasingly produced to enrich the liturgical services of the church.

Check that you understand what these words mean in this document
Strengthen: make strong.
Monk: a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery.
Splendour: something which is shiny or great.
Hymns: songs which are sung in church.