This document discusses a school project on the Church of Saint Sophia in Thessaloniki, Greece. The project aims to educate students about Thessaloniki's Byzantine identity and cultural heritage by comparing the Church of Saint Sophia to the famous church of the same name in Istanbul. Students will research the churches' histories and architectural styles using online resources and visits. The objectives are to help students connect with their cultural roots and understand Byzantine churches' importance in Thessaloniki's history. Outcomes include student essays, posters, and improved engagement with history lessons.

2. Kyveli Mavromati
Prof. Antonis Mavromatis
• Mandoulides school
Thessaloniki

3. The Church of Saint (Agia) Sophia
in Thessaloniki, Greece:
Our byzantine identity
Mandoulides Schools, Thessaloniki, Greece
Kyveli Mavromati, 11th grade
Antonis Mavromatis, Head of New Technology Department

4. Thessaloniki
O Established in 316 BCE by Kassandros
O Named after Kassandros’ wife,
Alexander’s the Great half sister
O Place where Apostle Paul first brought
the message of Christianity
O The city’s patron saint is Demetrius, a
roman officer who died in martyrdom (303
CE)
O The second biggest city of the Byzantine
Empire

5. Thessaloniki (cont.)
O Harmonic combination of the ancient
Greek culture, the byzantine elements and
the modern aspects
O An Actual open-air Byzantine Museum
O Designated by Unesco as a World
Heritage Site, because of the numerous
and priceless value of its Byzantine and
post-Byzantine churches.

7. Church of Saint Sophia
O Located in the centre of Thessaloniki
O One of the most important paleo-Christian
monuments
O Dates back from the early 8th century,
during the reign of Leo III the Isaurian.
O Transitional style between the domed
basilica and the domed cruciform church.
O Based on the famous nameshake in
Instanbul (6th century)

8. Church of Saint Sophia (cont.)
O Until the 3rd century, there were
O A Roman building
O An Early Christian basilica beneath.
O In the Iconoclastic era, the apse of the church
was embellished with plain gold mosaics with
only one great cross.
O In 1585, converted into a mosque by the Turks
O Reconstructed in 1907-10
O Rededicated for Christian worship in 1912

10. Mandoulides Schools
O Α private, coeducational
school with a European
character and a global
orientation.
O It constitutes a modern,
dynamic community of
education, culture and sports
which offers schooling for
students from Day Care
through twelfth grade.
O It is considered to be one of
the most prestigious and
selective institutions in the
country with nearly 2000
students.

11. Mandoulides Schools
O Honors and Awards
O International Olympiad in Informatics
O International Mathematical Olympiad
O International Biology Olympiad
O International Physics Olympiad
O Balkan Olympiad in Informatics
O Basketball Championships
O Harvard Model Congress Europe
O Yale Model Government Europe
O European Youth Parliament Members

12. Our project @Mandoulides Schools
O Identify the byzantine identity of Thessaloniki
O Learn more about the Church of Saint Sophia
O Show that byzantine culture is part of who we
are
O Pinpoint the differences and the similarities
between the Church of St. Sophia in
Thessaloniki and that in Istanbul which is now a
museum
O Raise awareness of UNESCO World Heritage
sites and sustainable development

13. Comparison of Agia Sophia
In Thessaloniki
O Built in the 8th
century
O Domed basilica and
domed cruciform
church.
O Mosque 1585-1890
O Built to honor the
wisdom of God
In Istanbul
O Built in the 4th
century
O Domed Basilica
O Roman Catholic
cathedral 1204-
1261
O Mosque 1453-1931
O Built to honor the
wisdom of God

14. Methods
O Internet will be a valuable source of
information
O In addition, books concerning the byzantine
churches can be easily found and boost our
research about the church of St. Sophia.
O Excursions to the centre of the city and visits
to museums so students will realise that
Greek heritage and history are not only a
subject at school but also a part of who they
are.

15. Methods
O student exchange programs among
neighboring countries
O enhance the historical and cultural
connection between the Church of Agia
Sohia in Thessaloniki and the one in
Bosporus.
O speeches and interviews with people
related to the analysis of the byzantine
monuments.

16. Objectives
O Help the students to be in contact with
their cultural heritage
O Revive historical facts in front of the eyes
of the students and make them realise the
value of history and cultural heritage
O Understand how Byzantine churches
played an important role throughout the
history of Thessaloniki

17. Objectives (cont.)
O Reveal the relation between the Church
of St. Sophia in Thessaloniki and the
Church of St. Sophia in Constantinople
O Create experiential educational interactive
sessions in order to implement a better
understanding of the historical and cultural
heritage of Thessaloniki and Byzantium
O Improve the relation between the subject
of history in schools and the students

18. Outcomes
O Essays and posters about the value of the
Church of St. Sophia written by the students
that can be presented by them in conferences
or cultural events
O Students that are well informed about history
and the world heritage and that crave for
knowledge
O A better relation between students and
teachers, since they will have worked together
during the preparation of the projects

19. Thank you very much
for your attention!