A Pilgrimage Centuries in the Making: The Pope’s Return to Nicaea
In the article I wrote after our educational trip to İznik (Nicaea) last March, which focused on İznik ceramics, I mentioned—based on statements from both the local community and the Vatican—that Pope Francis was planning to visit İznik before the end of the year. Sadly, he passed away before he could fulfill this wish. His […]
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BY Berkay Akarsu
- November 30, 2025 9:08 pm
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Where History, Art, and Spirituality Converge – A 1,700-Year Legacy …İznik (Niaea)
Iznik, with its rich historical and artistic heritage, offers a fascinating day-trip destination from Istanbul. Known as Nicaea in ancient times, Iznik played a crucial role in early Christianity, being the site of the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which laid the foundation for Christian doctrine and established the Nicene Creed. 2025 marks […]
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- March 14, 2025 3:25 pm
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Powerful Women of Byzantium: Influential Female Figures in the Empire
Throughout history, women have played significant roles not only within their families but also in state governance and politics. Their influence on power and authority was particularly striking in the Byzantine Empire. Also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, Byzantium was a stage filled with intrigues, power struggles, and political games, where some women left […]
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- February 1, 2025 2:16 pm
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