Who is Hagia Irene?
Among istanbul's byzantine churches, hagia irene church has, perhaps, the most extensive history of all. hagia irene was constructed during the reign of the roman emperor constantine the great, around the beginning of the fourth century. constantine commissioned the construction of the hagia irene church in the name of a saint who lived during that period. during the nika riots in 532, hagia irene was burned and destroyed. later, hagia irene was renovated by emperor justinian. the former church also witnessed an earthquake and had to be renovated yet again.
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