| The narthex of the Agia Sophia church is entered | | | | In the open book held by Christ are the words: |
| through the doorway underneath the mosaic of | | | | `Peace be unto you. I am the Light of the World.' |
| Justinian and Constantine. It is a long, high, rather | | | | Christ is Wisdom, Light and Peace. He is flanked |
| dark hallway with nine bays. On the right are nine | | | | by two busts in roundels: the Virgin Mary (the |
| doorways, all leading into the nave. The central or | | | | instrument of the Incarnation) and the Archangel |
| Imperial Door was reserved for the use of the | | | | Gabriel (the messenger of the Incarnation). The |
| emperor and his attendants, and provides the | | | | Virgin's outstretched hands are interceding with |
| most perfect approach to the interior of the | | | | her Son on the emperor's behalf, her hands |
| church. | | | | echoing those of the emperor in gesture and |
| In the lunette over the doorway is a mosaic of | | | | direction. |
| Christ on His Throne with (almost certainly) the | | | | This is, and is intended to be, a terrifying image of |
| emperor Leo VI (886-912) performing | | | | power and majesty, which would have impressed |
| proskynesis - an act of homage normally made | | | | both the emperor and his subjects. Although |
| before (and not by) the emperor, where the | | | | created about too years earlier than the mosaic |
| subject falls on his knees, touches the ground | | | | of Justinian and Constantine, the style of the |
| with his forehead and holds his outstretched | | | | drapery, as befits the subject, is more abstract. |
| hands in supplication. | | | | |