by Archbishop of Albania Anastasios

The conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque brought to the fore the West's troubled relationship with Islam. Usually, in such a position on the problem, a special tone is given to political-military Islam, especially radical Islam. While, directly, or indirectly, the religious nature of Islam is relegated to second place. It is the religious nature, however, which feeds, inspires and innervates political Islam (with specific metaphysical principles and beliefs, with a system of dogmatic official positions, ethical codes, a text that is sacred, of an absolute, non-negotiable prestige).

Author, historian and professor emerita at the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies at Queens College of the City University of New York Angela Constantinides Hero, passed away four days ago.

The Getty Villa will offer the exhibit: "Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium From Greek Collections" in Los Angeles, CA.