# Dedication of Hagia Sophia (537)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/537-dedication-of-hagia-sophia
Location: Constantinople
Themes: Architecture

Justinian dedicates the new Hagia Sophia, the largest church in the world for nearly a thousand years. At this point in the timeline (27 December 537), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Vigilius (29 March 537 – 7 June 555).

## Why it matters
Dedication of Hagia Sophia mattered because it created a lasting landmark of Christian worship, art and pilgrimage.

Pope at the time: [Pope Vigilius](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-vigilius)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Hagia Sophia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Dedication of Hagia Sophia](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Dedication+of+Hagia+Sophia)
- [Wikipedia — Age Of Councils (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_seven_ecumenical_councils)