ivXTRAA'CL'; TO MosouK OF SAxcTA SOPHIA: coxstantinople; 



Sancta Sophia stands as the world's greatest monument of Christian architecture. Pro- 

 fessor Paparrigopoulos, the Greek historian, whose estimate is regarded as the most careful 

 ever made, reckons the cost of ground, material, labor, ornaments, and church utensils_ at 

 about $64,000,000. The common estimate of the cost of St. Peters in Rome was something 

 less than $48,000,000. No other Christian church has at all approached Sancta Sophia in the 

 variety and priceless value of its marbles, in the prodigal employment of gold, silver, and 

 precious stones, and in the number and value of its sacred vessels. The expenditure for 

 Sancta Sophia was doubtless greater than for any other sanctuary ever reared by any people 

 to the glorv of God. 



537 



