Now a Greek chapel sits on the spot where the holy spring or ayazma of Blachernae flowed in pre-Christian times. Its waters are believed to posses miraculous powers, but having drank it I feel much the same. In 451 a great church was built over the spring by Pulcheria, wife to Emperor Marcian. A few years later the robe and mantle of the Virgin were kept here. As a result it became the most important shrine in the city. The church was destroyed in 1434 by fire.

On the picture: the Sacred Spring (left) and a ‘Theotokos Hodigitria’ icon (= ‘Birth-Giver of God’ + ‘She who shows the Way’).
Meaning of the iconography: The Virgin Mary is holding the Child Jesus at her side, while pointing to Him as the source of salvation for mankind.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.