A History of Istanbul’s Chora Church

Istanbul’s Chora Church, which has stood for 17 centuries and famous for its mosaics and frescoes depicting the life of Jesus and Mary, will be reopened as a mosque in May as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan moves forward with plans to convert iconic Byzantine churches into Islamic houses of worship. Roberta Ahmanson interviews Alexei Lidov, noted art historian and Byzantinist, on the past and future of Chora Church.