Justinian is a saint of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. He was a [[Christian]] emperor who feared the effects on his empire from different religious and philosophical viewpoints. To this end he wanted a united Christian view to serve as the backbone of the people and the empire. Pagan and non-Christian thought was surpressed. Justinian even backed the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|orthodox]] clergy in denouncing other [[Christians]] as heretics. He oversaw the construction of the [[Hagia Sophia]] church in Constaninople, which was one of the most magnificent and beautiful buildings ever, until the [[Muslims]] turned it into a [[mosque]] when they conqured Constantinople in 1453, almost 1000 years after his birth. | Justinian is a saint of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. He was a [[Christian]] emperor who feared the effects on his empire from different religious and philosophical viewpoints. To this end he wanted a united Christian view to serve as the backbone of the people and the empire. Pagan and non-Christian thought was surpressed. Justinian even backed the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|orthodox]] clergy in denouncing other [[Christians]] as heretics. He oversaw the construction of the [[Hagia Sophia]] church in Constaninople, which was one of the most magnificent and beautiful buildings ever, until the [[Muslims]] turned it into a [[mosque]] when they conqured Constantinople in 1453, almost 1000 years after his birth. |