An Angel Reappears in the Haghia Sophia

Yet another wonderful discovery in the restoration of the Christian mosaics of the Haghia Sophia. For me, this face is both naive and knowing.

Turkey's Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay speaks to journalists beside a well-preserved, long-hidden mosaic depicting the face of an angel which was uncovered by restoration workers in the former Byzantine cathedral of Haghia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, July 25, 2009. The seraphim figure, one of two located on the side of a dome, had been covered up along with the building's other Christian mosaics shortly after Constantinople (the former name for Istanbul) fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 and the cathedral was turned into a mosque. The mosaics were plastered over according to a Muslim custom that prohibits the representation of humans. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta) - AP

An AP video is below. For our Facebook Fans -- to see the video, copy and paste http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCBqw36IAUQ into your browser.

Enjoy -- Nancie