I let yesterday come and go without noting an important anniversary—the fall of Constantinople on May 29, 1453. When the city walls were breached by Muslim Turks on that date, the church called Hagia Sophia had stood, looking like this sophia-painting.jpg, on that spot for 1000 years, representing one of the most astonishing architectural achievements of that, or any age.

Why note the anniversary? Because if current cultural, demographic, and immigration policy trends continue in Europe, minarets will begin to rise on the great cathedrals of that continent as well. My grandchildren may very well look at a picture of Notre Dame or St. Paul’s and see minarets rising above the flying buttresses. And they will say:

“This used to be a church.”*

* btw… It’s already begun.