Constantine the Great founded the first church around 330, and his son Constantius II completed it after Constantine's death in 337. Justinian I commissioned the second church, designed by Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus, who also worked on Hagia Sophia. Procopius credits Justinian with the rebuilding, while Pseudo-Codinus credits Empress Theodora. It was consecrated on June 28, 550.
The second church had five domes and a cruciform plan, with an extended western arm forming an atrium. The infobox lists brick and stone, while descriptions emphasize marble, brass roofing and gold. The domes were altered between 944 and 985.
The Fourth Crusade looted the tombs in 1204. The church was dilapidated by 1453, and the Ottomans demolished it, in 1461 or 1462 by the article's two accounts. The Fatih Mosque now stands on the site.
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