Canons
The Adoration of the Magi
In Byzantine and post-Byzantine art the theme of The Adoration of the Magi is frequently included in representations of The Nativity of Jesus (see the canon of The Nativity of Jesus), but it may be treated by itself.
In Byzantine and post-Byzantine art the theme of The Adoration of the Magi is frequently included in representations of The Nativity of Jesus (see the canon of The Nativity of Jesus), but it may be treated by itself.
The Annunciation
The theme is a mandatory presence on the iconostasis, frequently represented in frescoes, icons or church patrons' icons, as well as illuminations.
The theme is a mandatory presence on the iconostasis, frequently represented in frescoes, icons or church patrons' icons, as well as illuminations.
The Archangel Gabriel
Archangels belong, according to the Christian angelology, to the last but one of the nine celestial orders.
Archangels belong, according to the Christian angelology, to the last but one of the nine celestial orders.
The Archangel Michael
The Archangel Michael fulfills different roles and is depicted in many postures but the standard iconography represents him as a winged military saint who fights against the Evil embodied in dragon.
The Archangel Michael fulfills different roles and is depicted in many postures but the standard iconography represents him as a winged military saint who fights against the Evil embodied in dragon.
Cherubs
There are two representations of cherubs. Obeying the Byzantine tradition, the cherubs, as the second highest order of angelology, are seen as beings with a human face and three pairs of wings, covering it.
There are two representations of cherubs. Obeying the Byzantine tradition, the cherubs, as the second highest order of angelology, are seen as beings with a human face and three pairs of wings, covering it.
Christ Blessing
Represented as a young man, frontally seen, with wavy hair and a short rounded, beard, Jesus is dressed in a long tunic over which a chiton is draped.
Represented as a young man, frontally seen, with wavy hair and a short rounded, beard, Jesus is dressed in a long tunic over which a chiton is draped.
Christ in Majesty
It is an iconographical theme originally from the West, already known in post-Byzantine Italy of the 13th. Century, representing the Heavenly Throne surrounded by the angelic orders, prophets and saints.
It is an iconographical theme originally from the West, already known in post-Byzantine Italy of the 13th. Century, representing the Heavenly Throne surrounded by the angelic orders, prophets and saints.
Christ Pantokrator
It is one of the oldest Christian iconographic themes, frequently represented in the monumental art, where it adorns the central dome or the half-dome of the apse, icons and illuminations, especially in the frontispieces.
It is one of the oldest Christian iconographic themes, frequently represented in the monumental art, where it adorns the central dome or the half-dome of the apse, icons and illuminations, especially in the frontispieces.
Christ the Teacher
In icon painting, as well as in church frescoes or book illustration, this iconographic theme is also entitled, quoting from Revelation 1:8,: “I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come”.
In icon painting, as well as in church frescoes or book illustration, this iconographic theme is also entitled, quoting from Revelation 1:8,: “I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come”.
Church Hierach in Clergy Vestments
The images are similar to those representing hierarchs in ceremonial clergy vestments, the main difference being the kind of the headdress worn.
The images are similar to those representing hierarchs in ceremonial clergy vestments, the main difference being the kind of the headdress worn.
Church Hierarch in Ceremonial Clergy vestments
The ceremonial liturgical vestments include: sticharion (suplice), epimanikia, epitrachelion, zone, saccos, omophorion, engolpion, epigonation, mantle, bishop staff, mitre and pectoral cross.
The ceremonial liturgical vestments include: sticharion (suplice), epimanikia, epitrachelion, zone, saccos, omophorion, engolpion, epigonation, mantle, bishop staff, mitre and pectoral cross.
David, King and Prophet
King David is depicted frontally, either profile or bust. He is almost always dressed in rich, traditionally Byzantine clothes.
King David is depicted frontally, either profile or bust. He is almost always dressed in rich, traditionally Byzantine clothes.
Deisis
Deisis is one of the first Christian iconographic themes, present, in the church, between the nave and the altar...
Deisis is one of the first Christian iconographic themes, present, in the church, between the nave and the altar...
The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost)
The iconographic representation of the Pentecost implies a minimal, at least, architectural background, against which the group of the apostles and the Holy Virgin are usually depicted standing.
The iconographic representation of the Pentecost implies a minimal, at least, architectural background, against which the group of the apostles and the Holy Virgin are usually depicted standing.
The Descent to Hell
The primary sources of the iconographical theme "The Descent to Hell" are to be found in the epistles of 1 Peter (3:18-19. 19:4-6) and 1 Corinthians (15:6-28. 15:45), dealing with the subjects of Gospel preaching to the souls of the dead...
The primary sources of the iconographical theme "The Descent to Hell" are to be found in the epistles of 1 Peter (3:18-19. 19:4-6) and 1 Corinthians (15:6-28. 15:45), dealing with the subjects of Gospel preaching to the souls of the dead...
The Dormition of the Virgin
The Dormition is a theme used very frequently in many genres: fresco, book illumination, church patrons' icons, illustratig one of the most important feasts of the Oriental Church liturgical calendar. However, the subject is apocryphal.
The Dormition is a theme used very frequently in many genres: fresco, book illumination, church patrons' icons, illustratig one of the most important feasts of the Oriental Church liturgical calendar. However, the subject is apocryphal.
Eleusa
Eleusa or Eleousa, meaning ”showing mercy or tenderness” designates one of the iconographic representations of Virgin with Child
Eleusa or Eleousa, meaning ”showing mercy or tenderness” designates one of the iconographic representations of Virgin with Child
The Flight to Egypt
The iconographical theme “The Flight to Egypt” is based on the Gospel, namely Matthew 2:14
The iconographical theme “The Flight to Egypt” is based on the Gospel, namely Matthew 2:14
God the Father
As a consequence of the interdiction, inherited form Judaism, against the anthropomorfic imagery of the Divinity, and as a result of the phylosophical and theological inability to physically limit the Absolute, Christian art was, for a long period, quite
As a consequence of the interdiction, inherited form Judaism, against the anthropomorfic imagery of the Divinity, and as a result of the phylosophical and theological inability to physically limit the Absolute, Christian art was, for a long period, quite
Hand of God
Due to the fact that an anthropomorphic representation of God-the Father was forbidden, interdiction less strictly observed along the time especially in the West, God-the Father is allegorically depicted in Byzantine and post-Byzantine art...
Due to the fact that an anthropomorphic representation of God-the Father was forbidden, interdiction less strictly observed along the time especially in the West, God-the Father is allegorically depicted in Byzantine and post-Byzantine art...
