Hierarchies Or Direct Relation To God: A New Interpretation Cover Image

Hierarchies Or Direct Relation To God: A New Interpretation
Hierarchies Or Direct Relation To God: A New Interpretation

Author(s): Michael Altripp
Subject(s): History
Published by: Vizantološki institut SANU
Keywords: Hierarchy; pictorial programs; theosis; Western infl uence

Summary/Abstract: In this paper it will be questioned that the hierarchies play an important role in Byzantine church decoration. There are only a few examples which probably could be interpretated as depictions of hierarchies. But even they are far from certain. Depictions of hierarchies came up during the fi rst centuries of the Post-Byzantine times and occured quite often from then on. It is proposed that these Post-Byzantine examples derive from Western models. In general it remains to clarify whether or not Byzantine theology is dominated by hierarchical theories. It contradicts the idea of theosis to which e.g. The Pantocrator probably fi ts better than anything else.

  • Issue Year: 2013
  • Issue No: 50/2
  • Page Range: 969-985
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: English