БРОНЗОВ РЕЛИКВИАРЕН КРЪСТ СЪС СВ. НИКИТА
BRONZE RELIQUARY CROSS WITH ST. NIKETAS THE GOTH

Summary/Abstract: This work is devoted to reliquary cross with image of the military saint St. Niketas the Goth (o άγιός Νιkήτας) – not a very popular character among this iconographic type of crosses from the Middle Ages. The cross has a shape of Latin cross with elongated lower arm and it is cast by cooper alloy (bronze) in bilateral casting form (Fig. 1).Casting is not very good quality, as evidenced by the pores on the face surface, slightly damaged proportions and insufficient quantity of metal for forming the shape at the bottom. The image fills the entire space of the cross, bearing of additional edge. The saint is depicted right opposite, with uplifted hand in prayer position among the flames. Over a three-row head on inscription “О АГIIOC NHKITA”.Confusion in the beginning was letter “K” – written directed at 90º. Given, however, the remaining inaccuracies and errors in the engraving of the inscription on the cross, it did not seem unusual and demonstrates the provincial nature of the product. Confirmation of the fact that on the cross is depicted namely St. Niketas not only name, but the iconographic peculiarities. According to biography of St. Niketas the Goth, he lived in the second half of the IV century and was died in 15.09.372. He is defended faith among Gothic wars, subjected to torture andthen burned.

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