Sweat, Fear, Joy, and Amazement: Personal Experience and Mental Journeys of Orthodox Pilgrims to the Holy Land (12th to 15th Century)
Sweat, Fear, Joy, and Amazement: Personal Experience and Mental Journeys of Orthodox Pilgrims to the Holy Land (12th to 15th Century)

Summary/Abstract: This essay analyzes emotionally-charged descriptions of the Holy Land’s locations, composed by Byzantine and Slavic pilgrims, from the 12th to the 15th century. The author considers that such episodes were meant to assist the audience in their imaginary journey. By concentrating on curiosities, dangers, beauties of landscape, or physical efforts, the authors created a feeling of presence at the sites, here-and-now. On the other hand, the accounts of pious, bodily performances and the Erlebnisse of encounters with the Divine facilitated the audience’s access to the spiritual experiences and helped them to conduct the transformative journey mentally.

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