The northern pastophorium of Nubian churches: ideology and function (on the basis of inscriptions and paintings)
The northern pastophorium of Nubian churches: ideology and function (on the basis of inscriptions and paintings)

Author(s): Adam Łajtar, Dobrochna Zielińska
Subject(s): Archaeology
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: Christian Nubia; Oriental Christianity; church architecture; Nubian painting; wall inscriptions; Christian liturgy
Summary/Abstract: A well established program can be observed in the decoration of the northern pastophoria of Nubian churches from the 9th/10th century onwards. It consisted of a painted representation of Jesus Christ blessing with his right hand the chalice held in his left and inscriptions in Greek with prayers from the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. The authors argue that this program was a Nubian creation, alluding to the function of the northern pastophorium as a place for storing oblations, keeping liturgical implements and liturgical reserve, and possibly also celebrating the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

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