Matveeva Iuliia

Variations of Byzantine Church Curtains (from texts and iconography)

Abstract

This article will examine an early Byzantine Greek text witch mentions several kinds of church textiles, which were donated by Constantius II along with several liturgical church vessels to Hagia Sophia in Constantinople in year 360 AD. A new translation of the text will be re-analized in order to clarify what kind of textiles are mentioned. As result of the analysis, curtains are revealed for: ciborium, church doors and church pylons. Each textile is considered as a prototype of similar curtains in iconography and a real object in the everyday life of the church, this is reflected in the symbolic images depicted on the textiles. The article will also analyze the influence of the Old Testament and late antique tradition of church curtains, using the symbolism, topography and functions of hanging textiles, in practice of the Christian church during the early Byzantine period.

Keywords

katapetasma, curtain, ciborium, church doors, pylons of church, iconography, symbolism, topography, function

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Information about the author

Matveeva Iuliia