Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

I. Formative Period: From Justinian to c.800

Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

I. Formative Period: From Justinian to c.800

A. The Byzantine Empire Takes Shape

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/Byzantine_Empire_animated.gif

Byzantine Empire, 717

717

867

Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

I. Formative Period: From Justinian to c.800

A. The Byzantine Empire Takes Shape

II. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Christianity

Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

I. Formative Period: From Justinian to c.800

A. The Byzantine Empire Takes Shape

II. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Christianity

A. Tradition - 3 emphases:

Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

I. Formative Period: From Justinian to c.800

A. The Byzantine Empire Takes Shape

II. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Christianity

A. Tradition - 3 emphases:

1. Bible 2. Creeds 3. 7 Ecumenical Councils

Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

I. Formative Period: From Justinian to c.800

A. The Byzantine Empire Takes Shape

II. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Christianity

A. Tradition - 3 emphases:

1. Bible 2. Creeds 3 Ecumenical Councils

B. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Spirituality

“All Saints” Icons

seraphim lordships rulers

cherubim powers archangels

thrones authorities angels

seraphim lordships rulers

cherubim powers archangels

thrones authorities angels

baptism bishops monks

Eucharist priests believers

Anointing deacons catechumens

5-tiered iconostasisIconostasis in cathedral of the Annunciation

in Moscow Kremlin, Russia

Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

I. Formative Period: From Justinian to c.800

A. The Byzantine Empire Takes Shape

II. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Christianity

A. Tradition - 3 emphases:

1. Bible 2. Creeds 3 Ecumenical Councils

B. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Spirituality

III. The Meaning of Icons

Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

I. Formative Period: From Justinian to c.800

A. The Byzantine Empire Takes Shape

II. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Christianity

A. Tradition - 3 emphases:

1. Bible 2. Creeds 3 Ecumenical Councils

B. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Spirituality

III. The Meaning of Icons

A. History: The Iconoclastic Controversies

Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

I. Formative Period: From Justinian to c.800

A. The Byzantine Empire Takes Shape

II. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Christianity

A. Tradition - 3 emphases:

1. Bible 2. Creeds 3 Ecumenical Councils

B. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Spirituality

III. The Meaning of Icons

A. History: The Iconoclastic Controversies

B. Theology & Spirituality

Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

I. Formative Period: From Justinian to c.800

A. The Byzantine Empire Takes Shape

II. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Christianity

A. Tradition - 3 emphases:

1. Bible 2. Creeds 3 Ecumenical Councils

B. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Spirituality

III. The Meaning of Icons

A. History: The Iconoclastic Controversies

B. Theology & Spirituality

1. Icons Preserve 3 Truths

Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

I. Formative Period: From Justinian to c.800

A. The Byzantine Empire Takes Shape

II. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Christianity

A. Tradition - 3 emphases:

1. Bible 2. Creeds 3 Ecumenical Councils

B. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Spirituality

III. The Meaning of Icons

A. History: The Iconoclastic Controversies

B. Theology & Spirituality

1. Icons Preserve 3 Truths

2. Icon Art is Literary Art

St. George & the Dragon

Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

Anastasis (Resurrection)

The Annunciation

The Trinity (Andrei Rublev)

Byzantine Christianity: Spirituality and Art

I. Formative Period: From Justinian to c.800

A. The Byzantine Empire Takes Shape

II. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Christianity

A. Tradition - 3 emphases:

1. Bible 2. Creeds 3 Ecumenical Councils

B. Distinctive Features of Byzantine Spirituality

III. The Meaning of Icons

A. History: The Iconoclastic Controversies

B. Theology & Spirituality

1. Icons Preserve 3 Truths

2. Icon Art is Literary Art

3. Icons are Liturgical Art

John the Baptist, 6th century iconChrist