Elena Ene Draghici-Vasilescu (see also Elena Ene D-Vasilescu) | University of Oxford (original) (raw)
Books by Elena Ene Draghici-Vasilescu (see also Elena Ene D-Vasilescu)
Scientific Research Publishing Inc., Glendale, CA, 2024
This book is about a particular region of the Byzantine Empire, Cappadocia, within Anatolia, in t... more This book is about a particular region of the Byzantine Empire, Cappadocia, within Anatolia, in the centre of what is now Turkey. It deals with various aspects of Cappadocian culture, beginning with its environment and buildings, and ending with specific visual motifs which the artists employed to decorate the latter. It also considers education in Cappadocia during the Byzantines as well as the epigraphic evidence of a precise type (that along the borders) left by them. The study is a scholarly/professional work that draws on my current research as well as on the material which I developed in the last four years while teaching for the University of Oxford. There are no substantial recent publications dedicated exclusively to this area – certainly not in the United Kingdom where I work.
YouTube, 2023
Aceasta piesa de teatru (o dramatizare facute de mine dupa opera lui Mircea Eliade) a fost realiz... more Aceasta piesa de teatru (o dramatizare facute de mine dupa opera lui Mircea Eliade) a fost realizata pentru Radio Romania Cultural. Este pe YouTube (search Elena Ene Draghici-Vasilescu).
Pricipala opera pe care am dramatizat-o pentru aceasta piesa este romanul 'Noaptea de Sanziene'. Am inclus si comentarii ale lui Eliade din L’épreuve du labyrinth'/'Încercarea Labirintului, care este o carte de conversatii pe care profesorul le-a avut cu Claude-Henri Rocquet.
This play (on youtube re Elena Ene Draghici-Vasilescu) is my translation of the dramatization entitled 'Iesirea din Labirint', which I made of Mircea Eliade's novel Noaptea de Sanziene/The Forbidded Forest. The play is broadcast on Romania Radio Cultural. I have also included within the play some of Eliade's thoughts from the book L’épreuve du labyrinth'/'Încercarea Labirintului/'The Ordeal by Labyrinth', which is a collections of conversations Eliade had with Claude-Henri Rocquet.
YouTube, 2023
This play (on YouTube re Elena Ene Draghici-Vasilescu) is my translation of the dramatization ent... more This play (on YouTube re Elena Ene Draghici-Vasilescu) is my translation of the dramatization entitled 'Iesirea din Labirint', which I made of Mircea Eliade's novel Noaptea de Sanziene/The Forbidded Forest. The play is broadcast on Romania Radio Cultural. I have also included within the play some of Eliade's thoughts from the book L’épreuve du labyrinth'/'Încercarea Labirintului/'The Ordeal by Labyrinth', which is a collections of conversations Eliade had with Claude-Henri Rocquet.
'Amintiri de călătorie prin viaţă. Întâlniri şi întâmplări' (prima parte), 2023
The book is a professional biography, which I wrote during my vacations. 'Amintiri de călătorie... more The book is a professional biography, which I wrote during my vacations.
'Amintiri de călătorie prin viaţă. Întâlniri şi întâmplări' (prima parte); it will come out in English as 'Memories of journeying through life. Encounters and happenings (the first part).
Published in Oxford by Vasilescu Academic.
Études bibliologiques/Library Research Studies 3, pp. 65-73, 2021
This article is about the library which Mavrocordatos family created. It refers to all three of i... more This article is about the library which Mavrocordatos family created. It refers to all three of its branches: Constantinople, Chios, and Văcăreşti, but focuses especially on the latter. The library within the monastery near Bucharest was one of the most complete of its day, and it was well known even in the West.
Some of its content is presented in my text, including its various catalogues; the scholars who worked on these compilations will also be mentioned.
Key words:
books, Mavrocordatos family, Văcăreşti, Chios, the Danubian Principalities
The Royal Historical Society, UK., 2023
This Fellowship allows me to work more and publish with prestigious publishing houses.
The report of my work in 2022 (and some in 2021). This is just a partial report, 2022
The report of my work in 2022 (and some in 2021). This is just a partial report
IKON, 2022
This is a review written by Prof. Marina Vicelja-Matijasic concerning my books: Michelangelo, the... more This is a review written by Prof. Marina Vicelja-Matijasic concerning my books: Michelangelo, the Byzantines, and Plato; Creation and Time. Byzantine and Modern, as well as Glimpses into Byzatium. Its Philosophy and Arts.
The South-Wales and Wales Late Antique, Early Medieval, and Byzantine Network Colloquium (SWW LAEMB Network), i.e. the Second Annual Summer Colloquium on the theme of Connectivity and Networks, 300-1200 CE; the 3rd of June , 2021
In the literature concerning Byzantium usually the historical phenomena are analysed as they... more In the literature concerning Byzantium usually the historical phenomena are analysed as they took place along the Eastern-Western axis of its territory. What my paper proposes is an alternative to this approach.
Because of the need to circulate goods between the Mediterranean and the North Sea, roads were constructed to connect the two, and along these both merchandises (textiles, metal objects, etc.) and cultural items as manuscripts, ivory for book covers, pigments for painting, etc. were transported. The same thoroughfares and points of connection within a large network were used for religious purposes and by the military.
I adduce testimonies to make a strong argument that the division ‘North-South’ within the Empire was as important as that ‘East-West’.
Bulletin of Patristic Studies, 2021
This is the annual Bulletin of the International_Association_of_Patristic_Studies.pdf in which th... more This is the annual Bulletin of the International_Association_of_Patristic_Studies.pdf in which the works of its memebers are mentioned (for 2021 I have 10 mentions).
CREATION AND TIME. BYZANTINE AND MODERN, 2021
The book investigates how the concept of time was understood in the period between the second and... more The book investigates how the concept of time was understood in the period between the second and the seventh centuries. It also focuses in chapter 8 on the manner in which this notion was reconsidered by some modern and contemporary scholars, in particular Paul Tillich.
Glimpses into Byzantium. Its philosophy and arts, 2021
This volume contains peer-reviewed articles published by the author either in hard-copy or in ele... more This volume contains peer-reviewed articles published by the author either in hard-copy or in electronic format between 2019 and 2021. These focus on various aspects of Byzantine and Medieval culture.
The book connects Michelangelo’s education within an environment marked by Byzantine artistic pre... more The book connects Michelangelo’s education within an environment marked by Byzantine artistic presence with his work. There are no books that underscore the exposure of the Florentine artist to the culture of Byzantium, and this volume fills that gap.
This volume contains peer-reviewed articles published by the author either in hard-copy or in ele... more This volume contains peer-reviewed articles published by the author either in hard-copy or in electronic format between 2019 and 2021. These focus on various aspects of Byzantine and Medieval culture.
The book investigates how the concept of time was understood in the period between the second and... more The book investigates how the concept of time was understood in the period between the second and the seventh centuries. It also focuses in chapter 8 on the manner in which this notion was reconsidered by some modern and contemporary scholars, in particular Paul Tillich, because from among them he elaborated in most detail on these concepts.
The book contains nine chapters. Its Introduction sets out the theoretical framework that allows... more The book contains nine chapters. Its Introduction sets out the theoretical framework that allows a discussion with regard to the link between the sacred and the worldly domains in the context of Patristics thought and Byzantine culture. The rest of the chapters employ, among others, the works of Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, Clement of Alexandria, and Augustine that focus on the same subject-matter. Byzantine iconography is used in order to illustrate some of the ideas within the publication.
'Zeul cel Preainalt si frica de divinitate. Documente epigrafice din Europa si din Anatolia/[God Almighty and the Awe vis-à-vis Divinity], 2012
'Zeul cel Preainalt si frica de divinitate. Documente epigrafice din Europa si din Anatolia/[God ... more 'Zeul cel Preainalt si frica de divinitate. Documente epigrafice din Europa si din Anatolia/[God Almighty and the Awe vis-à-vis Divinity], Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University Press, Iași, 2012. The book has almost 400 public mentions.
Scientific Research Publishing Inc., Glendale, CA, 2024
This book is about a particular region of the Byzantine Empire, Cappadocia, within Anatolia, in t... more This book is about a particular region of the Byzantine Empire, Cappadocia, within Anatolia, in the centre of what is now Turkey. It deals with various aspects of Cappadocian culture, beginning with its environment and buildings, and ending with specific visual motifs which the artists employed to decorate the latter. It also considers education in Cappadocia during the Byzantines as well as the epigraphic evidence of a precise type (that along the borders) left by them. The study is a scholarly/professional work that draws on my current research as well as on the material which I developed in the last four years while teaching for the University of Oxford. There are no substantial recent publications dedicated exclusively to this area – certainly not in the United Kingdom where I work.
YouTube, 2023
Aceasta piesa de teatru (o dramatizare facute de mine dupa opera lui Mircea Eliade) a fost realiz... more Aceasta piesa de teatru (o dramatizare facute de mine dupa opera lui Mircea Eliade) a fost realizata pentru Radio Romania Cultural. Este pe YouTube (search Elena Ene Draghici-Vasilescu).
Pricipala opera pe care am dramatizat-o pentru aceasta piesa este romanul 'Noaptea de Sanziene'. Am inclus si comentarii ale lui Eliade din L’épreuve du labyrinth'/'Încercarea Labirintului, care este o carte de conversatii pe care profesorul le-a avut cu Claude-Henri Rocquet.
This play (on youtube re Elena Ene Draghici-Vasilescu) is my translation of the dramatization entitled 'Iesirea din Labirint', which I made of Mircea Eliade's novel Noaptea de Sanziene/The Forbidded Forest. The play is broadcast on Romania Radio Cultural. I have also included within the play some of Eliade's thoughts from the book L’épreuve du labyrinth'/'Încercarea Labirintului/'The Ordeal by Labyrinth', which is a collections of conversations Eliade had with Claude-Henri Rocquet.
YouTube, 2023
This play (on YouTube re Elena Ene Draghici-Vasilescu) is my translation of the dramatization ent... more This play (on YouTube re Elena Ene Draghici-Vasilescu) is my translation of the dramatization entitled 'Iesirea din Labirint', which I made of Mircea Eliade's novel Noaptea de Sanziene/The Forbidded Forest. The play is broadcast on Romania Radio Cultural. I have also included within the play some of Eliade's thoughts from the book L’épreuve du labyrinth'/'Încercarea Labirintului/'The Ordeal by Labyrinth', which is a collections of conversations Eliade had with Claude-Henri Rocquet.
'Amintiri de călătorie prin viaţă. Întâlniri şi întâmplări' (prima parte), 2023
The book is a professional biography, which I wrote during my vacations. 'Amintiri de călătorie... more The book is a professional biography, which I wrote during my vacations.
'Amintiri de călătorie prin viaţă. Întâlniri şi întâmplări' (prima parte); it will come out in English as 'Memories of journeying through life. Encounters and happenings (the first part).
Published in Oxford by Vasilescu Academic.
Études bibliologiques/Library Research Studies 3, pp. 65-73, 2021
This article is about the library which Mavrocordatos family created. It refers to all three of i... more This article is about the library which Mavrocordatos family created. It refers to all three of its branches: Constantinople, Chios, and Văcăreşti, but focuses especially on the latter. The library within the monastery near Bucharest was one of the most complete of its day, and it was well known even in the West.
Some of its content is presented in my text, including its various catalogues; the scholars who worked on these compilations will also be mentioned.
Key words:
books, Mavrocordatos family, Văcăreşti, Chios, the Danubian Principalities
The Royal Historical Society, UK., 2023
This Fellowship allows me to work more and publish with prestigious publishing houses.
The report of my work in 2022 (and some in 2021). This is just a partial report, 2022
The report of my work in 2022 (and some in 2021). This is just a partial report
IKON, 2022
This is a review written by Prof. Marina Vicelja-Matijasic concerning my books: Michelangelo, the... more This is a review written by Prof. Marina Vicelja-Matijasic concerning my books: Michelangelo, the Byzantines, and Plato; Creation and Time. Byzantine and Modern, as well as Glimpses into Byzatium. Its Philosophy and Arts.
The South-Wales and Wales Late Antique, Early Medieval, and Byzantine Network Colloquium (SWW LAEMB Network), i.e. the Second Annual Summer Colloquium on the theme of Connectivity and Networks, 300-1200 CE; the 3rd of June , 2021
In the literature concerning Byzantium usually the historical phenomena are analysed as they... more In the literature concerning Byzantium usually the historical phenomena are analysed as they took place along the Eastern-Western axis of its territory. What my paper proposes is an alternative to this approach.
Because of the need to circulate goods between the Mediterranean and the North Sea, roads were constructed to connect the two, and along these both merchandises (textiles, metal objects, etc.) and cultural items as manuscripts, ivory for book covers, pigments for painting, etc. were transported. The same thoroughfares and points of connection within a large network were used for religious purposes and by the military.
I adduce testimonies to make a strong argument that the division ‘North-South’ within the Empire was as important as that ‘East-West’.
Bulletin of Patristic Studies, 2021
This is the annual Bulletin of the International_Association_of_Patristic_Studies.pdf in which th... more This is the annual Bulletin of the International_Association_of_Patristic_Studies.pdf in which the works of its memebers are mentioned (for 2021 I have 10 mentions).
CREATION AND TIME. BYZANTINE AND MODERN, 2021
The book investigates how the concept of time was understood in the period between the second and... more The book investigates how the concept of time was understood in the period between the second and the seventh centuries. It also focuses in chapter 8 on the manner in which this notion was reconsidered by some modern and contemporary scholars, in particular Paul Tillich.
Glimpses into Byzantium. Its philosophy and arts, 2021
This volume contains peer-reviewed articles published by the author either in hard-copy or in ele... more This volume contains peer-reviewed articles published by the author either in hard-copy or in electronic format between 2019 and 2021. These focus on various aspects of Byzantine and Medieval culture.
The book connects Michelangelo’s education within an environment marked by Byzantine artistic pre... more The book connects Michelangelo’s education within an environment marked by Byzantine artistic presence with his work. There are no books that underscore the exposure of the Florentine artist to the culture of Byzantium, and this volume fills that gap.
This volume contains peer-reviewed articles published by the author either in hard-copy or in ele... more This volume contains peer-reviewed articles published by the author either in hard-copy or in electronic format between 2019 and 2021. These focus on various aspects of Byzantine and Medieval culture.
The book investigates how the concept of time was understood in the period between the second and... more The book investigates how the concept of time was understood in the period between the second and the seventh centuries. It also focuses in chapter 8 on the manner in which this notion was reconsidered by some modern and contemporary scholars, in particular Paul Tillich, because from among them he elaborated in most detail on these concepts.
The book contains nine chapters. Its Introduction sets out the theoretical framework that allows... more The book contains nine chapters. Its Introduction sets out the theoretical framework that allows a discussion with regard to the link between the sacred and the worldly domains in the context of Patristics thought and Byzantine culture. The rest of the chapters employ, among others, the works of Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, Clement of Alexandria, and Augustine that focus on the same subject-matter. Byzantine iconography is used in order to illustrate some of the ideas within the publication.
'Zeul cel Preainalt si frica de divinitate. Documente epigrafice din Europa si din Anatolia/[God Almighty and the Awe vis-à-vis Divinity], 2012
'Zeul cel Preainalt si frica de divinitate. Documente epigrafice din Europa si din Anatolia/[God ... more 'Zeul cel Preainalt si frica de divinitate. Documente epigrafice din Europa si din Anatolia/[God Almighty and the Awe vis-à-vis Divinity], Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University Press, Iași, 2012. The book has almost 400 public mentions.
This article has two distinct sections: the first discusses churches and the second schools in B... more This article has two distinct sections: the first discusses churches and the second schools in Byzantine Cappadocia. Between the fifth and the eleventh centuries the churches in this province of the empire were not only the places where the liturgy was performed, but also the social and spiritual centres of villages, towns, army garrisons, monastic complexes, etc. They fulfilled the same specific functions regardless of the purpose and scale concerning the settlements in which they were located. The article provides evidence to illustrate what these functions were and, to some extent, by which means they were accomplished. It also makes some suggestions with respect to the physical appearance of schools in the area. In so doing it allows plausible generalisations regarding the layout of other educational establishments throughout the empire. As known, there has not been substantial material published on this subject in the field of Byzantine Studies and any contribution made on this topic should be welcome.
The volume examines aspects of post-Byzantine iconography.
Scholar's Press, 2018
One of my chapters is entitled: "Is there progress in the sacred world? Patristic ideas up to the... more One of my chapters is entitled: "Is there progress in the sacred world? Patristic ideas up to the seventh century".
The volume contains chapters on Byzantine Studies and Theology by Prof. Andrew Louth, Sebastian Brock, Prof. Rowan Williams, Elena Ene D-Vasilescu, Clemena Antonova, Graham Speake, György Geréby, Elizabeth Theokritoff in Scholars' Press; to be found at (www.morebooks.shop).
My entry in this collective volume is about Gregory of Nyssa and the later reception of his work;... more My entry in this collective volume is about Gregory of Nyssa and the later reception of his work; it constitute chapter 55.
Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2018.04.39 , 2018
I draw the attention of the scholars interested in Patristics and the Byzantine Empire to a revie... more I draw the attention of the scholars interested in Patristics and the Byzantine Empire to a review in 'Bryn Mawr Classical Review' (2018.04.39) re: a book in which I have a chapter about Gregory of Nyssa.
The volume, in its second edition, is 'The Early Christian World' edited by Philip Francis Esler, London; New York: Routledge, 2017
The text is written by one of my colleagues in Oxford, Prof. Ine Jacobs.
'The Journal of Theological Studies', , 2018
This is a review concerning Anna Usacheva, 'Knowledge, Language, and Intellection from Origen t... more This is a review concerning Anna Usacheva, 'Knowledge, Language, and Intellection from Origen to Gregory Nazianzen. A Selective Survey', Oxford, New York et al., Peter Lang, Early Christianity in the Context of Antiquity, vol. 18, 2017, 214 pages.
Studia patristica, vol. 91, pp. 167-183., 2017
Details below: https://www.palgrave.com/…/www.palgra…/us/book/9783319893983 My chapter is mai... more Details below:
https://www.palgrave.com/…/www.palgra…/us/book/9783319893983
My chapter is mainly about how thinkers who lived in Byzantium discuss about St. Anne and how they represented Anna Galaktotrophousa/ lactans in some images (more of those are in a forthcoming volume).
St. Anne was popular with representatives of various segments of society – from monks, nuns, members of the clergy, royal patrons, to church-goers of every rank. This book looks into both the public and private worship of this holy woman and brings to the surface some under-exposed aspects of her cult. It does so through the examination of manuscripts, monumental art, relics, sculpture, and texts of various genres. The contributors employ a historical as well as a theological perspective on how the cult of St. Anne (sometimes also with glimpses concerning that of Joachim) established itself referring to areas in Europe which are not frequently discussed in English-language scholarship. This new contribution to the field of hagiography will be of interest to academics from a variety of research fields, including Byzantinists, theologians, art, and church historians, and historians of a larger scope.
Akropolis journal, pp. 169-184, 2017
The article examines the nature of the dogmatics found in the poetry written by Gregory of Nazian... more The article examines the nature of the dogmatics found in the poetry written by Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329-390) through a particular case-study, the poem On the Son. It demonstrates that his lyric composition contains the same doctrine conveyed by the orations authored by him and exposes the manner in which he employs similar terminology in works belonging to both genres. In order to attain its objective my article compares the above-mentioned piece with Orations 29 and 30 that bear the same title.
'Pseudo-Dionysiγus, a Statue, and the concept of Beauty' Pseudo-Dionysius compares the exper... more 'Pseudo-Dionysiγus, a Statue, and the concept of Beauty'
Pseudo-Dionysius compares the experience which constitutes the object of his treatise The Mystical Theology, that of spiritually and intellectually gaining access to the knowledge of ‘mysterious things’, with the process of carving a statue (ἄγαλμα). Evidently connecting his thoughts with Plotinus’s ideas in the First Ennead, the Syrian fathoms that if what is unnecessary – i.e. the outcome of human ‘affections’ – is removed from our souls and minds, we attain the ‘true vision’ about reality. Such a proceeding leads us to the encounter with the Divine; in fact, by subjecting ourselves to such an activity we connect to the authentic source for both what we gather through perception and what we contemplate through reason.
Works have been published about the way in which visual arts, especially Byzantine and post-Byzantine iconography, and also music as well as architecture were influenced by the Dionysian theology. The question is how justified these assumptions are, and my text attempts to evaluate this.
[I have been asked to upload a scanned copy of the article] The three famous Cappadocians who for... more [I have been asked to upload a scanned copy of the article]
The three famous Cappadocians who formed a ‘school’ in the fourth century AD complement one another in the way they envisaged the evolution of creation. St. Basil of Caesarea explains in his writings how this ‘mechanism’ operates in nature and his view is the closest to those of contemporary evolutionists. Gregory of Nyssa completes his ‘system’ with details concerning human evolution and proposes the doctrine of apokatastasis (restoration) of humankind after the Fall. St. Gregory Nazianzus subscribes to the latter, but he does not do it overtly – the respective notion is implied in his work in a “cautious, undogmatic” way, in Hanson’s qualification. All three Fathers of the Church believe that God will bring all creation into harmony with the Kingdom of Heaven.
This paper attempts to detect a conception of human evolution within the writings of Gregory of Nyssa; in order to do that, Basil’s thoughts are used as an introduction. The universal restoration which Gregory of Nyssa believes shall take place would mean for humanity both the fulfillment of its goal of a perfect moral development and its biological end (i.e. the ceasing of the human race’s progression); therefore it is difficult to treat the two ultimate ‘scenarios’ in separation. It seems that this Cappadocian father believes the number of the souls/humans to be limited in God’s mind where they originate. As is known, he thinks that creation is in the process of becoming fulfilled and this state of affairs will cease when the Restoration has been accomplished.
The Tetraevangel known as MS. Canon. Graeci. 122 was bought by the University of Oxford in 1817 f... more The Tetraevangel known as MS. Canon. Graeci. 122 was bought by the University of Oxford in 1817 from the heirs of Matteo Luigi Canonici (1727-c.1805/6).
As it is known, the collection of this Antiquarian consisted in 2046 manuscripts, which Cleminson describes as being “mostly in Latin and Italian, but with a substantial number of Greek and Hebrew items”. They also included “five Slavonic manuscripts: two Croatian glogolitic (sic) miscellanies, the famous Moldavian Gospel written by Gavrilo of Neamţu, a Russian Gospel codex, MS Canon. Lit. 413, and a 15th-century Serbian miscellany”.
This article presents various aspects concerning the history and iconography of MS. Canon. Graeci. 122 (Uric’s Gospel).
I have published versions of this text in two publications; please contact me for details.
Between Tradition and Modernity (this is a book), 2009
The volume examines aspects of post-Byzantine iconography.
In the fifth century the Byzantine rulers resettled Armenians in Macedonia -this was the beginnin... more In the fifth century the Byzantine rulers resettled Armenians in Macedonia -this was the beginning of the Armenian diaspora in the Balkans. Brought by history in various waves of immigration to the Romanian lands since the tenth century (they were attested for the first time in 967 at Cetatea Albă), Armenians even managed to have rulers on the throne in the territories that constitute present-day Romania. Ioan Vodă cel Cumplit [the Terrible] (1572-1574) is the best known.
The three famous Cappadocians who formed a 'school' in the fourth century AD complement one anoth... more The three famous Cappadocians who formed a 'school' in the fourth century AD complement one another in the way they envisaged the evolution of creation. St. Basil of Caesarea explains in his writings how this 'mechanism' operates in nature and his view is the closest to those of contemporary evolutionists. Gregory of Nyssa completes his 'system' with details concerning human evolution and proposes the doctrine of apokatastasis (restoration) of humankind after the Fall. St. Gregory Nazianzus subscribes to the latter, but he does not do it overtly -the respective notion is implied in his work in a "cautious, undogmatic" way, in Hanson's qualification.
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller eBooks, Oct 13, 2009
The government of Cameroon introduced changes to the county's constitution in the 1990s. These ch... more The government of Cameroon introduced changes to the county's constitution in the 1990s. These changes heralded a major overhaul of the system of governance in the direction of decentralization and community participation in local policy development, according local municipalities powers to make decisions on a significant
The Journal of Theological Studies, Aug 3, 2018
International Journal of History and Cultural Studies
Small icons, some of metal, were made especially by the Old Believers or Stavrophors, a sect that... more Small icons, some of metal, were made especially by the Old Believers or Stavrophors, a sect that appeared in Russia in the seventieth century. Its representatives split from the Orthodox Church in 1666 over variations to Christian rituals that had been performed for centuries. 1 The event that created the religious sect known as "the Old Believer"in Russia was triggered by some changes made by Patriarch Nikon of Moscow between 1652 and 1666. Those led to a rupture with the ancient Russian traditions; some of these refer to icons. 2 In the period mentioned, Russian society was split into two camps: the supporters of the reforms, "Nikonians", and their opponents, the Old Believers. The "Old Belief" was the largest opposition movement to emerge in Russia before 1905. What are the events that led to this move? By the middle of the seventeenth century Greek and Russian Church officials, including Patriarch Nikon of Moscow, had noticed discrepancies between contemporary to them Russian and Greek books used during religious services and hence between rituals based on them. These unrevised Muscovite service-books were derived from an older Greek recension. The notables mentioned above reached the conclusion that the Russian Orthodox Church had, as a result of errors in copying, developed rites and liturgical books of its own that had significantly deviated from the Greek originals. Thus, the Russian Orthodox Church had become dissonant with the other Orthodox churches.
Independent Publishing Network, 2021
The book investigates how the concept of time was understood in the period between the second and... more The book investigates how the concept of time was understood in the period between the second and the seventh centuries. It also focuses (in chapter 8) on the manner in which this notion was reconsidered by some modern and contemporary scholars, in particular Paul Tillich
Independent Publishing Network, 2021
This volume contains peer-reviewed articles published by the author either in hard-copy or in ele... more This volume contains peer-reviewed articles published by the author either in hard-copy or in electronic format between 2019 and 2021. These focus on various aspects of Byzantine and Medieval culture
The three famous Cappadocians who formed a ‘school’ in the fourth century AD complement one anoth... more The three famous Cappadocians who formed a ‘school’ in the fourth century AD complement one another in the way they envisaged the evolution of creation. St. Basil of Caesarea explains in his writings how this ‘mechanism’ operates in nature and his view is the closest to those of contemporary evolutionists. Gregory of Nyssa completes his ‘system’ with details concerning human evolution and proposes the doctrine of apokatastasis (restoration) of humankind after the Fall. St. Gregory Nazianzus subscribes to the latter, but he does not do it overtly – the respective notion is implied in his work in a “cautious, undogmatic” way, in Hanson’s qualification. All three Fathers of the Church believe that God will bring all creation into harmony with the Kingdom of Heaven. This paper attempts to detect a conception of human evolution within the writings of Gregory of Nyssa; in order to do that, Basil’s thoughts are used as an introduction. The universal restoration which Gregory of Nyssa belie...
The European Journal of Theology and Philosophy, 2024
One could say that we are human beings to the degree to which our conscience is developed. My pap... more One could say that we are human beings to the degree to which our conscience is developed.
My paper analyses the conscience from an ethical point of view and states that it is to be understood as the measure of morality within a person. [‘Moral’ refers to a sense of right and wrong, and ethics to the principles of “good” and “bad” agreed by a society].
Taking into consideration that there are people who feel an acute sense of guilt when committing a crime and others who feel nothing, my work tries to identify the factors responsible for such a state of affairs. Therefore, it deals with the question ‘Why are there considerable differences among people from the point of view of morality?’
I shall elaborate mainly on the role of education and genetic heritage, which are instrumental in the development of moral conscience within a person. Their influence in shaping it is ensured by the activity of the neurons and of other processes within the brain, which firstly produce the human consciousness. Other elements ‘grow’ on it.
Key words:
Moral conscience, consciousness, education, genetic heritage
Studia Patristica , 2017
Early Christians fathomed that the human soul, despite being created, transcends historical time... more Early Christians fathomed that the human soul, despite being created, transcends historical time; from a limited existence (peculiar to it as a created entity) it is apt to progress to the time of God, and thus to be redeemed. The argument of this paper is that they held such a conviction because of a genuine belief in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit within, and not because of a need to console themselves for disappointments in connection with eschatological promises, as some researchers suggested.
When comparing the writings of the Patristic authors who lived before the eighth century – because the works of those will be analysed here – from the perspective of how they treated the nexus time-salvation, one might at first be misled into believing that they propose two clearly distinct ways of approaching it: one metaphysical and one more explicitly concerned with it from the perspective of human history. But such a distinction does not do justice to the complexity of Patristic positions with regard to this connection. Nevertheless, for strictly practical purposes I shall group Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (fifth-sixth centuries) and Maximus the Confessor (c. 580-662) together as sharing more communalities between themselves than they do with the rest of the authors analysed here.
The European Journal of Theology and Philosophy, 2004
One could say that we are human beings to the degree to which our conscience is developed. My pap... more One could say that we are human beings to the degree to which our conscience is developed. My paper analyses the conscience from an ethical point of view and states that it is to be understood as the measure of morality within a person. ['Moral' refers to a sense of right and wrong, and ethics to the principles of "good" and "bad" agreed by a society]. Taking into consideration that there are people who feel an acute sense of guilt when committing a crime and others who feel nothing, my work tries to identify the factors responsible for such a state of affairs. Therefore, it deals with the question, "Why are there considerable differences among people from the point of view of morality?". I shall elaborate mainly on the role of education and genetic heritage, which are instrumental in the development of moral conscience within a person. Their influence in shaping it is ensured by the activity of the neurons and of other processes within the brain, which firstly produce the human consciousness. Other elements 'grow' on it.
Études bibliologiques/Library Research Studies 3 , 2022
This article is about the library set up by the Mavrocordatos family. It refers to all three of i... more This article is about the library set up by the Mavrocordatos family. It refers to all three of its branches: Constantinople, Chios and Văcăreşti, but focuses especially on the latter. The library in the monastery near Bucharest was one of the most complete of its days, and was well known even in the West. Some of its content is presented in my text, including its various catalogues; the scholars who worked on these compilations will also be mentioned. A project similar in its scope-the reconstitution of a library-has accomplished in the library of Peter Mohyla in Kiev.
International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, (IJHSSE), volume 10, Issue 6, pp. 25-29 , 2023
As we know, there is a difference between a simple wish and the will of an individual. Not only a... more As we know, there is a difference between a simple wish and the will of an individual. Not only a concrete action is required in order to alleviate the impact of various factors that inhibit the former before it becomes ‘will’, but also a deep level of human consciousness. It implies conscientious motivation, clear goals, etc.
My paper introduces some of the elements instrumental in the leap from the wish to the human will.
As the issue of Free Will shall be central to the paper because when I say ‘human will’ I refer to ‘free will’, I have to mention that I adopt a pragmatic perspective on this notion. I. e. even though, as quantum physics tell us, any decision we make is conditioned by realities pertaining to it, we do not think of this state of affair when we carry out our activities – at least not always. Because of that we feel free – free enough to be able to function according to social norms.
International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, (IJHSSE), volume 10, Issue 6, pp. 25-29 , 2023
As we know, there is a difference between a simple wish and the will of an individual. Not only a... more As we know, there is a difference between a simple wish and the will of an individual. Not only a concrete action is required in order to alleviate the impact of various factors that inhibit the former before it becomes ‘will’, but also a deep level of human consciousness. It implies conscientious motivation, clear goals, etc.
My paper introduces some of the elements instrumental in the leap from the wish to the human will.
As the issue of Free Will shall be central to the paper because when I say ‘human will’ I refer to ‘free will’, I have to mention that I adopt a pragmatic perspective on this notion. I. e. even though, as quantum physics tell us, any decision we make is conditioned by realities pertaining to it, we do not think of this state of affair when we carry out our activities – at least not always. Because of that we feel free – free enough to be able to function according to social norms.
International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, 2023
Abstract: As we know, there is a difference between a simple wish and the will of an individua... more Abstract:
As we know, there is a difference between a simple wish and the will of an individual. Not only a concrete action is required in order to alleviate the impact of various factors that inhibit the former before it becomes ‘will’, but also a deep level of human consciousness. It implies conscientious motivation, clear goals, etc.
My paper introduces some of the elements instrumental in the leap from the wish to the human will.
As the issue of Free Will shall be central to the paper because when I say ‘human will’ I refer to ‘free will’, I have to mention that I adopt a pragmatic perspective on this notion. Even thought any decision we make is conditioned by realities pertaining to it, we do not think of this state of affair when we carry out our activities – at least not always. Because of that we feel free – free enough to be able to function according to social norms.
Here is the link: https://doi.org/10.20431/2349-0381.1006003
PS
Every 10 years I revisit my ideas about Free Will - that since completing my doctorate. This is what I think about the topic of Free will at the moment.
Library Research Studies/Ét u d e s b i b l i o l o g i q u es 3, 2023
Abstract: This article is about the library which Mavrocordatos family created. It refers to all ... more Abstract:
This article is about the library which Mavrocordatos family created. It refers to all three of its branches: Constantinople, Chios, and Văcăreşti, but focuses especially on the latter. The library within the monastery near Bucharest was one of the most complete of its day, and it was well known even in the West.
Some of its content is presented in my text, including its various catalogues; the scholars who worked on these compilations will also be mentioned.
A project similar in its scope – the reconstitution of a library – has been realized with respect to the library of Peter Mohyla in Kiev.
Key words:
books, Mavrocordatos family, Văcăreşti, Chios, the Danubian Principalities
European Journal of Theology and Philosophy
The main novelty my article brings concerns a particular iconographic motif: that known as the ‘t... more The main novelty my article brings concerns a particular iconographic motif: that known as the ‘trial by the water of reproach’. In the few cases where this is rendered, usually only Mary is presented as undergoing this test, but in Cappadocian art Joseph is also subjected to it. Additionally, to this visual topic, another one that is rarely depicted will be introduced and commented upon: that known as ‘Christ’s first bath’. I will provide a particular example: the fresco which constitutes part of the decoration that embellishes the walls of Karabaş Kilise/ ‘The Big Church’ in Soğanlı Valley, southern Cappadocia. A few images – one of them never published before – have been included within this publication.
Journal of Art and Design, 2023, 3(1), pp. 22-27, 2023
The article is about the finding (after stealing) and restauration of the frescos from the Church... more The article is about the finding (after stealing) and restauration of the frescos from the Church of Evphemianos, near Lysi, Cyprus. These wall-paintings have been dated to the thirteenth century. A team of British specialists lead by Laurence J. Morroco restored them and put them back in situ in 2012.
Romanoslavica, vol. 58, issue 1, pp. 62-96, 2022
Pieces of enamel jewellery, usually wrought in gold, appear from time to time, in addition to coi... more Pieces of enamel jewellery, usually wrought in gold, appear from time to time, in addition to coins, in hoards discovered on the territory of the former Kievan Rus’. This is, for instance, the case with a cloisonné enamel and gold pendant that represent sirens; it dates to the twelfth century and today is on display within the Hermitage Museum. It was found in 1885 in Troitsky (Rylsky) Pereulok in Kiev.
This particular technique (enamel) is known to have been peculiar to the area from the beginning of the eleventh century; the end of that century and the next constituted its maximum period of transmission.
The paper attempts to place the production of this golden pendant in the cultural context of its time. Can Byzantine influences be detected in this work? If so, how did these reach the area? Did Byzantine artistic workshops function there, as they did, for instance, in Italy from the twelfth century on (In Italy workshops that made mosaic existed in the thirteenth century; see those in Venice producing tesserae for San Marco)?
Key words: gold pendant/jewellery; Medieval Rus’; Byzantium; San Marco, Venice; iconographer; Constantinople, iconography; Byzantine Masters; Egypt
Encyclopaedia of Patristic Studies, 2020
Common elements within the writings of Gregory of Nyssa and Dionysius the Areopagite The ... more Common elements within the writings of Gregory of Nyssa and Dionysius the Areopagite
The common elements to be found in the works of Gregory of Nyssa and Dionysius the Areopagite are as follows: 1) the existence of three main stages of spiritual life; 2) the affirmation that, from an ontological point of view, evil does not exist; 3) the belief in the actuality of free will; 4) intimations that the progress of the soul – epektasis – continues in the afterlife, and 5) analogous conceptions regarding the creation of the world.
In this text I will only refer to the first two of those similarities. I need to underline that the perspectives of the two authors on the above issues are not identical in every regard; they agree on those in principle, but on some aspects of them each has a specific view.
by Waldemar Deluga, Mat Immerzeel, Magdalena Łaptaś, Elena Ene Draghici-Vasilescu (see also Elena Ene D-Vasilescu), Satenik Chookaszian, Anatole Upart, Irina Hayuk, HENRYK PAPROCKI, Series Byzantina, Seyranush Manukyan, Sofia Korol', marta fedak, and Anna Karapetian
Spis treści/ Contents: WALDEMAR DELUGA, MIROSŁAW P. KRUK, Studies on Byzantine and Post-Byzantine... more Spis treści/ Contents: WALDEMAR DELUGA, MIROSŁAW P. KRUK, Studies on Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art in Central and Eastern Europe; SERGEJ KLIMOVSKI, Two new stone icons from Kiev; LARISA ČLENOVA, A Byzantine relief St. George with the scenes of his life; PIOTR GROTOWSKI, The legend of St. George Saving a Youth from Captivity and its depiction in art; ALEKSANDRA SULIKOWSKA, "New Constantinople." Byzantine tradition in Muscovite Rus' in the 16th century; MARIA HELYTOVYČ, Icons of the 1560s associated with "Dmytrij"; CONSTANTA COSTEA, Une nouvelle réplique slavonne du Paris gr. 74-seven decades after; MIROSLAW P. KRUK, The Lvov Oktoich of 1630 in the collection of the Jagiellonian Library in Cracow; OKSANA YURCHYSHYN-SMYTH, The printing house of the Monastery of Trei Ierarhi in Iasi and its staff; AGNIESZKA GRONEK, On the dependence of Ruthenian Passion presentations on Western graphics in the 16th to 18th centuries Wyd. / Editor Neriton, Warszawa 2003; ISBN 83-88973-65-7 (178 pp.) VOL. II, 2004 Spis treści/ Contents: WALDEMAR DELUGA, Wstęp [Introduction]; BARBARA DĄB-KALINOWSKA, Warsztat historyka sztuki i źródła [Art historian's apparatus and sources]; KS. MICHAŁ JANOCHA, Słowa a obraz: źródła literackie do dziejów estetyki i sztuki bizantyńskiej [Words and image: literary sources for the history of Byzantine aesthetics and arts]; JÓZEF NAUMOWICZ, Posąg Chrystusa z Paneas w źródłach patrystycznych i bizantyńskich [The Statue of Christ from Paneas in patristic and Byzantine sources]; PIOTR ŁUKASZ GROTOWSKI, Konstantynopol w oczach Haruna ibn Yahja i Dobryni Jędrzejkowicza-kilka uwag o wartości relacji przybyszów odwiedzających stolicę Cesarstwa [Constantinople in the eyes of Harun ibn Yahja and Dobrynia Jędrzejkowicz: some remarks on the value of travel relations by visitors to the capital of the Empire]; TAMARA SZTYMA, Wpływy tradycji żydowskiej w sztuce wczesnochrześcijańskiej i bizantyńskiej [The influence of Jewish tradition on the early Christian and Byzantine art]; SŁAWOMIR SKRZYNIARZ, Domniemany podręcznik malarski Ulpiosa
Art of the Armenian Diaspora. Proceedings of the Conference, Zamość, April 28-30, 2010
The second International Conference of Byzantine Studies and Eastern Middle Ages, 25 of March The session can be followed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIcN56fRiVw ; my main talk is from 41’ 18’’, 2021
This article presents unpublished images that survived from the time when Cappadocia was a provin... more This article presents unpublished images that survived from the time when Cappadocia was a province of the Byzantine Empire. It adduces supplementary information to that provided by the most recent works about this geographical area: my article “Shrines and Schools in Byzantine Cappadocia” (2019), and Robert G. Ousterhout’s book 'Visualizing Community: Art, Material Culture, and Settlement in Byzantine Cappadocia' (2017). One novelty my talk brings is to indicate the fact that, even though traditionally only Mary is presented as undergoing the test, in the Cappadocian art Joseph is also subjected to it.
Additionally to this iconographic motif, my piece shows and comments on an unpublished image that represent a very rare topic known in iconography as ‘Christ’s first bath’, which is a part of the decoration that embellishes the walls of Karabaş Kilise, or, in translation, ‘The Big Church’, in Soğanlı Valley, southern Cappadocia.
The literary sources for both these visual themes are the apocryphal texts known as the 'Protoevangelion of James' and the 'Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew'.
The common elements to be found in the works of Gregory of Nyssa and Dionysius the Areopagite are... more The common elements to be found in the works of Gregory of Nyssa and Dionysius the Areopagite are as follows: 1) the existence of three main stages of spiritual life; 2) the affirmation that, from an ontological point of view, evil does not exist; 3) the belief in the actuality of free will; 4) intimations that the progress of the soul-epektasis-continues in the afterlife, and 5) analogous conceptions regarding the creation of the world.
This is my current project and not certain when I finish it since a few others are to be completed.
In the article published in Byzantinoslavica, vol. 65, 2007 about the so-called ‘Temple icon’ in ... more In the article published in Byzantinoslavica, vol. 65, 2007 about the so-called ‘Temple icon’ in London, I argue that this piece on cloth in wax encaustic technique (now in a private collection) dates from the fourth century. In doing so I opposed the estimation of it belonging to the sixth-seventh centuries made, among others, by Robin Cormack. Within that piece I brought evidence in connection to Mary. In the current paper I provide information which refers especially to the way the infant Jesus is depicted within the icon in order to back this dating: Christ is shown wearing a tunic with purple clavi, a bulla, and an earring in the manner Roman children display in the portraits that survived from the third-fourth centuries AD. There are depictions of youngsters similar to such a rendering at Antinoopolis (c. AD 250-300) and Fayum (four century).
Additionally, I add a later observation concerning the Virgin: there are communalities between the icon in the UK and the Hodegetria wood panel in the chapel of St. Francisca Romana, which has been certainly attested to the fifth century - nuclear magnetic resonance sensors have been used for such a purpose. The most striking common features are the style in which the face of Mary is depicted and the manner in which the expression of her eyes has been rendered in both icons. Moreover, the shape of Mary’s vestment around the neck and its general appearance are the same in both icons.
The pieces date from the pre-iconoclastic period and were transported from the East in countries pertaining to Western Christendom: the icon in Rome by Angelo Frangipane (in the fifth or sixth century), the other one probably by merchants or Napoleon’s army (to France, from where Richard Temple and Laurence Morocco brought it to the UK).
The paper refers to a notion central to Gregory of Nyssa’s theology – that of epektasis (ἐπέkτασι... more The paper refers to a notion central to Gregory of Nyssa’s theology – that of epektasis (ἐπέkτασις), i.e. progression of the soul (ἡ ψυχή) towards its Creator, as presented in the dialogue De anima et resurrectione/On the Soul and the Resurrection.
The conversation between Nyssen and his sister Macrina, employing concepts peculiar to the most advanced science of their time, emphasizes that in the afterlife the soul does not leave the body (and neither does human memory). The interesting consequences of this state of affairs for both the resurrection of people and that of Jesus Christ are also discussed.
Between the fifth and the eleventh centuries the churches in Cappadocia were not only the places ... more Between the fifth and the eleventh centuries the churches in Cappadocia were not only the places where the Liturgy was performed, but also the social and spiritual centres of villages, towns, army garrisons, monastic complexes, etc. They fulfilled the same specific functions regardless of the purpose and scale of the settlements in which they were located. The paper provides evidence to illustrate what these functions were and, to some extent, by which means they were accomplished. It also presents some thoughts about a contentious subject in the field of Byzantine Studies – the character of the schools across the Empire; through some knowledge about those that existed in this part of Anatolia we might be able to effect some generalizations about the others.
The article examines the nature of the dogmatics that is to be found in the poetry created by . I... more The article examines the nature of the dogmatics that is to be found in the poetry created by . It indicates that it contains the same doctrine that is found in Nazianzen's orations and exposes the manner in which it employes a similar terminology.
In his treatise The Mystical Theology Pseudo-Dionysius compares the praxis of such a spiritual an... more In his treatise The Mystical Theology Pseudo-Dionysius compares the praxis of such a spiritual and intellectual endeavour [that of mystical experience] with the process of carving a statue.
Evidently connecting his thoughts with Plotinus’s ideas in the First Ennead, the Syrian fathoms that if apophatically what is unnecessary, i. e. the outcome concerning the activity of human ‘affections’, removes itself from our souls and minds we attain the ‘true vision’ about reality. Such a proceeding leads us to the encounter with the Divine; in fact, by subjecting ourselves to it we connect ourselves to the authentic source for both what we gather through perception and what we contemplate through reason.
Works have been published about the way in which visual arts, especially Byzantine and post-Byzantine iconography, and also music as well as architecture were influenced by Dionysian theology. The question is how justified are these assumptions.
This article focuses on Gregory Nazianzus’s poem 'On the Son'. It analyses how the content of thi... more This article focuses on Gregory Nazianzus’s poem 'On the Son'. It analyses how the content of this piece of poetry referring to the relationship between the divine Father and Son mirrors ideas on this theme expressed in his theological writings in prose.
‘Byzantium then and now’,, 2023
This was an exhibition of icons realized today, but according to Byzantine Manuals. I curated it.... more This was an exhibition of icons realized today, but according to Byzantine Manuals. I curated it.
The display took place in Wolfson College, University of Oxford, between 23 April and 24 June, 2023.
I have posted on ‘You tube’ a film I made about it; please see the following: The exhibition of Post Byzantine icons ‘Byzantium then and Now’ 2023 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?vSVA_h6S42uk).
More details are on the college's website, but I didn't ask for permission to distribute the information there.
You Tube, 2023
I have posted on 'You tube' a film I made about this display of icons realized today in accordanc... more I have posted on 'You tube' a film I made about this display of icons realized today in accordance to Byzantine Hermeneias/Manuals. Please see the following link: The exhibition of Post Byzantine icons 'Byzantium then and Now' 2023-YouTube (https:// www.youtube.com/watch?vSVA_h6S42uk). The event is still posted on Wolfson College's website, but I have not asked for permission to include the details here.
You Tube, 2023
I have posted on 'You tube' a film I made about this display of icons realized today in accordanc... more I have posted on 'You tube' a film I made about this display of icons realized today in accordance to Byzantine Hermeneias/Manuals. Please see the following link: The exhibition of Post Byzantine icons 'Byzantium then and Now' 2023-YouTube (https:// www.youtube.com/watch?vSVA_h6S42uk). The event is still posted on Wolfson College's website, but I have not asked for permission to include the details here.
“How Byzantine art became 'Crusader art'?”, 2023
It has been suggested that we should publicize our courses for 2022-2023. Therefore, please regis... more It has been suggested that we should publicize our courses for 2022-2023. Therefore, please register for the following:
“How Byzantine art became 'Crusader art'?”
https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/how-byzantine-art-became-crusader-art
Dr. Elena Ene Draghici-Vasilescu
You Tube; International Association of Patristic Studies/Association Internationale d’Études Patristiques (IAPS/AIEP), 2020
“Common elements within the writings of Gregory of Nyssa and Dionysius” – was posted on ‘YouTube’... more “Common elements within the writings of Gregory of Nyssa and Dionysius” – was posted on ‘YouTube’ by the International Association of Patristic Studies/Association Internationale d’Études Patristiques (IAPS/AIEP): https://youtu.be/mBxfkPhd1iA; 5th of December, 2020.
The written version of the text has also been uploaded.
Elena Draghici-Vasilescu, Common elements.pdf - Google Drive (for the text of the talk).
Here is the Abstract:
The common elements to be found in the works of Gregory of Nyssa and Dionysius the Areopagite are as follows: 1) the existence of three main stages of spiritual life; 2) the affirmation that, from an ontological point of view, evil does not exist; 3) the belief in the actuality of free will; 4) intimations that the progress of the soul – epektasis – continues in the afterlife, and 5) analogous conceptions regarding the creation of the world.
In this text I will only refer to the first two of those similarities. I need to underline that the perspectives of the two authors on the above issues are not identical in every regard; they agree on those in principle, but on some aspects of them each has a specific view.
This is my current project and not certain when I finish it since a few others are to be completed.
Call for papers, 2020
Call for papers I am organizing a conference on the following topic: “Time and the creation of t... more Call for papers
I am organizing a conference on the following topic: “Time and the creation of the World in the texts of Patristic/Byzantine authors”. The event takes place on the 2nd of May, in Florey Room, Wolfson College.
Scholarly contributions are welcome.
For details contact Dr. Elena Ene D-Vasilescu: elena.ene-v@wolfson.ox.ac.uk".
These are the classes I am teaching for the University of Oxford in the academic year 2019-2020.
The second International Conference of Byzantine Studies and Eastern Middle Ages, 25 of March The session can be followed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIcN56fRiVw ; my main talk is from 41’ 18’’, 2021
This article presents unpublished images that survived from the time when Cappadocia was a provin... more This article presents unpublished images that survived from the time when Cappadocia was a province of the Byzantine Empire. It adduces supplementary information to that provided by the most recent works about this geographical area: my article “Shrines and Schools in Byzantine Cappadocia” (2019), and Robert G. Ousterhout’s book Visualizing Community: Art, Material Culture, and Settlement in Byzantine Cappadocia (2017). One novelty my talk brings is to indicate the fact that, even though traditionally only Mary is presented as undergoing the test, in the Cappadocian art Joseph is also subjected to it.
Additionally to this iconographic motif, my piece shows and comments on an unpublished image that represent a very rare topic known in iconography as ‘Christ’s first bath’, which is a part of the decoration that embellishes the walls of Karabaş Kilise, or, in translation, ‘The Big Church’, in Soğanlı Valley, southern Cappadocia.
The literary sources for both these visual themes are the apocryphal texts known as the Protoevangelion of James and the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew.