Byzantine Icons: A miracle of Art and Faith
Orthodox icons, icons of Christ, the our Holy Lady Theotokos (Panagia) and the Saints, are considered a timeless and the most unwavering bridge that unites man with God. What is it that differentiates the art of byzantine iconography from other types of religious art or techniques that have been used throughout time, such as for example renaissance art? Why do Orthodox icons have an inner power and are full...
The secret behind fr Paisios’ universality
The elder with the three names and the millions of faithful Every year on 12th July, a seething amount of people gather at the Hermitage of St John the Theologian to honour the memory of St Paisios the Athonite. As a figure, St Paisios is held dearly in the hearts of the faithful, even though most of them have only heard or read about him, and is considered the most...
The Feast of Epiphany celebrates the new beginning of mankind
Epiphany is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the liturgical Christian year, together with Christmas, Easter, the Annunciation, the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, the Holy Transfiguration, the Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), the Raising of Lazarus, the Ascension of Christ, the Dormition of Theotokos and the Pentecost. Epiphany, also called Theophany (meaning manifestation of God), is celebrated on 6th January and commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ...
The Essence of Byzantine Hagiography Art
Byzantine hagiography acts as a bridge between humanity and the divine, in the sense that holy depictions of Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ and the Saints, enabling the faithful to feel closer to the object of worship. In depicting religious icons, there are specific rules: Artists must faithfully attribute the features of saints, as these have been handed down either by older written texts or by various artistic means, referred to...
The Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero
The Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which was destroyed on 9/11 in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York, is expected to finish reconstruction within 2021. In order make sure the church opens its doors within 2021, the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a new non-profit organization called “The Friends of Saint Nicholas” with an independent board consisting of thirteen members has taken on...
El Greco Retrospective at the Grand Palais, Galerie sud-est, open until February 2020
A major retrospective exhibition dedicated to the leading Greek Renaissance artist Domenikos Theotokopoulos, known the world over as El Greco, is on display at the Galerie sud-est at the Grand Palais in Paris until February 10. The exhibition includes more than 60 works by the great Renaissance painter, on loan from 47 museums and collections in Europe, the USA, and Canada. Among the works are two that El Greco...
Two Collections Meet at the Thessaloniki Byzantine Museum
On November 30, 2015, the Thessaloniki Municipality lent the Museum of Byzantine Culture icons and holy relics from the Municipal Art Gallery collection for a period of 30 years. This decision was based on the rationale that the Gallery’s displays would be preserved and maintained in the best way possible on the Museum’s premises. Two Exhibitions Meet displays conserved works—129 icons and holy relics—23 of which will be presented...
The Custom of the Vasilopita in the Eastern Orthodox Church
Ever since prehistoric times people have linked all rituals - be they traditional celebrations or religious events - with food. Dozens of agricultural feasts and all religious rites, such as baptisms and funerals, are accompanied by the offering of victuals. Almost every ancient sanctuary also sports a nearby dining area, a practice that was continued by the Christian religion. The slicing of the vasilopita could not but be the continuation of...
