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Apse Decoration in the Light of Eucharistic Liturgy: Theophanies in the Medieval Churches of Lebanon
Series: - Mediterranean Art Histories, Volume: 8
Author:
This book explores the liturgical significance of Theophany and Theophany–Deesis imagery in Eastern Christian sanctuaries, with a special focus on medieval Lebanese examples. It reveals how these sacred apsidal images visually enriched the eucharistic liturgy, bringing Christ, angels and saints into the heart of worship. Drawing on rare unpublished evidence, this study illustrates how these depictions bridge earthly and heavenly liturgies, transforming the spiritual experience and theological understanding of both clergy and the faithful. By challenging traditional views, the book also highlights the vibrant cultural interactions between East and West that shaped the religious and artistic traditions of the medieval Mediterranean world.
Rafca Youssef Nasr, PhD (2017, University of Poitiers, Lebanese University), is Assistant Professor at the University of Fribourg and PI of the SNSF PRIMA Project on female patronage. Her research interests include Eastern Christian art, cross-cultural interactions, image materiality, gender and archaeography.
Acknowledgements
List of Maps, Figures and Plates
Introduction
1 Liturgical Theophanies
1 Theophanies through Exegetical and Liturgical Sources
1.1 The Theme of the Theophany in the Eucharistic Liturgy
1.2 The Sacred Image and Divine Presence of Christ in His Earthly Temple
1.3 The Function of the Theophany and Its Correlation with the Liturgy as an Icon
1.4 The Heavenly Liturgy, the Earthly Liturgy and the Presence of God in Majesty
2 The Iconographic Tradition of Liturgical Theophanies
2.1 Early Christian Programmes and Eucharistic Components
2.2 Medieval Programmes and Eucharistic Components
3 Synthesis
2 Theophanies in Lebanon and the Eucharistic Liturgy
1 Iconographic Tradition in Lebanon
1.1 The Gesture of Speech and the Priesthood of the Lord
1.2 The Draped Throne–Altar
1.3 The Celestial Bodies
1.4 The Four Living Creatures
1.5 The Four-winged and Six-winged Angels
1.6 The Two Supplicants
2 Iconographic Programmes
2.1 Mar Tadros in Behdidat
2.2 Saydet el-Kharayeb in Kfar Helda
2.3 Saydet Naya in Kfar Shleiman
2.4 Mar Semaan in Saqiet el-Kheit
2.5 Mar Mitr in Kusba
2.6 Mar Sarkis and Bakhos in Kaftun
2.7 Saydet el-Rih in Enfeh
2.8 The Chapel Attached to Mar Girgis in Rashkida: Sts Peter and Paul (?)
Conclusion
Appendix: Presentation of the Lebanese Corpus
1 Mar Tadros in Behdidat
2 Saydet el-Kharayeb in Kfar Helda
3 Saydet Naya in Kfar Shleiman
4 Mar Semaan in Saqiet el-Kheit
5 Mar Mitr in Kusba
6 Mar Sarkis and Bakhos in Kaftun
7 Saydet el-Rih in Enfeh
8 The Chapel Attached to Mar Girgis in Rashkida: Sts Peter and Paul (?)
Bibliography
Index
List of Maps, Figures and Plates
Introduction
1 Liturgical Theophanies
1 Theophanies through Exegetical and Liturgical Sources
1.1 The Theme of the Theophany in the Eucharistic Liturgy
1.2 The Sacred Image and Divine Presence of Christ in His Earthly Temple
1.3 The Function of the Theophany and Its Correlation with the Liturgy as an Icon
1.4 The Heavenly Liturgy, the Earthly Liturgy and the Presence of God in Majesty
2 The Iconographic Tradition of Liturgical Theophanies
2.1 Early Christian Programmes and Eucharistic Components
2.2 Medieval Programmes and Eucharistic Components
3 Synthesis
2 Theophanies in Lebanon and the Eucharistic Liturgy
1 Iconographic Tradition in Lebanon
1.1 The Gesture of Speech and the Priesthood of the Lord
1.2 The Draped Throne–Altar
1.3 The Celestial Bodies
1.4 The Four Living Creatures
1.5 The Four-winged and Six-winged Angels
1.6 The Two Supplicants
2 Iconographic Programmes
2.1 Mar Tadros in Behdidat
2.2 Saydet el-Kharayeb in Kfar Helda
2.3 Saydet Naya in Kfar Shleiman
2.4 Mar Semaan in Saqiet el-Kheit
2.5 Mar Mitr in Kusba
2.6 Mar Sarkis and Bakhos in Kaftun
2.7 Saydet el-Rih in Enfeh
2.8 The Chapel Attached to Mar Girgis in Rashkida: Sts Peter and Paul (?)
Conclusion
Appendix: Presentation of the Lebanese Corpus
1 Mar Tadros in Behdidat
2 Saydet el-Kharayeb in Kfar Helda
3 Saydet Naya in Kfar Shleiman
4 Mar Semaan in Saqiet el-Kheit
5 Mar Mitr in Kusba
6 Mar Sarkis and Bakhos in Kaftun
7 Saydet el-Rih in Enfeh
8 The Chapel Attached to Mar Girgis in Rashkida: Sts Peter and Paul (?)
Bibliography
Index
This book will appeal to specialists and students of art history, liturgical studies and medieval studies. It is relevant for researchers examining cultural, artistic and religious interactions in the medieval Mediterranean; and libraries and institutes focussed on Eastern Christian and Mediterranean art and history.