DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.23925#0260
182
SUMMARY
importance of the pagan cult of the sun in late antiąuity. Christian artists took up from pagan art
almost all iconographic formulae to represent the sun — from the chariot of Helios through statues
and busts to symbols of the sun such as a star and a circle. There is a distinct similarity between
Christian art and literaturę which drew from pagan literaturę all descriptions of god of light,
ascribing them to Christ. Even today, after many decades of research it is still difficult to solve the
problem whether these images of Christ-Helios were introduced in order to oppose pagan idolatry, or
because they perfectly expressed the idea of Christ as being "the Light of the world" and at the same
time they introduced believers to the understanding of the mystery of his divinity. One may suppose
that both these aspects were eąually important. It is also most probable that the representations of
Christ as the Sun became so popular, because they reminded the Christians of the beautiful truth that
after death "shall the righteous shine forth as the sun" as shines Christ Transfigured, Resurrected and
coming for the Last Judgement.
Throughout the whole Middle Ages as well as in the centuries that followed Christ-the Sun
appeared in art in various iconographic formulae. Also today 1500 years after the pagan cult of the
sun had been assimilated, not always consciously, when visiting churches, participating in the Holy
Mass, celebrating Christmas and Easter we stand "face to face" with the mystery of the true Sun.
Translated by the Author
SUMMARY
importance of the pagan cult of the sun in late antiąuity. Christian artists took up from pagan art
almost all iconographic formulae to represent the sun — from the chariot of Helios through statues
and busts to symbols of the sun such as a star and a circle. There is a distinct similarity between
Christian art and literaturę which drew from pagan literaturę all descriptions of god of light,
ascribing them to Christ. Even today, after many decades of research it is still difficult to solve the
problem whether these images of Christ-Helios were introduced in order to oppose pagan idolatry, or
because they perfectly expressed the idea of Christ as being "the Light of the world" and at the same
time they introduced believers to the understanding of the mystery of his divinity. One may suppose
that both these aspects were eąually important. It is also most probable that the representations of
Christ as the Sun became so popular, because they reminded the Christians of the beautiful truth that
after death "shall the righteous shine forth as the sun" as shines Christ Transfigured, Resurrected and
coming for the Last Judgement.
Throughout the whole Middle Ages as well as in the centuries that followed Christ-the Sun
appeared in art in various iconographic formulae. Also today 1500 years after the pagan cult of the
sun had been assimilated, not always consciously, when visiting churches, participating in the Holy
Mass, celebrating Christmas and Easter we stand "face to face" with the mystery of the true Sun.
Translated by the Author