DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.24719#0078
THE BYZANTINE CHURCH AND ITS CEREMONIES,
UNDER JUSTINIAN AND HIS SUCCESSORS.
EO ALLATIUS lias left us a volume which, to those who study Christian
archmology, is extremely interesting, since the author of it, who was thoroughly
versed in all relating to the construction and ceremonies of the primitive
Church, clearly explains the principles upon which Byzantine churches were
erected, and gives a reason for every part of the building, — but as it is
written in Greek and Latin, its contents are not accessible to every one.
Wo have had occasion, in studying the numerous monuments of the East, to remark
how correct and precise the descriptions of this author generally are. A short analysis of his
letters will not therefore, be out of place in a work professing to treat of the principles of
B zantine architecture, as it will tend to guide architects and archteologists in subsequent
researches and above all, in the study of the Christian monuments of the interior of Greece,
which are but little known.
Leo Allatius begins by deploring the state of the Christian Church, in the midst of
Mussulman nations, and the difficulties experienced by Christians when they intended to
erect a new church or repair a church that had been burnt or was falling into decay. Yet
in many cases they obtained permission to build a new church on ground which had
been already consecrated by the erection of one more ancient. There are, nevertheless, in
Greece, many remarkable churches; but they are far from exhibiting, either internally or
externally all the conditions necessary for the performance of divine worship. There are some
which present only a rustic appearance; others, on account of the difficulties presented by the
"round are shortened and deformed; others have been crushed in on account of the thinness
of the walls and the weight of the roof; but such as they are, they are still to be regarded
with veneration; and the fact of their accommodating large congregations gives them a beauty
which is wanting in the mere building.
The Byzantine Church in its complete development, and arrayed in the manner that
it should be for the performance of solemn ceremonies, ought to be designed in the following
manner :_The church should stand in the midst of a square plot large enough for the purpose.
It is desirable that it should he possible -to pass all round the building, in order to gain a view
of every side of it. The plot of ground should he paved with brick or stone. In monasteries,
the plot should be quite free from barriers, walls, or other obstructions, and should be
occupied only by the cells of the monks. Here and there trees of such description as do
not shed their leaves, and such as give a thick shade, should be planted, to moderate the heat
of the sun. Yet in towns, in order that the edifice be kept out of the way of the crowd,
it is better to surround it with walls, according as much as possible with those of neighbouring
houses The walls of the church should be distinguished by a representation of the Saviour,
or more frequently by a painting representing the patron of the church, sheltered from the
weather by being placed in a small cell or niche in the wall, which may be adorned with
UNDER JUSTINIAN AND HIS SUCCESSORS.
EO ALLATIUS lias left us a volume which, to those who study Christian
archmology, is extremely interesting, since the author of it, who was thoroughly
versed in all relating to the construction and ceremonies of the primitive
Church, clearly explains the principles upon which Byzantine churches were
erected, and gives a reason for every part of the building, — but as it is
written in Greek and Latin, its contents are not accessible to every one.
Wo have had occasion, in studying the numerous monuments of the East, to remark
how correct and precise the descriptions of this author generally are. A short analysis of his
letters will not therefore, be out of place in a work professing to treat of the principles of
B zantine architecture, as it will tend to guide architects and archteologists in subsequent
researches and above all, in the study of the Christian monuments of the interior of Greece,
which are but little known.
Leo Allatius begins by deploring the state of the Christian Church, in the midst of
Mussulman nations, and the difficulties experienced by Christians when they intended to
erect a new church or repair a church that had been burnt or was falling into decay. Yet
in many cases they obtained permission to build a new church on ground which had
been already consecrated by the erection of one more ancient. There are, nevertheless, in
Greece, many remarkable churches; but they are far from exhibiting, either internally or
externally all the conditions necessary for the performance of divine worship. There are some
which present only a rustic appearance; others, on account of the difficulties presented by the
"round are shortened and deformed; others have been crushed in on account of the thinness
of the walls and the weight of the roof; but such as they are, they are still to be regarded
with veneration; and the fact of their accommodating large congregations gives them a beauty
which is wanting in the mere building.
The Byzantine Church in its complete development, and arrayed in the manner that
it should be for the performance of solemn ceremonies, ought to be designed in the following
manner :_The church should stand in the midst of a square plot large enough for the purpose.
It is desirable that it should he possible -to pass all round the building, in order to gain a view
of every side of it. The plot of ground should he paved with brick or stone. In monasteries,
the plot should be quite free from barriers, walls, or other obstructions, and should be
occupied only by the cells of the monks. Here and there trees of such description as do
not shed their leaves, and such as give a thick shade, should be planted, to moderate the heat
of the sun. Yet in towns, in order that the edifice be kept out of the way of the crowd,
it is better to surround it with walls, according as much as possible with those of neighbouring
houses The walls of the church should be distinguished by a representation of the Saviour,
or more frequently by a painting representing the patron of the church, sheltered from the
weather by being placed in a small cell or niche in the wall, which may be adorned with