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Losing your head and finding it again
The Martyrdom of the Three Children Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, as depicted in the manuscript Vatican, BAV gr. 1613 (10th/11th c.), f. 251 (detail), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ananias,_Azarius_and_Misael_(Menologion_of_Basil_II).jpg . In ancient times, losing one’s head was not an exceptional occurrence. Wars, conflicts of all kinds, and punishments could easily result in death by decapitation. Among those condemned to this type of death, hagiographic texts pr
Daniel Oltean
Jun 29, 20256 min read


Prince Siddhartha Gautama in the Christian calendar
The translation of Josaphat’s relics by King Barachiah, as depicted in the manuscript Los Angeles, Getty Museum, Ludwig XV 9 (15th c.),...
Daniel Oltean
Jun 28, 20255 min read


A journey to the centre of the Earth
Image of Thecla on a Coptic eulogy ampulla (6th/7th c.), Paris, Musée du Louvre, Département des Arts de Byzance et des Chrétientés en...
Daniel Oltean
Mar 21, 20255 min read


The Byzantine Synaxarion and the Liturgy of the presanctified gifts
The synaxarion of Pope Gregory I in the manuscript Sinai Gr. 548 (10th c.), f. 142r, https://www.loc.gov/resource/amedmonastery.00279380...
Daniel Oltean
Mar 19, 20256 min read


The legend of Emperor Theophilos
Emperor Theophilos and his court, as depicted in the manuscript Madrid, Gr. Vitr. 26-2, 12th c. (Chronicle of Skylitzes), f. 42v,...
Daniel Oltean
Mar 17, 20256 min read
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