Saint Theodosia of Constantinople enjoys a special place among the martyrs of the iconoclastic persecutions. Her cult reached its zenith under the Byzantine dynasty of the Palaiologoi (1259–1453), which is reflected not only in three... more
Saint Theodosia of Constantinople enjoys a special place among the martyrs of the iconoclastic persecutions. Her cult reached its zenith under the Byzantine dynasty of the Palaiologoi (1259–1453), which is reflected not only in three rhetorical panegyrics in her honour, but also in historical works, poetry, hymnography, and in the travel journals of Russian pilgrims.
Kotzabassi provides a detailed analysis of and a commentary on these texts, as well as a critical edition based on all known manuscripts of the texts, some of which are published for the first time.
The early decades of the Palaiologan period (1261-1453), following the recovery of Constantinople from the Latins, saw much more interest in the hagiography of older saints than of new saints. The article focuses on two rare examples of... more
The early decades of the Palaiologan period (1261-1453), following the recovery of Constantinople from the Latins, saw much more interest in the hagiography of older saints than of new saints. The article focuses on two rare examples of vitae of new saints, the Lives of Niketas the Younger by Theodore Mouzalon, and John the Merciful the Younger by Constantine Akropolites.
Six early Palaeologan hagiographical metaphraseis praising the saints of the iconoclast era are considered alongside their source-texts. The first section of the article is a brief annotated presentation of the relevant sources. The... more
Six early Palaeologan hagiographical metaphraseis praising the saints of the iconoclast era are considered alongside their source-texts. The first section of the article is a brief annotated presentation of the relevant sources. The second explores three metaphrastic shifts altering the image of the iconoclast controversy: displacements in chronology, changes in psychological portraits, amalgamation of personages. The third speculates on how these metaphraseis functioned within the framework of Palaeologan political agenda.
