Veiled Word(s) – Sacred Silence: Screening the Mystery in the Byzantine Altar

Nicoletta Isar

Veiled Word(s) – Sacred Silence: Screening the Mystery in the Byzantine Altar

Department of Arts and Cultural Studies

Abstract

This paper defines the Byzantine altar as a sacred space of participative performance in the mystery of the Eucharist – a paradigm of “timeless re-enactment of the Christian drama.” Reading a series of Byzantine ekphraseis, the paper addresses such concepts as inner vision (theoria), silent or secret prayer, and divine silence, which are at the very centre of the Byzantine altar. The main focus is to investigate the liminal nature of the Mystery, manifested through concealing-revealing devices, which are thresholds in the liturgical participation of the Byzantine subject. Fear and secrecy in front of the Mystery of Divine Presence are anthropological symptoms dominating the imaginary.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Image and Altar 800‑1300. Papers from an International Conference in Copenhagen 24 October – 27 October 2007 : Publications from the National Museum Studies in Archaeology & History Vol. XX
Editors	Poul Grinder-Hansen
Number of pages	18
Place of Publication	Odense
Publisher	Syddansk Universitetsforlag
Publication date	2014
Pages	27-44
ISBN (Print)	978-87-7602-143-6
Publication status	Published - 2014

Series	Publications of the National Museum. Studies in Archaeology & History
Volume	23

Access to Document

http://www.universitypress.dk/shop/image-and-altar-3428p.html

Cite this

Isar, N. (2014). Veiled Word(s) – Sacred Silence: Screening the Mystery in the Byzantine Altar. In P. Grinder-Hansen (Ed.), Image and Altar 800‑1300. Papers from an International Conference in Copenhagen 24 October – 27 October 2007: Publications from the National Museum Studies in Archaeology & History Vol. XX (pp. 27-44). Syddansk Universitetsforlag. http://www.universitypress.dk/shop/image-and-altar-3428p.html

Veiled Word(s) – Sacred Silence: Screening the Mystery in the Byzantine Altar. / Isar, Nicoletta.
Image and Altar 800‑1300. Papers from an International Conference in Copenhagen 24 October – 27 October 2007: Publications from the National Museum Studies in Archaeology & History Vol. XX. ed. / Poul Grinder-Hansen. Odense: Syddansk Universitetsforlag, 2014. p. 27-44 (Publications of the National Museum. Studies in Archaeology & History, Vol. 23).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Article in proceedings › Research › peer-review

Isar, N 2014, Veiled Word(s) – Sacred Silence: Screening the Mystery in the Byzantine Altar. in P Grinder-Hansen (ed.), Image and Altar 800‑1300. Papers from an International Conference in Copenhagen 24 October – 27 October 2007: Publications from the National Museum Studies in Archaeology & History Vol. XX. Syddansk Universitetsforlag, Odense, Publications of the National Museum. Studies in Archaeology & History, vol. 23, pp. 27-44. <http://www.universitypress.dk/shop/image-and-altar-3428p.html>

Isar N. Veiled Word(s) – Sacred Silence: Screening the Mystery in the Byzantine Altar. In Grinder-Hansen P, editor, Image and Altar 800‑1300. Papers from an International Conference in Copenhagen 24 October – 27 October 2007: Publications from the National Museum Studies in Archaeology & History Vol. XX. Odense: Syddansk Universitetsforlag. 2014. p. 27-44. (Publications of the National Museum. Studies in Archaeology & History, Vol. 23).

Isar, Nicoletta. / Veiled Word(s) – Sacred Silence : Screening the Mystery in the Byzantine Altar. Image and Altar 800‑1300. Papers from an International Conference in Copenhagen 24 October – 27 October 2007: Publications from the National Museum Studies in Archaeology & History Vol. XX. editor / Poul Grinder-Hansen. Odense : Syddansk Universitetsforlag, 2014. pp. 27-44 (Publications of the National Museum. Studies in Archaeology & History, Vol. 23).

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