Pinakes | Πίνακες

Résumé :

This paper attempts to interpret the relationship between historical events and liturgical development in Constantinople, with a focus on the Byzantine Old Testament lectionary (prophetologion) and the feast of the dedication of a church, or encaenia, meaning the initial consecration or the re-dedication of a church, but also the annual commemoration of either of the two. An examination of the Old Testament texts read at this particular festival, and of their symbolic meaning, may tell us something about the political importance of the construction, or restoration, of churches by the emperor and his use of the encaenia to consolidate his position. The analysis comprises all three encaenia feasts present in the repertoire of the prophetologion: that of the Hagia Sophia, the church of the Saviour above the Chalke Gate, and the Anastasis church in Jerusalem.