The Framing of Sacred Space : The Canopy and the Byzantine Church

__The Framing of Sacred Space__ offers the first topical study of canopies as essential spatial and symbolic units in Byzantine-rite churches. Centrally planned columnar structures—typically comprising four columns and a roof—canopies had a critical role in the modular and additive processes of church design, from actual church furnishings in the shape of a canopy, to the church’s structural core defined by four columns and a dome. As architectonic objects of basic structural and design integrity, canopies integrate an archetypical image of architecture and provide means for an innovative understanding of the materialization of __the idea__ of the Byzantine church and its multifocal spatial presence. The book considers both the material and conceptual framing of sacred space and explains how the canopy bridges the physical and transcendental realms. As a crucial element of church design in the Byzantine world, a world that gradually abandoned the basilica as a typical building of Roman imperial secular architecture, the canopy carried tectonic and theological meanings and, through vaulted, canopied bays and recognizable Byzantine domed churches, established organic architectural, symbolic, and sacred ties between the Old and New Covenants. In such an overarching context, the canopy becomes an architectural __parti__, a vital concept and dynamic design principle that carries the essence of the Byzantine church. __The Framing of Sacred Space__ highlights significant factors in understanding canopies through specific architectural settings and the Byzantine concepts of space, thus also contributing to larger debates about the creation of sacred space and related architectural “taxonomy.” The Framing Of Sacred Space Offers The First Topical Study Of Canopies As Essential Spatial And Symbolic Units In Byzantine-rite Churches. Centrally Planned Columnar Structures--typically Comprised Of Four Columns And A Roof--canopies Had A Critical Role In The Modular Processes Of Church Design, From Actual Church Furnishings In The Shape Of A Canopy To The Church's Structural Core. As Architectonic Objects Of Basic Structural And Design Integrity, Canopies Integrate An Archetypical Image Of Architecture And Provide Means For An Innovative Understanding Of The Materialization Of The Idea Of The Byzantine Church And Its Multi-focal Spatial Presence. The Framing Of Sacred Space Considers Both The Material And Conceptual Framing Of Sacred Space And Explains How The Canopy Bridges The Physical And Transcendental Realms. As A Crucial Element Of Church Design In The Byzantine World, A World That Gradually Abandoned The Basilica As A Typical Building Of Roman Imperial Secular Architecture, The Canopy Carried Tectonic And Theological Meanings And, Through Vaulted, Canopied Bays And Recognizable Byzantine Domed Churches, Established Organic Architectural, Symbolic, And Sacred Ties Between The Old And New Covenants. In Such An Overarching Context, The Canopy Becomes An Architectural Parti, A Vital Concept And Dynamic Design Principle That Carries The Essence Of The Byzantine Church. The Framing Of Sacred Space Highlights Significant Factors In Understanding Canopies Through Specific Architectural Settings And The Byzantine Concepts Of Space, Thus Also Contributing To Larger Debates About The Creation Of Sacred Space And Related Architectural Taxonomy.-- Introduction -- Chapter 1: Ciborium Or Canopy? Textual Evidence On Canopies In The Byzantine Church -- Chapter 2: Canopies In The Byzantine Church: Archaeological And Architectural Evidence -- Chapter 3: Place-making: The Place Of The Canopy In The Church -- Chapter 4: The Micro-architectural Framing Of Sacred Space -- Chapter 5: Nested In Its Own Shape: The Canopy And The Byzantine Church -- Conclusions -- Appendix. Jelena Bogdanović. Revised And Expanded Version Of The Author's Thesis (doctoral--princeton University, 2008) Under The Title: Canopies : The Framing Of Sacred Space In The Byzantine Ecclesiastical Tradition. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 359-396) And Index. The 'Framing of Sacred Space' offers the first topical study of canopies as essential spatial and symbolic units in Byzantine-rite churches. Centrally planned columnar structures - typically comprised of four columns and a roof - canopies had a critical role in the modular processes of church design, from actual church furnishings in the shape of a canopy to the church's structural core. As architectonic objects of basic structural and design integrity, canopies integrate an archetypical image of architecture and provide means for an innovative understanding of the materialization of the idea of the Byzantine church and its multi-focal spatial presence. 'The Framing of Sacred Space' considers both the material and conceptual framing of sacred space and explains how the canopy bridges the physical and transcendental realms Content: Cover The Framing of Sacred Space Copyright Dedication Contents List of Tables List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Notes on Sources, Translations, and Illustrations List of Abbreviations Maps Introduction 1. Ciborium or Canopy? Textual Evidence on Canopies in the Byzantine Church 2. Canopies in the Byzantine Church: Archeological and Architectural Evidence 3. Place-​Making: The Place of the Canopy in the Church 4. The Micro-​Architectural Framing of Sacred Space 5. Nested in Its Own Shape: The Canopy and the Byzantine Church Conclusion Appendix Bibliography As architectonic objects of basic structural and design integrity, canopies provide means for an innovative understanding of the materialization of the idea of the Byzantine-rite church. The Framing of Sacred Space considers both the material and conceptual framing of sacred space and explains how the canopy bridges the physical and transcendental realms.