1. The Categories of Medieval Russian Culture

2. Sacred architecture: church as cosmos St Sofia Cathedral in Kiev, 11th century The Church of Pokrov, on river Nerl (Vladimir) 1165

3. Differences in sacred architecture The plan of the “Latin” Western church (basilika type) The Byzantine church plan: cross-dome type

4. Church as a sacred space St Sophia of Kiev (facade)

5. Church: the symbolism of the internal decoration Dome: Ascention, later Christ Pantocrator Drum: Prophets Vaults: Evangelists Arches (“bridges”): Apostles Columns: Saints and Martyrs Eastern wall: Incarnation and salvation Western wall: Beginning and End (Last Judgement)

6. Byzantine culture as the predecessor of Russian art

8. The iconostasis I. Local Row 1. Savior 2. Mother of God 3. An icon of the church 4. Locally venerated icon 5. «Last Supper» 6. Royal doors а) Annunciation б) Evangelists 7. Doors to the deacon’s section 8. Doors to the altar II. “Deesis” Row 1. Christ Pantocrator (Christ’s Second Coming) 2. Mother of God 3. John the Baptist 4. Archaengel Gabriel 5. Archaengel Michael III. Feasts IV. Prophets V. Forefathers 1. Old testament Trinity А. Golgotha

9. What is the Icon? Not a representation but an indication, a pointer Image (eikon) A sacred text Eyes – Centrality of face (lik)

10. How to understand the icon? Four levels of reading: literal, allegorical, moral and anagogic The principle of otherness; opposite of realism and naturalism Symbolism of the objects, clothes, colour. Dionisii, St Nicholas. Fresco in Ferapontovo monastery (1490)

11. The main principles of iconogrpahy symbolism of colour Space and time Nativity of Christ: combination of several time/space layers

12. Reverse perspective Linear perspective Reverse perspective Vanishing point

13. St Sofia of Kiev (Byzantine masters), 11th century NB blue clothes of Mary, emphasis on virginity

14. “The Savior with golden hair”, 12th century “an imitation of the provincial Byzantine iconography”

15. Feofan the Greek, the teacher of Rublev (1340-1410) “Trinity”, a mural from the Church of Savior in Novgorod (1378)

16. Archangel Michael by Andrey Rublev 14th century Andrey Rublev 1360-1428

17. St Paul by Rublev

18. “Old Testament Trinity” aka “Hospitality of Abraham”(1609)

19. Andrey Roublev “Trinity”

20. Dionisii, murals at Ferapontovo monastery

21. Dionisii,

22. Icons in the family rituals (the blessing of the young couple)

23. Icons in home worship