Abacus

Flat slab placed on top of a capital

Abagar

Emperor/King. Christ is supposed to have presented Abagar with the archeiropoeitos, in order that he be healed from his leprosy with Christ being present

Abbot Desiderius of Monte Cassino

(1058-1080). Obtained from Constantinople a templon with six silver columns and ten icons for a new screen

Acathistos Hymn

A Byzantium hymn in praise of the Virgin

ad Catacumbas

Catacombs - originally referred to the early Christian cemetery just outside Rome, now called di San Sebastiano

Adventus

The arrival of a victorious Emperor returning from a campaign

Aediculum

Frame to a window or niche consisting of two columns supporting a pediment

Ambo

Stand raised on steps from which the Epistle or Gospel were read - can be similar to a pulpit

Ambulatory

Curved or polygonal aisle usually leading round the sanctuary

Ampulla

A container of precious oil, originally said to have come from the Holy Land in the 7th C and used to contain oil sanctified by contact with the wood of the cross. Also refers to Roman wine or liquid container.

Analogion

A free-standing structure for displaying icons, a stand.

Anastasis

Greek - 'Resurrection'

Anastasius, Emperor

491-518

Andres

Icon Painter 1421-1492

Anthony of Piacenza

In 570 he told how he genuflected in Jerusalem before an image of Christ and in Memphis before the first image of Christ archeiropoietos

Antonios, Bishop

A bishop of St Catherine's Monastery around the second half of the Twelfth Century

Apakas

Icon Painter - 17th Century Italo-Greek

Apse

Usually semicircular end of a church

Arca

A four legged coffer

Arcade

Row of columns supporting arches

Arcadeus, Emperor

Lived in Constantinople until 453

Archeiropoietos

Painted without Hands'

Architrave

Horizontal slab supported on pillars. The lowest of the three main parts of the Classical tablature

Arcosolium

Ancient form of tomb found in the catacombs, a natural sarcophagus cut out of the rock with an arch above

Arculf, Bishop

Visited Jerusalem in the Seventh Century and saw a woven icon of Christ and the twelve apostles

Arians

heretics named after Arius,

Arius

(270-336) Heretic. An Alexandrian Ascetic taught that the son of God was not eternal, but had been created by the Father from nothing.

Asinou

Church in Cyprus, containing frescoes dated 1105-1106

Asterius of Amasia

late 4th Century

Atelier

A workshop or studio

Atrium

Courtyard, often with arcades, placed in front of some early Christian churches

Azurite

A mineral ground and used for blue pigment

Baldachin

Canopy supported on columns over an altar

Baptistery

Place where the font is situated for baptism

Bardanes Philippicus, Emperor

711-713, An Armenian

Barlaam

A monk

Barrel Vault

Continuous arched roof, resting on the walls on either side

Basil the Great

330-379 Cappodoccian Church Father. Stated that " the honour accorded to the image belongs to the original model"

Basileus

Greek - King or Emperor

Basilica

A large oblong building for worship with a central nave and side aisles, lit by a clerestory and normally terminating in an apse

Basma

A painted icon covered in precious metal, leaving only the figures to be seen

Battle of the Milvian Bridge

Famous encounter where Constantine the Great first held up a cross as a symbol of Victory

Bema

Raised stage for the clergy

Berlingheri Family

Italian Family operated an icon workshop

Bilateral

Icon painted on both faces of the panel

Bishop Arculf

Visited Jerusalem in the Seventh Century and saw a woven icon of Christ and the twelve apostles

Blind arcade

A miniature, decorative arcade built into the walls of a church

Blutenblatt

Decorative vegetable patterns

Byzantium.

City in Turkey. The importance of Byzantium in the history of Icon development cannot be overstressed. Became Constantinople (declared the New Rome on May 11 330 by Constantine the Great), then Istanbul in 1453

Caldarium

Hot room of a Roman Bath

Camuliana

home of the 'Multiplying Icon' - 554-560

Capital

Carved block of stone on the top of a column

Catacomb

Early Christian underground burial place, consisting of long tunnels with niches and chambers

Cathecumeneum

The Catechism Room

Chalke

The Bronze Gates of the Imperial Palace

Changeant

A technique of subtle use of differing colours, to produce an effect, such as that of shining silk on a garment

Chasuble

(Phelonian) A Priest's Garment, a cassock

Chlamys

Short mantle or cloak, fastened by a brooch on the right shoulder and covering the left shoulder and arm

Chone

Place where the archangel Michael diverted a river, saving the hut of the Monk Achippus.

Chrismon

Monogram of Christ.

Chryselephantine

Overlaid with gold and ivory

Circus

A Roman elliptical race track

Clement of Alexandria

150-215 Celebrated writer of late 2nd/early 3rd Century who strongly opposed the pictorial representation of the Christian God

Clerestory

The part of the wall of the nave which rises above the level of the aisles and contains windows

Clipeus

A roundel. A circular form of icon used in late antiquity to represent the passage of the soul to heaven.

Cloisonne

A technique where enamel is sunk into raised cells, often of gold, giving a mosaic effect

Codex

Latin - 'Book'

Colonnade

Rows of supporting columns

Columbarium

Tomb with small niches to hold ashes, like a dove cote.

Commodilla

Catacomb in Rome

Commodus, Emperor

(180-192)

Comnenes

Dynasty of Byzantine Emperors, 1071-1185.

Comnenian

technique using gold to enliven and add richness to icons

Conch

Top of a semi-circular niche

Constantia

Sister of Constantine the Great

Constantine (the Great)

Emperor 311-337. Took Christianity as the state religion in 313.

Constantius, Emperor

Emperor 337-361

Coppo di Marcovaldo

Icon Painter, used gold hatching to enhance the three-dimensional appearance of figures.

Coptic

The Language of the Copts, now used only in the Coptic Church

Corinthian

Last of the three main order of Greek architecture. Identified by a high column and intricate capital based on acanthus foliage

Council of Chalcedon

(451) Decided upon the 'invisible but separate' natures of Christ

Council of Elvira

(Now Granada, in Spain). Prohibited paintings in church

Coursed work

Stones or brick placed in layers to make regular patterns

Crucifix

A representation of Jesus Christ on the Cross during crucifixion.

Cruciform

Shaped like a cross

Cubicula

Underground chambers of the Catacombs

Cupola

Dome supported on four arches or a circular wall

Home