Macedonian

Dynasty of Byzantine emperors 867-1057, founded by Basil the First.

Makarios (Makarije)

Brother of Jonh (Iovan). Icon painter late 14/early 15th Century. Signed his work.

Mandorla

Greek for 'Almond'. An almond shaped aura of light surrounding scared figures.

Mandyas

Clothing - a gown.

Maniera graeca

In the manner of the Greeks

Mappa

A scroll

Marabout

Small domed 'tomb of saints'

Martyrion

Burial place of a saint, or a shrine erected on the site.

Matroneum

Gallery over the aisle of a Basilica reserved for women.

Melote

A sheepskin garment

Menologion

The lives of the saints, covering everyday of he year. Complied by Symeon Metaphrastes at the end of the tenth Century

Metamorphosis

Greek for the Transfiguration.

Metaphrastan Lives

The lives of the Saints, based on the Menologian

Methodious

Theologian

Mileseva

Serbian Monastery

Mithras

Roman god. Mithraism was an Iranian religion practised by the Romans, made an imperial cult under Commodus (180-192).

Monolithic

Made from a single stone - a monolith

Monophysitism

Doctrine which states that in Christ there is only a single and divine nature as opposed to the Orthodox view that Christ is both human and divine.

Moraca

Monastery in Montenegro

Moulding

Continuous outline of definitive shape applied to the edges or surface of an architectural component.

Narthex

Vestibule of a church, extending along the whole of the facade

Nave

Long central area of a Basilica flanked by aisles and lit by the clerestory

Neo Platonists

Taught in the Athens Academy (closed in 529)

Nestorians

Followers of Nestorius.

Nestorius

(d 451) He claimed that there were two separate persons in the incarnate Christ, one divine and one human, in contrast to the Orthodox view of the single person of Christ who is at once both God and man.

Nicaea

The Cult of icons was restored at an iconophile council held in Nicaea - "The more often these holy images are seen, the more those who see them call to mind the originals"

Nicephorus, Patriarch

805-815

Nicholas Ritzos

Icon Painter

Nicolaos Mesarites

12th Century writer of the ekphrasis, who described the lost wall mosaic in the Church of the Holy Apostles at Constantinople

Nika Revolt

Took place in 432 in Constantinople involving the different factions of the Circus resulting in the destruction Haghia Sophia

Nymphaeum

Roman shrine dedicated to a nymph. Usually a niche with a fountain in front, but developed to include a whole room with monumental fountain

Ochre

Red Earth used for colouring in a range of hues from yellow to deep red

Octateuch

The first eight books of the Old Testament

Octogon

Eight sided

Oculus

Small hole (eye), in the centre of the dome of some Roman temples

Oklad

Combination of painting with embossed precious metals, esp. gold and silver. the oklad refers to the metal cover of an icon, which is not purely decorative, but also protects the paint against the soot of candles and incense.

Omophorion

(pallium) A priest's garment, worn over the shoulder like a scarf

Onouphrios

A Hermit

Opus Alexandrinum

Fragments of icons in marble inlay, discovered at Fenari Isa Camii, Istanbul, including a famous icon of St Eudocia

Orans

Figure praying, arms raised representing the soul of the dead person

Orant

Position with arms raised, ready to begging the passage to heaven

Origen of Alexanria

Theologian

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