Forty Martyrs Of Sebaste
Dublin Core
Title
Forty Martyrs Of Sebaste
Subject
Description
A blind arch is formed in the north-west corner of the western bay, on which the scene of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste is developed. The scene is dated to the twelfth century A.D. The painting is really intriguing as it depicts forty men who seem to be in pain as their facial expressions and injury scars attest. They freeze to death in a frozen lake with hot water baths located on its banks in order to appeal them. They are half-naked, only wearing underpants. In the centre of the scene, a martyr loses consciousness and two others support him. On the upper part of the recess, thirty-eight crowns descend from heaven.
The scene narrates the martyrdom of forty soldiers who were martyred at Sebaste in Lesser Armenia during the persecutions of early Christian period. On the soffit of the blind arch, Christ is depicted within a medallion and has His hands extended holding two crowns. According to the story, one of them did not endure of this suffering and ran to the hot baths on the last day. This martyr is represented on the western side of the soffit of the blind arch. After watching the incident, a pagan soldier, surprised by the faith of the forty martyrs, converted and decided to join the group. He is depicted on the eastern side of the soffit of the recess.
Noteworthy is the fact that the Forty Martyrs were the patron Saints of the upper classes of the imperial soldiers.
The scene narrates the martyrdom of forty soldiers who were martyred at Sebaste in Lesser Armenia during the persecutions of early Christian period. On the soffit of the blind arch, Christ is depicted within a medallion and has His hands extended holding two crowns. According to the story, one of them did not endure of this suffering and ran to the hot baths on the last day. This martyr is represented on the western side of the soffit of the blind arch. After watching the incident, a pagan soldier, surprised by the faith of the forty martyrs, converted and decided to join the group. He is depicted on the eastern side of the soffit of the recess.
Noteworthy is the fact that the Forty Martyrs were the patron Saints of the upper classes of the imperial soldiers.
Creator
Source
Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology
Publisher
Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology
Library of Cyprus University of Technology
Date
Contributor
Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology
Rights
Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.
Relation
https://apsida.cut.ac.cy/items/show/45036
Format
JPG, MP3
Language
en
Type
Identifier
Figure-050
Coverage
35.046355, 32.973431
Files
Collection
Citation
Ioannides, Marinos, “Forty Martyrs Of Sebaste,” Αψίδα, accessed January 31, 2025, https://apsida.cut.ac.cy/items/show/45262.