Early Christian And Byzantine Architecture

I : Introduction

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Christianity, founded by followers of Jesus Christ, began as a sect of Judaism. Over time, it evolved into an organized church with a hierarchy. The Nicene Creed became a significant statement of belief. Christians faced persecution and operated underground until the Edict of Milan granted them freedom in 313. Worship initially took place in private homes, focusing on the Eucharist. As congregations grew, larger community houses were established, and catacombs were created for burials. Christian architecture drew from Roman styles and bridged the gap between classical antiquity and the medieval era.

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In Points

 

• Christianity began as a reforming sect of Judaism, viewing Jesus as the promised messiah.

• It developed into an organized church with a hierarchy of bishops and clergy.

• The Nicene Creed, formulated in 325 CE, is a significant statement of belief for multiple Christian denominations.

• Early Christians faced persecution and operated underground until the Edict of Milan in 313.

• Worship initially took place in private homes, utilizing dining rooms.

• The Eucharist (communion) was central to Christian worship.

• As congregations grew, larger community houses were established with dedicated spaces for worship, baptism, and charitable activities.

• Christians created catacombs as burial sites, as they opposed cremation.

• Roman architectural styles influenced early Christian buildings.

• Christian architecture acted as a transition between classical antiquity and the medieval

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II : EARLY CHRISTIAN BASILICAS 

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Early Christian basilicas, sponsored by Constantine, adopted the Roman basilica as their architectural model. The basilica's assembly hall and court of justice connotations suited Christian worship. These buildings could accommodate large crowds and feature processional spaces. Adapted for Christian rituals, the altar was placed in the apse, entrances were on the opposite wall, and an atrium facilitated pre-service gatherings.

 

The Lateran Palace in Rome, given to the church by Constantine, housed one of the earliest basilicas, now known as St. John Lateran. It had paired aisles, a lofty nave, and an apse with seats for the bishop and priests. Another notable example is the church of S. Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, featuring mosaics depicting processions of saints, biblical figures, and scenes from the Passion and miracles of Christ. This elaborate interior decoration communicated Christian teachings to the public. The exterior appearance of these basilicas did not reveal the grandeur of their mosaic-adorned interiors.

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IN POINTS :

• Constantine sponsored early Christian basilicas based on the Roman basilica model.

• Basilicas provided space for large congregations and processional activities.

• Christian adaptations included placing the altar in the apse and incorporating an atrium.

• St. John Lateran in Rome, housed in the Lateran Palace, was one of the earliest basilicas.

• The basilicas featured paired aisles, a lofty nave, and an apse with seats for the bishop and priests.

• The church of S. Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna exemplifies an Early Christian basilica with its mosaic decorations.

• The mosaics depicted processions of saints, biblical figures, and scenes from the Passion and miracles of Christ.

• The exterior appearance of the basilicas did not reflect the richness of their interior mosaic work.

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III : Martyria , Baptiseries and Mausolea

Early Christians erected various types of religious buildings, including martyria, baptisteries, and mausolea.

 

Martyria were built to commemorate saints or important Christian sites and often functioned as churches. Old St. Peter's in Rome started as a martyrium marking the tomb of St. Peter. The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, built under Constantine's patronage, had an octagon at the head of the nave.

 

Baptisteries were constructed for the sacrament of baptism and often had octagonal plans symbolizing resurrection. The Baptistery of the Orthodox in Ravenna is an example.

 

Mausolea were built to house the tombs of important individuals and influenced later domed churches. Constantia's mausoleum in Rome and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna are notable examples.

 

IN POINTS :

• Early Christians built various religious buildings, including martyria, baptisteries, and mausolea.

• Martyria were erected to commemorate saints or important Christian sites.

• Old St. Peter's in Rome started as a martyrium marking the tomb of St. Peter.

• The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, built under Constantine's patronage, had an octagon at the head of the nave.

• Baptisteries were built for the sacrament of baptism and often had octagonal plans symbolizing resurrection.

• The Baptistery of the Orthodox in Ravenna is an example of a baptistery.

• Mausolea were built to house the tombs of important individuals and influenced later domed churches.

• Constantia's mausoleum in Rome and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna are notable examples of mausolea.

 

IV: Byzantine Basilicas And Domed Basilicas 

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The Byzantine era, marked by the reign of Justinian, saw distinct developments in architecture. Byzantine architecture favored domes, symbolizing the heavenly realm, in both basilican and centrally planned churches.

Basilicas were still commonly constructed, and the church of S. Apollinare in Classe at Ravenna is an example of a wooden-roofed basilica. Justinian's churches showcased innovative domes, such as

S. Irene with two domes and Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Hagia Sophia had a basilica plan with a large central dome supported by pendentives and flanked by two smaller semidomes. Its design posed structural challenges but created an ethereal and harmonious space with abundant light and intricate details.

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IN POINTS :

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• The Byzantine era, associated with Justinian's reign, brought distinct architectural developments.

• Byzantine architecture favored domes, representing the heavenly realm.

• Basilicas remained common in the sixth century, and the church of S. Apollinare in Classe is an example.

• Justinian's churches showcased innovative domes, including S. Irene with two domes.

• Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, had a basilica plan with a large central dome supported by pendentives and flanked by two smaller semidomes.

• Hagia Sophia's design presented structural challenges but created an ethereal space with abundant light and intricate details.

• The church ritual in Hagia Sophia reserved the major space for clergy and the emperor's retinue, symbolically joining church and state.

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V: Centrally Planned Byzantine Churches.

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Roman temples with centralized plans and Early Christian baptisteries and mausolea influenced the development of Byzantine churches. Byzantine churches often had circular or Greek-cross plans, with examples like SS. Sergius and Bacchus in Constantinople and S. Vitale in Ravenna. SS. Sergius and Bacchus featured a domed octagon surrounded by aisles, while S. Vitale had an octagonal dome and galleries. The Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople now vanished, it served as a prototype for centralized Greek-cross plan churches like S. Marco in Venice. Byzantine churches also followed the cross-in-square plan and cross-domed plan, as seen at the monastery of Hosios Loukas. These churches showcased architectural features such as domes, barrel vaults, and elaborate mosaics.

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IN POINTS :

• Roman temples with centralized plans and Early Christian baptisteries and mausolea influenced Byzantine churches.

• Byzantine churches often had circular or Greek-cross plans.

• Examples of Byzantine churches include SS. Sergius and Bacchus with a domed octagon and. S.Vitale with an octagonal dome.

• The Church of the Holy Apostles served as a prototype for centralized Greek-cross plan churches like S. Marco in Venice.

• Byzantine churches also followed the cross-in-square plan and cross-domed plan.

• The monastery of Hosios Loukas featured two churches: the Theotokos church with a cross-in-square plan and the larger Katholikon with a large dome and galleries.

• Byzantine churches showcased architectural features such as domes, barrel vaults, and elaborate mosaics.

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VI : Byzantine Churches In Russia 

Russian church architecture is closely linked to the Byzantine legacy, reflecting many features of later Byzantine architecture. From the 10th to the 18th century, Russia included territories that are now independent states like Belarus, Georgia, and Ukraine. The region's geography consists of rolling countryside, forests, lakes, and rivers that served as trade routes. Russian history began with Viking settlers, and the country experienced interruptions and Mongol rule from the 13th to the 15th century. Despite isolation from Western Europe, Byzantine influence persisted in Russian church architecture. Difficulties in maintaining contact with Constantinople led to the establishment of an independent Russian Orthodox Church in 1443 with its own primate or metropolitan.

IN POINTS :

 

• Russian church architecture is closely tied to the Byzantine legacy.

• From the 10th to the 18th century, Russia included territories such as Belarus, Georgia, and Ukraine.

• The region features rolling countryside, forests, lakes, and rivers used as trade routes.

• Russian history began with Viking settlers, with Rurik being a prominent figure.

• Mongol rule interrupted Russian history from the 13th to the 15th century.

• Russia became isolated from Western Europe, leading to distinct chronologies and stylistic periods.

• Byzantine influence persisted in Russian church architecture after the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

• Difficulties in maintaining contact with Constantinople led to the establishment of an independent Russian Orthodox Church in 1443.

 

VI: Masonry Churches

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In 988, Christianity and the Byzantine style were introduced to Russia when Prince Vladimir of Kiev converted to Christianity. Russian agents who visited Constantinople were impressed by the splendor of Hagia Sophia. Vladimir embraced the Christian church of Constantinople, and missionary priests were sent to Kiev, where they translated the Bible and built churches.

 

Early churches in Russia were primarily made of wood, but the first masonry church, the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin, had a quincunx plan(In architecture, the Latin term quincunx is instead used to label a building with four pillars (tetrastylum) dividing a square plan in nine parts) and became a paradigm for Russian Orthodox churches. St. Sophia in Kiev, built by Yaroslavl the Wise, drew inspiration from Hagia Sophia but used multiple domes over parallel bays. Russian churches are characterized by onion dome shapes, height, and the use of iconostasis, a screen separating the sanctuary from the nave and aisles that displays icons and adds to the mystery of the ritual.

 

IN POINTS :

• Christianity and Byzantine style came to Russia in 988 with Prince Vladimir's conversion.

• Russian agents were impressed by the splendor of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

• Vladimir embraced the Christian church of Constantinople, and missionary priests were sent to Kiev.

• Early churches in Russia were primarily made of wood.

• The Cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin, a masonry church in Kiev, had a quincunx plan and set a paradigm for Russian Orthodox churches.

• St. Sophia in Kiev drew inspiration from Hagia Sophia but used multiple domes over parallel bays.

• Russian churches are characterized by onion dome shapes, height, and the use of iconostasis.

• The iconostasis is a screen separating the sanctuary from the nave and aisles and displays icons, adding to the mystery of the ritual.

 

VI : Wooden Churches

Wood was the dominant building material in Russian architecture until the 20th century due to its availability, ease of use, and insulating properties. Horizontal log construction, similar to American log cabins, was commonly used for houses, fortifications, and churches. The Church of the Raising of Lazarus is believed to be the oldest surviving Russian wooden building. Larger wooden churches had higher gable roofs, raised floor levels, and covered access stairs. The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in Peredki features a Greek-cross plan, octagonal tower with a tent roof, and an external gallery. Wooden churches used different types of wood for specific purposes, such as larch logs for rot resistance and aspen wood for shingles. The masterpiece Church of the Transfiguration at Kizhi, built under the patronage of Peter the Great, showcases a Greek cross plan with multiple domes and elaborate exterior composition.

The Mongol invasion led to the decline of Kiev as a center of the Russian government, and Moscow became the leading city. Motifs from wooden architecture were incorporated into masonry buildings, as seen in Moscow's St. Basil the Blessed Cathedral with its central sanctuary and multiple chapels. St. Basil's reflects Byzantine influences and marks the transition towards European architectural styles in Russia under Peter the Great.

 

IN POINTS :

• Wood was the primary building material in Russian architecture until the 20th century.

• Horizontal log construction, similar to American log cabins, was commonly used.

• The oldest surviving Russian wooden building is the Church of the Raising of Lazarus.

• Larger wooden churches had higher gable roofs and covered access stairs.

• The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in Peredki featured a Greek-cross plan and an octagonal tower with a tent roof.

• Different types of wood were used for specific purposes in wooden churches.

• The Church of the Transfiguration at Kizhi, built under Peter the Great's patronage, had a Greek cross plan with multiple domes and elaborate exterior composition.

• The Mongol invasion led to the decline of Kiev, and Moscow became the leading city.

• Motifs from wooden architecture were incorporated into masonry buildings, such as Moscow's St. Basil the Blessed Cathedral.

• St. Basil's reflects Byzantine influences and marks the transition towards European architectural styles in Russia under Peter the Great.

 

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