Since their inception, Monks have played a vital role in monasteries with regards to how they are able to afford supporting the monasteries both financially and spiritually. There are various methods in which these structures are able to operate so efficiently throughout varying sects of belief. Monatstaries accomplish this feat being open to everyone and incorporating unique architecture designs, sculptures and paintings. This ensures that everyone, regardless of language or ability to read fluently, is able to understand the teachings and responsibilities expected of them.
Throughout history, the definition of what constitutes a monastery has varied immensely through both religious affiliation and personal beliefs. According to Alice-Mary Talbot’s article ‘An Introduction to Byzantine Monasticism’: “The monastery was often the spiritual center of a rural village or urban quarter; local inhabitants might attend services at the monastic church, seek out monks for spiritual advice, or ask for help in a time of need' (Talbot 2). It is through this explanation that one can now classify monasteries as much more than a sole religious place of worship; these structures served a vital place on both the social and economical level, as opposed to solely that of a religious nature.
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Monks played a very important role in the early medieval times. Both monks and nuns provided many services such as helping to care for the sick, needy, and feeding the poor. They also helped house travelers and people outside of the community by providing advice to the secular ruler and education to children in the local towns. According to ‘Monasticism in Western Medieval Europe’, from the website Metmuseum, “The need for books buildings and other devotional necessities made religious houses active patrons of the arts, and the monastic obligation to perform manual works allowed many monks and nuns to serve God as creative artists”. Monks worked together with patrons, painters and architects regarding the works done to the monastery.
The monasteries were a vital part of the community because they assisted poor members of society through collective community efforts and welfare assistance like food pantries and an ancient method of crowdfunding. In addition to the average community contribution, local noblemen would also give extravagant offerings in hopes that the temple would grant their family members entrance into their afterlife, essentially bribing their penance for forgiveness regardless of their sin or level of involvement in the monastery and would receive the elderly’s pension.
Many of the monasteries architectures were built based on a design known as Byzantine architecture. The Byzantine empire began in 330 in the Roman Empire the emperor Constantine established the city of Byzantion in modern turkey but it is said to had originally been originated in an ancient Greek community however the Romans changed the name to Byzantium Catholicizing the name. In 1453 the Turkish Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople then after leading to the division of Byzantine artworks and architecture into three periods which are Early Byzantine, Middle Byzantine and lastly Late Byzantine.
One example of the ten most known monasteries in the 10th century Middle Byzantine era is named Hosios Loukas, which was founded by Hermit (Loucas Stereiotis/ Loukas Styri), whom died at the age of 56. Which is located in a town in Greece somewhere near Delphi. According to ‘10 Splendid Examples of Byzantine Architecture’, from the website ‘Historylists’, ”This monastery was best known for its gorgeous mosaics such as stained glass,colored stones and even tiles, fresco paintings most commonly seen on walls and ceilings, and lastly marble works such as walls, slabs, carved ivory figures and more”. The Katholikon was the main church of the Hosios Monastery. According to the textbook, “It’s small scaled domes supported by Squiches has an octagonal core, and vaulting roofs. The builder created a polychromed decorative effect on the exterior and alternating stones with bricks set up both vertical and horizontal and using the diagonally set bricks to form saw toothed moldings”. Therefore making its architectural design very complex (pg. 253,254). According to the website ‘Hellenic Foundation for Culture’, “Another reason the Hosios Loukas monastery was best known for was Hosios Loukas ability to miraculously heal people and his future prophecy telling skills”. This monastery is beautiful the architecture is amazing and the paintings truly are a piece of art considering it’s roofs have been repaired and it’s northern and western wings cells have been restored all because of the Ministry of Cultured that has restored and conserved the monastery.
The next example of the 10 most known monasteries is named Hagia Irene. Now this was one of the earliest monasteries this monastery was built in the Byzantine capital located in Faith and is now a museum, which has remained the appearance the same as it was in the 8th century it was also commissioned by the Roman emperor Constantine the great unfortunately the monastery was destroyed burnt down to ground along with hagia sophia which happens to be Irene’s monumental neighbor during the Nika riots in 532. It was later rebuilt by orders of patron emperor Justinian in the middle of the 6th century. Unfortunately, two centuries later the monastery was again severely damaged due to an earthquake however it still holds musical events and attracts tourists this monastery now museum has been through quite a lot of history but continues to be an important part of the Byzantine period. This monastery is also well known for its mosaic, cross, marble, stones, columns which are sustained by brick/blocks frescoes painting such as the dome angel figures on walls and ceilings and it's apse and iconoclastic black cross with a golden background.
According to the National Gallery of Art this painting is one of the 13th century Byzantine most famous paintings it is named 'Hodegetria' meaning 'the virgin who', and the Child significance is the one that 'shows the way', which is also known as the 'Enthroned Madonna and Child'. This art is said to be a blend of Byzantine and western piece, which was painted by a Greek painter meaning that he had either been working for a western patron it reflects some western influence because of its folding cloth defining gold striations and three dimensional view of Virgin marys throne theirs also indications that he had possibly worked in Italy because of the paintings Italy popularized floral patterns this painting really represents the role of Mary as the Queen of Heaven.
Another 13th century Byzantine art painting/altarpiece is named the St James the Minor, the anonymous Italian artist was known as the master of Saint Francis. According to the National Gallery of Art in the painting Saint James wrapped swathed right arm of drapery had been inspired by an early Christians sarcophagus adornments that happened to be kept in the same exact church as the painting itself. He has created many other known Byzantine paintings such as Saint John the Evangelist and more it is said to believe the unknown artist himself could of been a Franciscan fair but that is just a belief and this mystery may continue to be unsolved and continue to be unknown whether he was or not a Franciscan fair.
Another well-known Byzantine art is Ivory Diptychs. According to our class textbook, “Christians adopted the practice of religious use,
inscribing a diptych with the names of people to be remembered with prayers during the liturgy” (pg. 248).The Archangel Michael Byzantine ivory diptychs, for example, happens to be the largest surviving Byzantine ivory diptych of the 4th centurys. This carved ivory diptych is seen as a divine messenger and is represents the holding of great authority the sphere he holds is said to symbolize great influential power/ authority.
The Harbaville triptych is another ivory diptych from the Middle Byzantine period in the mid 10th century there are two parts to this piece, which are figures (8-25A) and (8-25B). Figure A being the front and figure B being the back. According to the textbook, these triptych were used by privileged owner for the focus of private prayer it was luxurious meaning the owner was of high status and wealthy. Figure A shows Mary, St. John and Christ interacting with each other and asking Christ for forgiveness and salvation for the owner of the work. On the bottom outer panels on the bottom side it shows four apostles whom are identified as James John Paul and Andrew on the top side are four whom are identified as military Saints their are also bishop saints and martyrs On figure B represents a celestial court of saints attending Christ in paradise which happen to be organized between thematic groups. Just like on the first figure it is seen on the back a form of a large cross with animals and crops again very luxurious this is symbolizing where the owner hopes his or her destination will be showing their desired ending point (pg. 259).
The Byzantine architecture, paintings, ivory figures/sculptures all this art was displayed in many monasteries. Byzantine art is all about religious beliefs. The monistic communities are all about devotion to those who are spiritual/religious, that are able to worship to the gods. It’s all about Christian and catholic teachings. The monastic communities are able to picture the heavenly realm through the Byzantine architecture and paintings, altars panels, sculptures and more at monasteries, and be a part of religious practices such as meditation and prayer.
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