The aim of this study is to determine the scenes with incense burner depictions and the figures carrying them in the rock-carved churches of the Cappadocia Region during the Byzantine Empire and to evaluate the scenes within the framework of Byzantine metalwork. The Cappadocia Region has become one of the important monastery settlements since the early centuries. The churches connected to the monastery are the places where the community living in the region practices worship. The monumental paintings on the walls and the details of the themed scenes bear similarities with the religious objects (such as crosses and incense burners) used during liturgy. Byzantine incense burners have changed through centuries in terms of form and decoration. However, the forms adopted by the Byzantine artists have continued to be depicted in the details of traditionally themed scenes. The incense burners used in different ceremonies and rituals during the Byzantine Empire can be briefly identified as containers for burning fragrant plants. Incense burners are one of the indispensable religious objects of the Orthodox faith and were used for the fumigation of sacred places. They were used during various rituals in churches, at funerals and even during imperial ceremonies. Depictions of incense burners in Cappadocia rock-carved churches can be seen at death and funeral ceremonies of the Dormition of Virgin Mary (Koimesis) and the “Women in the Empty Tomb (Myrophoros)” scenes, church rituals and in pictures depicting deacons Stephanos, Romanos. Scene of the Dormition of Virgin Mary (Koimesis) is located at Göreme Kılıçlar Kuşluk Meryem Ana, Çeltek Acıözü Güney, Güllüdere Ayvalı and Gülşehir Karşı Church; the Women in the Empty Tomb (Myrophoros) scene is located at Göreme, Elmalı, Karanlık, Çarıklı, Gülşehir, and Nevşehir Tatların in the church number two, deacose saints are located at Ihlara Yılanlı, Erdemli Saint Eusthatios, Belisırma Saint Georgios, Bezirhane, Ürgüp Ayvalı, Gülşehir Karşı and Niğde Eski Gümüş Monastry Church. Examinations of the details show that the incense burners carried by the figures are depicted in various forms and styles. It is possible to find incense burners similar to those in the visuals in museums and collections across Turkey and abroad.
Primary Language | Turkish |
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Journal Section | Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | June 30, 2020 |
Submission Date | September 27, 2019 |
Acceptance Date | January 7, 2020 |
Published in Issue | Year 2020 Volume: 37 Issue: 1 |
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