Exploring the Sacred Relics and Artistry of Vatopedi’s Byzantine Encolpia
The Byzantine encolpia of the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos, a collection spanning from the 6th to the early 15th centuries, represents a remarkable blend of religious significance and artistic craftsmanship. These encolpia, small objects intended for suspension, often held by a movable ring, vary in materials, types, and construction techniques, reflecting the hierarchical organization of Byzantine society and the diverse demands of its patrons.
Encolpion, a term with broad implications, encompasses flat or relic-holding crosses as well as circular, rectangular, or polygonal iconographic items, with or without holy relics. Their power emanates from these relics and their iconographic themes. Among the 64 objects in the collection, 16 are crosses, 9 of which are single-piece and 7 composite.
The Vatopedi encolpia were documented by Russian traveler Grigorovic Barskij during his 1744 visit to Mount Athos. At that time, they were stored in a chest in the monastery’s sanctuary along with the precious relic of the Virgin Mary’s Belt.
In total, photographs of 13 encolpia from the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi (front views for all, rear views for two) are presented, sourced from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople’s website. Accompanying these images is text by Brigitte Pitarakis, which is highly recommended for further reading.
References
- “Byzantine Encolpia of Vatopedi Monastery.” Leipsanothiki, January 2013. Accessed December 16, 2023. leipsanothiki.blogspot.com.
