Reliquaries of Itinerant Monks in Bulgaria during the 18th and 19th Centuries: Between Images, Texts, and Rite
Reliquaries of Itinerant Monks in Bulgaria during the 18th and 19th Centuries: Between Images, Texts, and Rite

Summary/Abstract: The study focuses on a group of reliquaries, used by itinerant monks (the so­called taxidiotic box­es), bearing images with liturgical meaning and symbolism. Based on the iconographic analysis of several taxidiotic boxes from the Rila Monastery, the Bachkovo Monastery, the Intercession of Mother of God Monastery in Samokov, and the Monastery of the Ascension of Christ near the village of Dolni Lozen (Sofia), and in light of some written sources, the article examines the relationship between the liturgical function of relics within the context of the taxidiotic activities, and the decoration of taxidiotic boxes dating from the second half of the 18th century to the end of 19th century.

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