The Theophany of the Tomic Psalter and Some Peculiarities of the Hesychastic Trinity Doctrine in One Text by John Kantakouzenos Cover Image
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Теофаничното видение от Томичовия псалтир и особеностите на исихастката тринитарна концепция в един текст на Йоан Кантакузин
The Theophany of the Tomic Psalter and Some Peculiarities of the Hesychastic Trinity Doctrine in One Text by John Kantakouzenos

Author(s): Nina Gagova
Subject(s): Language studies
Published by: Институт за литература - БАН

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the well-known full-page miniature on f. 129r in Tomich Psalter (Moscow, GIM, Muz. 2752) commissioned by an unknown Bulgarian aristocrat (by Tsar John Alexander himself?) in 1360s or early 1370s. The composition of the images is analysed from the point of view of the hesychastic Trinity doctrine demonstrated in John Kantakouzenos’ dialogue Contra Iudeam (Slavic translation from 1390s). An interpretation of the main image of the composition as following the iconographic type Paternitas (Otechestvo) is proposed. It reveals hesychasts’ special stress on the „threehypostasis-ness“ and „paternitas“ in the Holy Trinity (just like in the relation between the „monarchy“ of the Father and the „monarchy“ of the King). The placement of the miniature in the middle of the Psalter (between psalms 76 and 77) expresses its polemical essence and provides an evidence of the possible immediate reason that gave birth to this commission. Such a composition could be contemplated in the circle of the former emperor following eleventh-century models (and patterns?). They appeared after the Great Schism. Most likely Southern Slavs got acquainted with these models in some of the common Byzantine-Slavic cultural centres ( such as Constantinople, Mount Athos, Serres).

  • Issue Year: 2005
  • Issue No: 33-34
  • Page Range: 289-304
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Bulgarian