St Demetrius as a winner of evil in the Byzantine and Slavic tradition (till the fifteenth century) Cover Image

Św. Demetriusz jako pogromca zła w tradycji bizantyńskiej i słowiańskiej (do XV w.)
St Demetrius as a winner of evil in the Byzantine and Slavic tradition (till the fifteenth century)

Author(s): Justyna Sprutta
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Fine Arts / Performing Arts, History of Church(es), Visual Arts, Theology and Religion, Eastern Orthodoxy
Published by: Uniwersytet Opolski
Keywords: St Demetrius; Byzantium; Balkans; Ruthenia; deacon; soldier; scorpion;

Summary/Abstract: Evil wins by good, darkness by light and profanum by sacrum in every tradition. The saints, and between them St Demetrius of Thessaloniki too, achieves an analogous victory. St Demetrius was a deacon, but he is most often presented as a soldier for example in art. The legend says that St Demetrius defeated the scorpion (the personification of evil) by the sign of the cross in prison. This saint can also win with the gladiator Lieus, emperor Maximian, tsar Kaloyan or the Turk instead of the scorpion, and he does it on horseback or on foot, with a weapon or by the calcatio gesture. Not only are there historical sources, liturgical texts or belles-lettres presenting St Demetrius, but also art as well as folklore.

  • Issue Year: 38/2018
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 159-177
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: English, Polish