Chora Museum Constantinople

Inner Narthex Mosaics of Chora

7- The First Seven Steps: Mary is walking toward her mother with the help of a maid.

  • The First Seven Steps of Virgin Mary
  • The First Seven Steps of Virgin Mary
  • The First Seven Steps of Virgin Mary

 

8- Accompanied with two servants, Joachim & Anna are hugging Mary. In each side of them, there are two peacocks. The peacocks symbolize the nobility and resurrection. According to a legend that the flesh of a peacock doesn’t decay quickly, it’s also the symbol of immortality. And due to the eyes on its tail, it is also a symbol of God who sees all.

  • Joachim & Anna are hugging Mary, Inner Narthex of Chora Museum
  • Joachim & Anna are hugging Mary, Inner Narthex of Chora Museum
  • Joachim & Anna are hugging Mary, Inner Narthex of Chora Museum
  • Joachim & Anna are hugging Mary, Inner Narthex of Chora Museum
  • Joachim & Anna are hugging Mary, Inner Narthex of Chora Museum
  • Joachim & Anna are hugging Mary, Inner Narthex of Chora Museum
  • Joachim & Anna are hugging Mary, Inner Narthex of Chora Museum

9-  Mary is taken by her father to three priests who are going to bless her. The hands of Joachim is covered because of touching a sacred one.

  • 10- Mary is taken by her father to three priests who are going to bless her.
  • 10- Mary is taken by her father to three priests who are going to bless her.

 

10- On his promise to give her in the service of God, Anna & Joachim bring the three year old Mary to the temple. Now, Mary is seated on the altar and the archangel is giving holy bread to Mary.

  • Anna & Joachim bring the three year old Mary to the temple.
  • Anna & Joachim bring the three year old Mary to the temple.
  • Anna & Joachim bring the three year old Mary to the temple.
  • Anna & Joachim bring the three year old Mary to the temple.
  • Anna & Joachim bring the three year old Mary to the temple.

11- Virgin seated on an altar in the church is taking bread from the archangel Gabriel. She has the monogram ‘’Theotokos’’ over her head.

12- Virgin seated on an altar in the church is taking bread from the archangel Gabriel. She has the monogram ‘’Theotokos’’ over her head.

12- There are three priests on the stairs of the church. They are giving skeins to the virgins. One of them is Mary who takes the purple one which symbolizes the nobility of Mary.

three priests on the stairs of the church - Chora Church

13- On the top of the ciborium, 15 years old Mary is seated with 12 rods in front of her. The rods are from the prospective grooms who are widowers and will seal the fate of her. Zacharias is kneeling down before Mary.

15 years old Mary Mosaic in Chora Museum

14- When Joseph’s rod branches out, Joseph is accepted as the husband of Mary. Zacharios stands behind Mary and Joseph is walking toward them. Behind Joseph, the other prospective grooms are standing.

  • Joseph is accepted as the husband of Mary
  • Joseph is accepted as the husband of Mary

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About the author

hagiasophiatr

Hagia Sophia Research Team (HSRT) consists of a group of people who likes to research Byzantine Heritage in Turkey by visiting and taking photos of the historical places.

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