Marienbilder im Blachernenheiligtum

Abstract

Abstract Only written sources from the 10th and 11th centuries inform us about the existence of images of the Mother of God in the three buildings of the Blachernae shrine at Constantinople (Great Church, Chapel of the Soros and Holy Bath). The first part of my study deals with the question of the localization of these images as well as their date and iconographical details. Furthermore, their possible material and technical features (wall paintings, mosaics or stone carvings) are discussed. In the case of the icon of the „usual miracle“ the Mother of God was doubtless represented with the Christ child on her arm. The second part of the paper investigates an icon in the Sinai Monastery with images of the Blachernitissa, Hodegetria, Hagiosoritissa and Cheimeute. The Hagiosoritissa can be identified as the icon of the Mother of God in the Chalkoprateia, probably linked with the icon of the Christos Antiphonetes. In an excursus, the returning date of the garment of the Virgin into the Blachernae sanctuary is examined.