FRAGRANT SEAL OF THE SPIRIT: THE AESTHETICS OF CHRISM

• Authors: Diaconu Mădălina
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Despite recent developments in the fields of olfactory aesthetics, phenomenology of liturgy, religious aesthetics, and theological aesthetics, the complex presence of odours in the Christian culture has been scarcely discussed. This study is meant as a contribution to a future systematic exploration of the aesthetic ‘osmology’ of theology, by focusing on the fragrant chrism oil (in the Eastern Church called Holy Myron). Technical-historical explanations regarding the olfactory composition, preparation and use of this sacramental oil are followed by an examination of the semantics of its odour in patristic theology and medieval popular imaginary. This rich symbolism has been lost in the ‘anosmic’ modern Catholic and Orthodox sacramental theology.

Keywords

EN

FRAGRANCE; HEOLOGICAL AESTHETICS; CHRISM OIL MYRON; SPIRITUALITY; SYMBOLISM

• Publisher: Society for Aesthetics in Slovakia ad Institute of Aesthetics and Art Culture
• Journal: ESPES
• Year: 2024
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 64 - 80

Contributors

author

Diaconu Mădălina

• University of Vienna, Department of Philosophy, NIG Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Identifiers

DOI

10.5281/zenodo.12732265