Images of archangels and angels, which were painted on the walls, in the upper parts of the buildings and, on their structural elements, were very popular in Christian Nubian painting as attested by the discoveries from Church SWN.BV on the citadel in Old Dongola. These images, which derive from pre-Christian art, depict the eternal nature of the archangels and angels. Presenting this group of representations, the author traces the origins of these images to highlight the role of these spiritual beings as intermediaries between God and humankind. As such, they move freely between the Heavens and the Earth, so the air and cosmic space are their natural surroundings. Moreover, archangels govern the forces of nature, the planets, and the seven skies. Therefore, their sanctuaries were located on hill summits, in the upper chapels, on structural elements of ecclesiastical buildings, etc. The Nubian tradition is therefore part of a broader Mediterranean tradition, the roots of which should be sought in the Near East.
The article presents selected testimonies of the cult of archangels in Late Antiquity. The accounts of martyrdom and various inscriptions are analysed, primarily from North Africa, Asia Minor, Egypt and Nubia. They have been taken mainly from the “Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity” database. Examples of both orthodox and syncretistic piety invoking the intercession of archangels are shown. The special role of the Archangel Michael has been underlined. Considerations on the admissibility of depicting angels in the Christian art of Late Antiquity are also presented.
PL
Artykuł przedstawia wybrane świadectwa kultu archaniołów w późnej starożytności. Analiza dotyczy opisów męczeństwa oraz różnych inskrypcji, przede wszystkim z terenów Afryki Północnej, Azji Mniejszej, Egiptu i Nubii. Zostały zaczerpnięte przede wszystkim z bazy danych „Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity”. Pokazane zostały zarówno przykłady ortodoksyjnej, jak i synkretystycznej pobożności przyzywającej wstawiennictwa archaniołów. Podkreślone specjalną rolę Archanioła Michała. Przedstawiono też rozważania na temat dopuszczalności wyobrażeń aniołów w sztuce chrześcijańskiej późnej starożytności.
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