source: Cyprus Folk Art Museum, The Cyprus Institute-STARC
country: Cyprus
rights: The Cyprus Institute - STARC, Cyprus Folk Art Museum
Name: Gold plated Sanctuary Gateway
Description: This object is a gold plated Sanctuary Gateway also called as “Βημόθυρο” (Vimothyro). In the upper part a depiction of the Annunciation is shown and at the bottom the three Holy Hierarchs as well as Agios Herakleidios. The Annunciation is depicted in a trilobate while at the bottom of the arcs there are serrated carved edges. The trilobate is surrounded by embossed acanthus leaves and branches. At the bottom, the figures of the saints are depicted in a semi-circular serrated arch, with a Gothic gable finish at its top and alternating red and green colours. The arches are supported by large columns with Corinthian capitals that were decorated with carved and incised volutes and a finish of acanthus leaves. At the top left of the Sanctuary Gateway, where the Annunciation is depicted, there is a representation of the Archangel Gabriel in red clothes, holding a palm leaf, he is ready to announce the message of God to Virgin Mary. Virgin Mary is represented sitting with her arms raised as an indication of greeting, superiority of the archangel and condescension to God’s will. At the back of the scene there are various buildings. At the bottom right there are depictions of the saints Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, while at the bottom left there is a depiction of Basil the Great and Agios Herakleidios. They are all pontifically dressed, with their right hand raised for the blessing and their left hand is holding the Gospel. Sanctuary Gateways in Orthodox Churches are located in the centre of the iconostasis. They symbolise the Closed Gate as a consequence of the ancestral sin. Since the Annunciation the gate opened again. For this reason, the Sanctuary Gateways are usually opened and closed by the priest at certain moments during the Divine Liturgy, in order to remind and represent the salutary role that Mary had for the whole of mankind. The object is part of the Cyprus Folk Art Museum collection.
display_date: 17th century AD
Type: Woodcraft
Location_name: Nicosia, Cyprus
Geopolitical_area: Nicosia District, Cyprus
x: 35.166667
y: 33.366667