Brickwork Ornament

This paper explores the intersection of embodied cognition and sensory encounters within St Nicholas Church in Ljuboten, built in 1337 near Skopje, North Macedonia. The study focuses on the church's ornamental brickwork, particularly the apse's decorations, arguing that these features transcend mere aesthetics to facilitate immersive spirituality. Central to the analysis is the monogram of Demetrius (Dmitar), a key element concealed within the west portal, which highlights the interplay between material culture and spiritual practice. By employing a multidisciplinary approach combining art historical analysis with cognitive science insights, this research examines how the church's physical and ornamental elements engage the senses, enriching the medieval religious experience. The decorative motifs of chess fields, zigzags, and cryptograms serve as cognitive metaphors bridging the sacred and sensory, contributing to a deeper understanding of religious devotion. This paper underscores the role of sensory encounters in medieval spirituality, positioning St. Nicholas Church within the broader Byzantine and Serbian medieval cultural context.
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Članek raziskuje presečišče utelešenega spoznavanja in čutnih doživetij v cerkvi svetega Nikolaja v Ljubotenu, zgrajeni leta 1337 v bližini Skopja v Severni Makedoniji. Raziskava se osredotoča na okrasno opeko cerkve, zlasti na okrasje apside, in poudarja, da ti elementi presegajo zgolj estetiko ter omogočajo poglobljeno duhovno izkušnjo. Osrednji del analize je monogram Demetrija (Dmitra), ključni motiv, skrit v zahodnem portalu, ki izpostavlja medsebojni vpliv materialne kulture in duhovne prakse. Z multidisciplinarnim pristopom, ki združuje umetnostnozgodovinsko analizo in spoznanja kognitivne znanosti, raziskava preučuje, kako fizični in okrasni elementi cerkve vključujejo čute ter bogatijo srednjeveško versko izkušnjo. Okrasni motivi šahovskih polj, cikcak linij in kriptogramov služijo kot kognitivne metafore, ki povezujejo sveto in čutno ter prispevajo k poglobljenemu razumevanju verske pobožnosti. Prispevek poudarja pomen čutnih izkušenj v srednjeveški duhovnosti in cerkev svetega Nikolaja umešča v širši bizantinski ter srbski srednjeveški kulturni kontekst.

The authenticity and dating of the well-known Cyrillic inscription from Bitola, which was
brought to light in 1956 during the demolition of Çavus mosque, where it had been placed in second
use as a threshold, is being reviewed. Since then, it has been kept at the local museum. It consists
of a 0,98 x 0,61 x 0,27 m. marble slab, broken into two pieces. A relatively small part of the bottom
left corner of the inscription is missing. The text consists of 12 lines with missing letters both at the
beginning and at the end of each line. The bottom left part which accounts for one quarter of the
inscription text has been damaged and no traces of its letters have survived.
Although the inscription is of exceptional interest, the first study that attempted to fill in the
missing text, was carried out by Vladimir Mošin only one decade after it was brought to light. Since,
it has been the subject of studies of numerous researchers. Most of them reckon that the inscription
is the last written source of the First Bulgarian State with an accurate dating, while others question
this view and argue that it dates from the 13th century. According to a third view that was expressed
ten years ago, the inscription is falsified.
The most extensive study about the inscription was conducted in 1970 by Jordan Zaimov, who
had a different view than Mošin about the missing text. Even though his suggestion was deemed
unfounded, it is still embraced today by modern researchers in publications about the history of the
First Bulgarian State.
After an on-the-ground examination of the monument, we found out that the inscription
carrier originates from an older building, most likely from the Roman era, as evidenced from the
top narrow surface of the marble, where there are holes and channels to fit Π-shaped metal joints.
This contradicts the view that the inscription could have had another line on the top side of the
inscribed surface, which was allegedly removed when it was placed in the place of the threshold.
We also found out that the indicated date from the creation era (‘anno mundi’) was not read
correctly despite the fact that all its numbers are clearly defined. It seems that the inscription editors
were led to a mistake because of a reference made in the text to an emperor called John whom they
mistook for Ivan Vladislav thus placing the dating of the inscription to the years of his reign (1015-
1018). Nonetheless, the year indicated on the inscription corresponds to the year 1202/3, i.e. the
years of Ivan I, known as Kalojan (1197-1207), who, that same year, annexed to his acquisitions a
large part of the western Balkans.
It seems that it is an inscription that, looking back at the past, mentions some historical events
with a view to connecting the newly-established Second Bulgarian State to the glorious past of the
Cometopuli and, in particular, Tsar Samuel.

Στη βιβλιογραφία, η οικογένεια των Hippopotamidae, δεν έχει μελετηθεί ενδελεχώς ως προς τη μικροδομή της αδαμαντίνης. Πολλώ δε μάλλον μια νησιωτική ενδημική μορφή, όπως το είδος Phanourios minor. Παρά το άφθονο παλαιοντολογικό υλικό που βρίσκεται στο νησί της Κύπρου και τις μελέτες διαφόρων ειδών που έχουν διεξαχθεί σε αυτό, ως προς τη μικροδομή της αδαμαντίνης υπάρχουν ελάχιστες πληροφορίες.
Η παρούσα εργασία αποσκοπεί στη μελέτη, κατανόηση και περιγραφή της μικροδομής της αδαμαντίνης κι ενδεχόμενων μοναδικών χαρακτηριστικών, τα οποία μπορούν να παρέχουν σημαντικές φυλογενετικές πληροφορίες, ακόμα και να οδηγούν στην ταυτοποίηση του είδους.
Το οδοντικό υλικό ενδημικών νάνων ιπποπόταμων, του είδους Phanourios minor, από τη θέση Αγίας Νάπας της Κύπρου, που εξετάστηκε, αποτελείτο από 10 δόντια, διαφορετικών ανασκαφικών περιόδων. Συμπληρωματικά, εξετάστηκαν και 2 θραύσματα από δόντια του είδους Hippopotamus amphibius του Πανεπιστημίου της Βόννης.
Η ηλεκτρονική μικροσκοπία σάρωσης (SEM), ήταν ο ενδεδειγμένος τρόπος για τη διεκπεραίωση της έρευνάς μας, καθώς τόσο σε αρχαιολογικά όσο και σε παλαιοντολογικά ευρήματα, η χρήση του ηλεκτρονικού μικροσκοπίου καθίσταται απαραίτητη για την παρατήρηση της ιστολογίας των δειγμάτων. Είναι ένα χρήσιμο εργαλείο που ενδείκνυται, για τη μελέτη της μικροδομής και των μεταβολών που έχει υποστεί, τον εντοπισμό δευτερογενών ορυκτών φάσεων καθώς και την παρουσία ή μη μικροβιακής δράσης.
Τα συμπεράσματα της εργασίας, η οποία συγκαταλέγεται μεταξύ των πρώτων προσπαθειών να χαρτογραφηθεί το συγκεκριμένο ερευνητικό πεδίο, αν και αναμενόμενα κατά ένα μέρος, υπήρξαν εξαιρετικά ενδιαφέροντα. Η σύγκριση της μικροδομής της αδαμαντίνης του είδους Phanourios minor  με αυτή του είδους  Hippopotamus amphibius κατέδειξε τις μεταξύ τους διαφορές ενώ τα περαιτέρω ευρήματα μας έδωσαν στοιχεία πέραν της στοχοθεσίας μας συμβατά με τις παρατηρήσεις περί της λειτουργίας της  βιοδιάβρωσης. Βέβαια η μικροδομή της αδαμαντίνης του υπό εξέταση είδους δεν στάθηκε δυνατό να αναδειχθεί μέσω της παρούσης έρευνας σε μοναδικό δομικά χαρακτηριστικό, αν και τίποτα δεν αποκλείει μελλοντικά αυτό να συμβεί, μέσω του εμπλουτισμού της αντίστοιχης βιβλιογραφίας.

The apse of St. Demetrios Church in Markova Sušica stands as a profound testament to the intricate interplay of symbolism within the 14th century Serbian architecture. The analysis delves into the specific brickwork patterns, decoding their symbolic meaning. Drawing from the Christian symbolism and theological insights from St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. Basil the Great, the article explores the use of geometric patterns to elevate the mind toward divine contemplation. The article also integrates these symbols into the broader theological context, referencing the Еconomy of Salvation and iconographic representations within the apse. Thus, it is concluded that the apse of St. Demetrios Church emerges as a powerful embodiment of the divine principle, intricately connected to the sacred landscape of Matka. Its rounded form, reminiscent of a womb, symbolizes the nurturing embrace of the Mother of God. The interplay of colors and symbols invites the faithful on a spiritual journey guided by the divine feminine principle, providing a comprehensive exploration of the architectural and symbolic aspects of this medieval Serbian masterpiece.

Palaeographical examination of the accompanying inscriptions of the Palaeologan decoration in the Katholikon of the Vatopedi monastery 11.20-11.40 Petros KAPSOUDAS An eleventh c. inscription from the belfry of the katholikon of Megisti Lavra, Mount Athos 11.40-12.00 Oleg ULYANOV Panagiars from Athos with dedicatory inscriptions (to the history of the study) 12.00-12.20 Oleg ULYANOV A Greek Christian Text of Prophecies of the Hellenic Wise Men on Athos frescoes 12.20-12.50 Questions-Discussion 12.50-13.00 Coffee Break 3rd SESSION-Byzantine and Post-byzantine inscriptions. Case studies Chair: Dimitris LIAKOS 13.00-13.20 Paschalis ANDROUDIS Inscriptions with Psalms from the byzantine church of Prophet Eliah at Thessaloniki 13.20-13.40 Miljana MATIĆ "The stronghold of the Faithful"-Inscriptions and Cryptograms of the Elder Nestor's Cross at the Serbian Monastery of Dečani: A Reflection of Postbyzantine Monastic Practices 13.40-14.00 Darina BOYKINA The Silver Bowl from Samokov and Its Inscriptions 14.00-14.30 Questions-Discussion 14.30-17.00 Lunch Break 4th SESSION-Inscriptions in Athonite art Chair: Brad HOSTETLER 17.00-17.20 Paschalis ANDROUDIS Unknown and little-known minor inscriptions on Mount Athos 17.20-17.40 Arianna D'OTTONE RAMBACH Lā raʾà li-makdhūb-Non est consilium mendacii arguto: Mamluk wisdom on a speaking tray from Mount Athos 17.40-18.00 Frédéric TIXIER À propos d'une plaque émaillée des Rois Mages du Mont Athos : iconographie et inscriptions 18.00-18.20 Ioannis LIAKOS, Savvas PRASTITIS Notes from Cypriot musical manuscripts on Mount Athos. A first approach. 18.20-18.40 Eka TCHKOIDZE Georgian ktetor's inscriptions from Philotheou Monastery 18.40-19.10 Questions-Discussion 19.10 END OF THE CONFERENCE

This article delves into the intriguing ΦΧΦΠ cryptograms on the west facade of the St. George Church in Staro Nagoričino, shedding light on their connection to the era of King Milutin and their profound theological significance. It explores the convergence of architecture and symbolism, focusing on these cryptograms as a representation of the "True Light" within Christianity and its correlation to the concept of victory. The study delves into the influence of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. It investigates how placing these cryptograms above the church's doorway resonates with architectural and spiritual narratives. It examines the architectural features of the church's west façade, reflecting King Milutin's depiction on the north wall and his role as the "New Constantine." The cryptogram ΦΧΦΠ (Φῶς Χριστοῦ φαίνει πᾶσιν/ "The light of Christ shines upon all") is strategically placed above the bifora in the central axis of the facade, marking the four sides of the Cross. The motif depicting the true light coming into the world is painted on both sides of the interior of the west entrance, creating a liminal space. This motif references the ancient Biblical verse from the Gospel of John 1:9: "The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world". Apart from the biblical reference, the patronage inscriptions and the prayerful mention of King Stefan Uroš II Milutin Nemanjić and Queen Simonis are also highlighted. Their names are inscribed on the lintel of the portal. This study uncovers the intricate symbolism and architectural nuances of the St. George Church in Staro Nagoričino, shedding light on the interplay of liturgical and historical context in this remarkable Byzantine architectural gem.

In late 1437, after a long journey across the Mediterranean, Castilian traveller Pero Tafur reached Constantinople. Once inside the city, he gained access to the imperial court of John VIII Palaeologos, claiming ancestry ties with the emperor himself. According to Tafur, he was descended from an exiled Byzantine prince“don Pedro”, who supposedly found refuge in Spain during the 11th century. This unlikely forefather, however, was much more than just a tale fabricated by Tafur. Most notably, it constituted an integral part of the genealogy of the noble family of Álvarez de Toledo, better known as the holders of the Duchy of Alba from 1472 onwards. Firstly, this paper will seek to examine the role of Byzantine prince “don Pedro” in the construction of the genealogical narratives pertaining to the Álvarez de Toledo. Secondly, it will examine the socio-political changes in Castile which favoured such use of perceived familiar connection with Byzantium to build group identity and bolster familiar prestige. Furthermore, the present paper will aim to offer for the first time a comprehensive record of late medieval primary sources which mention the “Byzantine genealogy” of the Álvarez de Toledo.

The increased usage and exploitation of non-metals as a substitute for exploitation and processing of metals, is a trend in the world. Mechanical properties of the material are requisite for determining its application in civil engineering. This paper presents the strength characteristics of the zeolite, obtained from the Strmosh Mine, as well as its capability of water absorption. The procedure, as well as the results of the performed testing of the material are elaborated and presented, followed by a discussion about the obtained values

U odnosu na razilaženja u stavovima historiografa, modernih i suvremenih istraživača vezano uz identifikaciju kipa u izidinskoj nošnji iz Nina (Aenona), u radu će se analizirati arhivski izvori i muzejska dokumentacija o mjestu, okolnostima nalaza i povijesti kipa; definirat će se područje na kojemu je kip pronađen i utvrditi postoji li u „topografskom“ pogledu poveznica s julijevskoklaudijevskom grupom carskih kipova; vezano uz to, predstavit će se i analizirati rezultati petrografsko-mineraloške i kemijske analize kamena ženskoga kipa koja je recentno učinjena te, uz ikonografsku, formalnu i stilsku analizu, donijeti vlastite stavove o tome radi li se o kipu Izide ili njezine sljedbenice, kada je i gdje kip mogao nastati te kako se njegova pojava smješta u kontekstu municipija Enone u razdoblju principata.Given the contrasting views that historiographers and modern and contemporary researchers hold regarding the identification of the statue in the dress of Isis from Nin (Aenona), ...

Union ou sujétion Les débats ecclésiologiques entre les clergés grec et latin au lendemain de la Quatrième Croisade Pierre Bénic fc École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris Auteur original et acteur oublié de l'Histoire, Nicolas Mésaritès nous livre des témoignages de première main sur les événements qui entourent l'année 1204. Il s'agit d'une source incontournable pour comprendre les rapports qui s'établissent entre les clergés grec et latin au lendemain de la Quatrième Croisade. Là où la théologie côtoie la politique et où l'ecclésiologie affronte la géopolitique, la réalité vécue semble l'emporter jusqu'à nos jours sur les positions des diplomates et des prélats. Mésaritès est les deux à la fois et il nous permet d'observer toutes les ambivalences, les nuances et les discordes internes qui entourent ce bras de fer politico-religieux.

Multivariate statistical approaches have been increasingly applied in hemorrhagic stroke data analysis. Nevertheless, several aspects regarding their relevance and validity in respect of the application of data transformations have not been studied in details. This paper examines the effects of different data transformations in the standard statistical methods of the multivariate analysis of the intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) parameters in small group samples. Two different methods for data transformations (log transformation (log(Xi )), square root transformation (√Xi ))have been carried out. The initial volume of the ICH have been studied using several test for skewness, kurtosis, histogram distribution method and different quartile-quartile (Q-Q) and probability-probability (P-P) plots as criteria for normal distribution. Multivariate analyses for the prediction of the perifocal edema was performed using raw and transformed data. Our results indicate that the data transformation ...

Τα Σιδηροκαύσια αποτέλεσαν το κέντρο ενός από τα σημαντικότερα αργυρωρυχεία και νομισματοκοπεία των Βαλκανίων στα μέσα του 16ου. Περί το 1975 πραγματοποιήθηκαν στον χώρο περιορισμένου εύρους ανασκαφικές και σωστικές εργασίες. Το 2001, έλαβε χώρα μια διεπιστημονική χαρτογράφηση και καταγραφή των επιφανειακών αρχιτεκτονικών καταλοίπων, θέτοντας τις βάσεις για τη διαχείριση του ανεξερεύνητου, ακόμα και σήμερα, αρχαιολογικού χώρου.
Το 2010, με πόρους του Ε.Σ.Π.Α., ξεκίνησε το έργο της αποκατάστασης με κέντρο το Μικρό Λουτρό. Πρόκειται πιθανότατα για εκείνο που ίδρυσε και αφιέρωσε ο Ισχάκ Πασά (πριν το 1487) στο Αλατζά Ιμαρέτ της Θεσσαλονίκης Αναπόσπαστο κεφάλαιο αποτέλεσε η ανασκαφική διερεύνηση, η αποκατάσταση και η ανάδειξη του περιβάλλοντος χώρου του μνημείου, όπως πρεσβεύουν οι τρέχουσες θεωρίες. Έτσι, επανήλθε στο φώς ένα εκτεταμένο συγκρότημα λουτρού - τεμένους, μαζί με τμήμα του παλαιού οδικού δικτύου δίπλα σε ψηλούς αναλημματικούς τοίχους, (το υπόγειο τμήμα των παρακείμενων κτιρίων), ανασυστήνοντας την εικόνα ενός πυκνού κλιμακωτού ιστού πάνω στο έντονο ανάγλυφο.
Μέσω ενός επισταμένου αλληλοσυσχετισμού των ανασκαφικών δεδομένων, της χαρτογράφησης και των ιστορικών πηγών, άρχισε να σκιαγραφείται η τοπογραφία της πόλης των Σιδηροκαυσίων: το συγκρότημα λουτρού-τζαμιού ήταν το κέντρο της πρώτης μουσουλμανικής συνοικίας (Çami-i-Şerif), που αποτελούσε το ιστορικό και εμπορικό κέντρο του οικισμού σε ολόκληρη την εξέλιξή του και περιλάμβανε την αγορά και Καραβάν Σεράι. Απέναντι, σε μία φυσικά οχυρή θέση, βρισκόταν το Κάστρο: το διοικητικό κέντρο με την έδρα του διοικητή των μεταλλείων και το νομισματοκοπείο. Σήμερα στη θέση αυτή δεσπόζουν δύο πύργοι του 15ου αι., που πρόκειται σύντομα να αποκατασταθούν. Ωστόσο, η οργανική σύνδεση του Κάστρου με τον ιστορικό - εμπορικό πυρήνα έχει διαρραγεί με τη διάνοιξη του επαρχιακού δρόμου. Για τον σκοπό αυτό, προγραμματίζεται σε συνεργασία με τον Δήμο, η κατασκευή πεζογέφυρας, η οποία θα συνδέει τον νέο αρχαιολογικό χώρο, που μόλις αποδόθηκε στο κοινό και το θεματικό πάρκο του Αριστοτέλη. Το πάρκο λειτουργεί αρκετά χρόνια στον χώρο του Κάστρου ως οργανωμένος χώρος αναψυχής και υποστηρίζεται από τις απαραίτητες υποδομές (πάρκινγκ, αναψυκτήριο).
Σε επόμενη φάση, περιλαμβάνεται η αποκατάσταση της σχέσης με τον ενοριακό ναό του 19ου αι., η ανίχνευση των αρχαίων δρόμων με ορειβατικά μονοπάτια ή και περισσότερο βιωματικές προσεγγίσεις, όπως λ.χ. η λειτουργία ενός χαμάμ. Έτσι, σε έναν χώρο, που εσφαλμένα είχε συνδεθεί με τον Αριστοτέλη, αποκαθίσταται σταδιακά η ιστορική ταυτότητα και εξοικειώνεται η τοπική κοινωνία με την πραγματική ιστορία.

Conducted researches for determination of the depth of moho discontinuity in the Republic of Macedonia dates back a long time and starts with the completion of deep seismic sounding profiles along Tetovo - Kocani and Debar - Delcevo. Using these data in the paper is an analysis of the depth of moho discontinuity depending on the amount of relief, Bouguer's anomaly and speed of neo - tectonic elevation. An discretization is made on the space with network at a distance of 5 km and each point is defined correlation coefficient and depth mojo discontinuity of the presented parameters. Based on the results, a map of moho discontinuity in the Republic of Macedonia was made. Moho discontinuity depth varies from minimum depth near Sveti Nikole about 30 km to a maximum depth of the East to the Bulgarian border and west to Albania 45 to 50 km. The research reveals an interesting pick in the result section of Ohrid - Prespa region for a very small depth of Moho discontinuity but for this p...

Materiality and Brickwork: Façades of Churches in
Constantinople under the Palaiologoi

In Constantinopolitan architecture during the period of Palaiologoi brick was used as one of the main building materials. The paper
proposes that the materiality of the wall originally included the exterior brick elements, and that brick made of soil was a substantial part of
the ritual experience of the church. Regarding brickwork preserved within main examples of the last phase of Constantinopolitan architecture,
art historians followed the convention and used the term “aniconic” to designate the nature of the wall exterior articulation: a system of semiotic
signifiers disguised as non-representational, non-figural representations of crosses or vegetal patterns but imbued with symbolic values. It is, however, precisely this so-called absence of narrative voice that allows the aniconic decoration to play a substantial role in sacred architecture: the entire surface of the façade as sacred skin and substance of the church turns into a kind of tapestry. Having in mind the variety of previous approaches to the topic, it is interesting to demonstrate the previously unexplored aesthetic connection between the concept of brickwork made by Earth and certain core aspects of transcendental teachings, such as the idea of infiltrating transcendental vision. It is possible to understand these ornaments as the substance of Constantinopolitan architectural content and its intellectual tradition during the Palaiologan dynasty.

This paper examines the implications of the political agreements with Bulgaria and Greece for the Macedonian society and their reflection among Macedonian intellectuals. The agreements preconditioned the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Macedonia with the change of the constitutional name into ‘Republic of North Macedonia,’ followed by the politically dictated self-revision of the history of the Macedonian nation by putting an end to the ‘Macedonism.’ The first part of the qualitative analysis suggests that the agreements impose the revision of the Macedonian national narrative by replicating the national history of Bulgaria and Greece, which essentially challenges and delegitimises the identity of the Macedonian nation. This is expected to be reflected in the revised school textbooks from which the new generations will learn about the new history of the citizens of ‘North Macedonia.’ The second part of the paper is based on qualitative research on twenty-two interviewees, members of the Macedonian academic community, about their perception of the extent to which the agreements may affect the Macedonian national identity, their attitudes towards the establishment of the committees on education and historical interpretation established in the agreements, and their opinion about the future.

Dehumanisation of pagans and heretics: Gregory Tsamblak on non-Orthodoxes in Martyrdom of John the New The image of the non-Orthodox in Camblak's work is unequivocally negative. Behind the abusive rhetoric lie patterns well known to social psychology. One can easily recognize the author's dehumanizing attitude, which reveals the meaning of many elements of Camblak's narrative in The Martyrdom of John the New. The concept of dehumanization is useful for the study of the attitude of medieval literate elites towards minorities. Although at its core it concerns cognitive phenomena it immediately makes us think about their behavioral implications.

Inside the church of Panagia Charitomeni, or Chartomeni, located in Chorio of Symi island, there is a medium-sized triptych (66×85 cm), among various other portable icons. The majority of its painted surface is preserved in very good condition. In the central part of the triptych the three persons of the Holy Trinity and the Hypapante are depicted, whilst on the right and the left wings we can see groups of saints and the Crucifixion of Jesus. The triptych is unsigned or, maybe, the signature of the painter is not visible today. Its style resembles the art of paintings which are dated at the end of the Late-Byzantine and the beginning of the Post-Byzantine period.

Η ανέγερση του ναού των Εισοδίων της Θεοτόκου της Τσατάλτσας (Χωριστής Δράμας) αποφασίστηκε το 1902 από το μητροπολίτη Φιλίππων, Δράμας και Ζιχνών Χρυσόστομο (1867-1922), μετέπειτα εθνομάρτυρα Σμύρνης  και το σχετικό φιρμάνι εκδόθηκε τον Ιούνιο του 1903. Η θεμελίωση έγινε στις 14/11/1903, ο ναός ολοκληρώθηκε το Νοέμβριο του 1906 και  εγκαινιάστηκε το 1907 χρηματοδοτούμενος αποκλειστικά από τη φορολογία επί του καπνού της ακμαίας Ελληνορθόδοξης Κοινότητας της.
Τη μελέτη της δυσυπόστατης τρίκλιτης ξυλόστεγης βασιλικής με πειόσχημο γυναικωνίτη και κεντρικό πυργοειδές κωδωνοστάσιο, εκπόνησε ο εγκαταστημένος στη Δράμα αυστριακός Konrad von Vilas (1866-1929), μηχανικός του Ενωτικού Σιδηροδρόμου Κωνσταντινούπολης-Θεσσαλονίκης. Πρότυπό του ήταν ο καθολικός ναός του Αγ. Ιωσήφ, που κατασκευάστηκε στο Δεδέαγατς τα έτη 1896-1901 πιθανότατα μελετημένος από τον ίδιο. Στο ναό ενσωμάτωσε το κεντρικό κωδωνοστάσιο με πρότυπο το αντίστοιχο της Αγ. Φωτεινής της Σμύρνης, πιθανή επιλογή του Χρυσόστομου.
Η επιλογή του συγκεκριμένου αρχιτέκτονα που εισήγαγε δυτικές ιδέες, διακοσμητική διάθεση εναρμονισμένη με την περίοδο της belle epoque, και το castellated style στο ναό, χρησιμοποιώντας όμως την παραδοσιακή τεχνολογία, οφείλεται στην προοδευτικότητα του Χρυσόστομου, που είχε γαλουχηθεί στον κοσμοπολιτισμό και στην πολυπολιτισμικότητα της Ιωνίας, αλλά και στην αποδεδειγμένη ανεκτικότητα του έναντι των άλλων δογμάτων. Αλλά και στην πρόθεσή του να διαφοροποιηθεί δραστικά από τον Πατριάρχη Ιωακείμ Γ΄ και τους περί αυτόν αρχιτέκτονες, καθώς διαφωνούσε με τις αρχές της εθναρχικής παράδοσης και της οικουμενικής ιδεολογίας του Ιωακείμ.

“Οικιστικές θέσεις από το Αγγελόκαστρο έως το Βλοχό κατά τον ύστερο Μεσαίωνα και την Οθωμανική περίοδο”
Η οικιστική εξέλιξη του ευρύτερου χώρου που ορίζεται  μεταξύ του Αγγελόκαστρου και του Βλοχού εξετάζεται μέσα από την αποδελτίωση ιστορικών πηγών κατά τον ύστερο Μεσαίωνα και την Οθωμανική περίοδο(13ος -  αρχές 19ου μ.Χ. αιώνα). Ως πηγές λογίζονται, κώδικες, αρχεία (Ανδεγαυικά, Ενετικά, Οθωμανικά), αναφορές περιηγητών (Κυριaκός Αγκωνίτης (15ος μ.Χ. αιώνας), Evliya Çelebi (17ος μ.Χ. αιώνας), χρονικά, χάρτες και σχεδιαγράμματα εποχής. Χρησιμοποιώντας  επίσης συναφείς πηγές όπως,  μεταγενέστερους χάρτες, ανάλογα  κείμενα μεταγενέστερων περιηγητών, ύστερων ιστορικών και μελετητών, αποτυπώνεται  συμπερασματικά ο οικιστικός μετασχηματισμός του χώρου τη περίοδο αυτή.
    Αγγελόκαστρο-Βλοχός δυο χαρακτηριστικές οικιστικές θέσεις  που συνυπάρχουν διαχρονικά ακόμη και σήμερα, σαν αρχή και τέλος σε μια νοητή διαγώνια γραμμή του Αιτωλικού πεδίου με κατεύθυνση από ΝΔ προς ΒΑ. Με βάση λοιπόν το γενικό πολεοδομικό σχέδιο Δημοτικής Ενότητας Δήμου Αγρινίου σύμφωνα με το Φ.Ε.Κ. 14ΑΑΠ/2013 , (απόσπασμα στην εικόνα 1) διακρίνουμε τον ευρύτερο χώρο που περικλείεται μεταξύ Αγγελόκαστρου και Βλοχού, αλλά και την σημερινή οικιστική εξέλιξή του, μέσα στα όρια του διευρυμένου πλέον Δήμου Αγρινίου. 
Ας προσεγγίσουμε όμως την εξέλιξη αυτή  του συγκεκριμένου  χώρου σε μία χρονική περίοδο προγενέστερη, δηλαδή κατά τον ύστερο Μεσαίωνα και την Οθωμανική περίοδο (13ος -  αρχές 19ου μ.Χ. αιώνα), ερευνώντας τον ιστορικά – βιβλιογραφικά.


"Wohngebiete von Angelokastro bis Vlochos im späten Mittelalter und in der osmanischen Zeit"
Die Wohnbebauung des zwischen Angelokastro und Vlochos definierten Weiteren wird durch die Erschließung historischer Quellen im Spätmittelalter und in der osmanischen Zeit (13.-18.  Jahrhundert n. Chr.) untersucht. Wie Quellen berücksichtigt werden, Codes, Archive (Register Angioini, venezianisch, osmanisch), Referenzen von Reisenden (Kyriakos Anconitis (15.  Jahrhundert n. Chr.), Evliya Çelebi (17.  Jahrhundert  n. Chr.)., Chroniken, Karten und Periodendiagramme. Anhand auch relevanter Quellen wie späterer Karten, ähnlicher Texte späterer Reisender, späterer Historiker und Gelehrter wird die Wohnumwandlung des Gebietes in dieser Zeit abgeschlossen.

Multivariate statistical approaches have been increasingly applied in hemorrhagic stroke data analysis. Nevertheless, several aspects regarding their relevance and validity in respect of the application of data transformations have not been studied in details. This paper examines the effects of different data transformations in the standard statistical methods of the multivariate analysis of the intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) parameters in small group samples. Two different methods for data transformations (log transformation (log(Xi )), square root transformation (√Xi ))have been carried out. The initial volume of the ICH have been studied using several test for skewness, kurtosis, histogram distribution method and different quartile-quartile (Q-Q) and probability-probability (P-P) plots as criteria for normal distribution. Multivariate analyses for the prediction of the perifocal edema was performed using raw and transformed data. Our results indicate that the data transformation ...

Multivariate statistical approaches have been increasingly applied in hemorrhagic stroke data analysis. Nevertheless, several aspects regarding their relevance and validity in respect of the application of data transformations have not been studied in details. This paper examines the effects of different data transformations in the standard statistical methods of the multivariate analysis of the intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) parameters in small group samples. Two different methods for data transformations (log transformation (log(Xi )), square root transformation (√Xi ))have been carried out. The initial volume of the ICH have been studied using several test for skewness, kurtosis, histogram distribution method and different quartile-quartile (Q-Q) and probability-probability (P-P) plots as criteria for normal distribution. Multivariate analyses for the prediction of the perifocal edema was performed using raw and transformed data. Our results indicate that the data transformation ...

Multivariate statistical approaches have been increasingly applied in hemorrhagic stroke data analysis. Nevertheless, several aspects regarding their relevance and validity in respect of the application of data transformations have not been studied in details. This paper examines the effects of different data transformations in the standard statistical methods of the multivariate analysis of the intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) parameters in small group samples. Two different methods for data transformations (log transformation (log(Xi )), square root transformation (√Xi ))have been carried out. The initial volume of the ICH have been studied using several test for skewness, kurtosis, histogram distribution method and different quartile-quartile (Q-Q) and probability-probability (P-P) plots as criteria for normal distribution. Multivariate analyses for the prediction of the perifocal edema was performed using raw and transformed data. Our results indicate that the data transformation ...

A produção e o uso intensivo do tijolo na elaboração de galpões industriais  implicou na modelação de novas paisagens culturais, delimitando grandes territórios ligados à este material. Neste contexto observa-se a  absorção do tijolo em  seu uso aparente na  transformação do ambiente fabril e seu entorno na região do médio vale do Paraíba do sul, numa circunscrição temporal que abrange do fim do século XIX a meados do XX. Este trabalho é resultado de um projeto de investigação desenvolvido junto à Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Lisboa e ao GEPAS, Grupo de Estudos do Patrimônio, Arte e Sociedade, e que focou num levantamento de tijolos e olarias remanescentes e o uso deste material na alvenaria em dois complexos fabris de grande relevância, a Companhia Taubaté Industrial e a Tecelagem Parahyba. Uma leitura analítica deste inventário permitiu compreender  usos éticos e estéticos deste material. Foi assim possível entender a evolução do uso do tijolo aparente na problemática técnica da sua realização por expoentes de diferentes escolas de conceber e fazer arquitetura e, desta forma produzir um documento para sensibilização acerca deste patrimônio da cultura material.
Palavras-chave: Alvenaria de tijolo, poética arquitetônica, paisagem industrial, Tecelagem Parahyba, Companhia Taubaté Industrial

Maximus the Greek has been frequently misunderstood because of his individual use
of the Slavic language. Born as Mikhail Trivolis in the Greek town of Arta, he received his humanist
education in North Italy, particularly in Florence and Venice, where he was engaged in the process
of the first editions of printed books and where he would constantly deal with manuscript samples.
His original, authorial work, as preserved in his manuscripts, reflects his awareness of firm Orthodox
theology and at the same time a special attention to grammatical rules. The paper shows how his use
of the (Slavic) language was at all times intentional and at the same time profoundly influenced by the
metrical rules of liturgical emphasis. Through such attitude, Maximus the Greek managed to create
his own, deeply personal language and to express the complexity of Byzantine patristic, hagiographic
and iconographic issues. Finally, he successfully established his Orthodox theological system, significantly
marked with the poetic effect that strongly inspired his theological works.

Ο προσπορισµός υλικών δοµής αποτελούσε ανέκαθεν µια µόνιµη ανάγκη, είτε επρόκειτο για ιδιωτικές οικίες είτε για δηµόσια οικοδοµήµατα, λατρευτικά µνηµεία ή έργα αµυντικής αρχιτεκτονικής. Η εξασφάλιση έτοιµου δοµικού υλικού, δηλαδή η επαναχρησιµοποίηση αρχιτεκτονικών µελών από παλαιότερα κτίρια, ερειπωµένα ή κατεστραµµένα, έλυνε ένα σηµαντικό πρόβληµα ιδίως σε περιοχές όπως η Αχαΐα, που στερούνται λατοµείων. Η ενσωµάτωση αρχαίων µελών σε µεταγενέστερα κτίσµατα είναι αυτονόητη σε τόπους που κατοικήθηκαν αδιάκοπα στο πέρασµα των αιώνων. Εξάλλου η ίδια η δευτερογενής χρήση υποδηλώνει την αδιάσπαστη συνέχεια στην ιστορία ενός τόπου, δίχως να παραβλέπουµε το ενδεχόµενο µεταφοράς οικοδοµικού υλικού από µακρυά -συχνά συµβαίνει οι δοµικοί λίθοι να έχουν διανύσει µεγάλες αποστάσεις.

Ο ναός των Ταξιαρχών είναι ένα από τα λιγότερο μελετημένα μνημεία της πόλης. Πρόκειται για ένα οικοδόμημα που καθ΄όλη τη διάρκεια της ζωής του δέχτηκε πολλαπλές αναστηλώσεις και μετατροπές, για την προσαρμογή του στις λειτουργικές απαιτήσεις και τις αισθητικές αντιλήψεις της κάθε εποχής. Η παρούσα μελέτη επιχειρεί να διακρίνει τις τρεις πλέον πρόσφατες οικοδομικές του φάσεις: α. Τις εργασίες αποκατάστασης και επέκτασης της δεκαετίας 1950-60, στις οποίες οφείλει τη σημερινή του μορφή, β. Τις μετατροπές που έγιναν κατά τη διάρκεια του μεσοπολέμου μετά την απόδοση του μνημείου στη χριστιανική θρησκεία. γ. Τις επεμβάσεις που πραγματοποιήθηκαν όταν ο βυζαντινός ναός μετατράπηκε σε τζαμί κατά την Τουρκοκρατία. Τέλος η μελέτη θέτει ερωτήματα σχετικά με τη μορφή του μνημείου κατά την υστεροβυζαντινή περίοδο και την ύπαρξη μίας ή και περισσότερων ακόμα προγενέστερων οικοδομικών φάσεων.
The church of Taxiarches is one of the least examined and published churches of the city. Throughout its whole life, from the Byzantine period till today, it has been a subject of restorations and modifications adapting to the functional needs and the aesthetics of each epoch. The present study attempts to distinguish the three most recent building phases: a. The 1950-60 restoration and expansion (which gave the church its present form), b. The modifications after the conversion of the monument from a mosque to a Christian church at the interwar period and c. The alterations after its conversion from church to mosque during the Ottoman occupation. Furthermore, the study raises some questions concerning the form and architectural type of the late-Byzantine monument and the existence of even more earlier building phases.

Maximus the Greek born as Mikhail Trivolis in the Greek town of Arta, received his humanist education in North Italy, particularly in Florence and Venice, where he was engaged in the process of the first editions of printed books and where he would constantly deal with manuscript samples. The paper shows how Maximus the Greek managed to create his own, deeply personal language and to express the complexity of Byzantine patristic, hagiographic and iconographic issues. Finally, he successfully established his Orthodox theological system, significantly
marked with the poetic effect that strongly inspired his theological works.

Biblical Reminiscences in Image and Text on Byzantine Lead Seals

Information on a Byzantine seal primarily consists of a seal owner’s  personal data.  Apart from the emperor and patriarch these persons were almost exclusively dignitaries of the state and the church and so seals are a diachronic source for administrative and socio-historical studies of the empire’s capital and periphery. Christianity was a central component of the ideology of the Byzantine state, affecting everyday life, the education and orientation of homo byzantinus, who absorbed the Christian tradition by visiting a church, where the Bible and liturgical texts were read, sung and interpreted. The whole system of education was based on Christian doctrine. In this way the religious component, especially on seals, but also on other sorts of literary and artistic production, is an ekphrasis of an overlapping public ideology stamping the empire till the decline.
In principal, biblical reminiscences on seals can be divided up into three main categories: a) figure/representation, b) text/inscription, and c) combination of figure and text, the latter often based on an interaction between them. The resort to biblical tradition either serves an ideological-political program (in a broader sense) or is the result of a personal commitment of the sealing person (or his family) to a certain religious center or a venerated icon etc. And concerning content and iconography two ideals of a Byzantine aristocrat are reflected in using a biblical repertoire: demonstration of a more elevated education and expansive charity (as donor of churches, monasteries, icons and liturgical objects, or almsgiving to the poor), signs of a higher social status. That is aptly expressed in the seal’s type of Andronikos Rogerios σεβαστός, who renewed the monastery of the Theotokos Chrysokamariotissa.
To advance their role as almsgivers to the poor and needy Maria Skleraina σεβαστή and Sisinnios μάγιστρος use on their seals and tesserae inscriptions connected with the bible via hymnography. The resort to the bible for the iconography and content of the sigillographic repertoire (especially in metrical legends) is normally based on hymnography, only in exceptions on the bible itself. Serving a political program are psalms connected with the ideology of the iconoclast emperors Leon III and Constantine V, used by some of their close collaborators. Only rarely are biblical references removed from their original context and attributed to saints. Within high society there are especially members of the imperial family (in a broader sense) displaying their education on a very high rhetorical level using biblical metaphoric.
In the repertoire of the seals the Mother of God is by far best represented in figure and text, because of her high prestige in orthodoxy as intercessor between God and mankind; other biblical persons are more rarely represented than some saints who are highly venerated in orthodoxy. If biblical persons are depicted or acclaimed (in kind of a short prayer) they are either a patron saint or there is another connection. Scenes, prophets and psalms of the Old Testament are minimally present compared with the New Testament. Personalities of the Old Testament were integrated if their names functioned as Christian names at baptism (Elias, David, Samuel), or if they were directly connected with the incarnation of Jesus Christ (e. g. Mary’s parents Anna and Zacharias). Well documented is Ioannes Prodromos, because he is closely tied to the Lord as his precursor.  John of course became a very common name in the Byzantine society. As for the apostles we meet especially Peter and Paul (mostly together) and Andreas, who had many religious centers in the empire. The archangel Michael – as general of the heavenly forces - was quite popular on seals of higher military commanders. Theodoros Prodromos tells us that Michael was depicted on the imperial garment when the emperor went to war. Byzantine female aristocrats referred in content and figures of their seals exclusively to the Mother of God – the principal social role of a Byzantine woman was being a mother.

Information on a Byzantine seal primarily consists of a seal owner's personal data. Apart from the emperor and patriarch these persons were almost exclusively dignitaries of the state and the church and so seals are a diachronic source for administrative and socio-historical studies of the empire's capital and periphery. Christianity was a central component of the ideology of the Byzantine state, affecting everyday