11 works, Today, November 28th, is Martyr Stephen the New's day, his story, illustrated #331

Santo Peranda, (1566-1638)

The Martyrdom of St. Stephen

View this image in full resolution

Church of San Stefano, Venice, Italy

The canvas is done in Peranda's usual grand style, full of energy yet carefully composed to balance the half-circle of light enclosing the heavenly figures and the luminous triangle described by the Father, Son, and Stephen, who wears a dalmatic such as would be worn by deacons of the artist's time. More on this work

Sante Peranda (1566–1638) was an Italian painter of the late-Renaissance period.

He was a pupil of Leonardo Corona and later Palma il Giovane. Also known as Santo Peranda. He painted a Descent from the cross for San Procolo in Venice. He painted The defeat of the Saracens for the Ducal Palace of Modena. He painted the Gathering of the Manna for the church of the San Bartolome. In 1623 he finished Glorious Mysteries for the church of San Nicolò in Treviso. Among his pupils were Francesco Maffei, Matteo Ponzone, and Filippo Zaniberti. More on Sante Peranda

The Holy Monk Martyr and Confessor Stephen the New was born in 715 at Constantinople into a pious Christian family. His parents, having two daughters, prayed the Lord for the birth of a son. The mother of the new-born Stephen took him to the Blakhernae church in honour of the Most Holy Mother of God and dedicated him to God.

Unknown artist

Synaxarion of the Holy Confessor Stephen the New
I have no further description, at this time

During the time of the emperor Leo the Isaurian (716-741) there began persecution against holy icons and against those venerating them. With the support of the emperor, the adherents of the Iconoclast heresy seized control of the supreme positions of authority in the empire and in the Church. 

Unknown artist

BYZANTINE ICONOCLASTS, c. 1066

Emperor Leo the Isaurian and the Iconoclasts rubbing out an image of Christ. Left Council of Constantinople, 815. Illumination from a manuscript psalter made in the Monastery of Studios, Constantinople.

Persecuted by the powers of this world, Orthodoxy was preserved in monasteries distant from the capital, in solitary cells and in the brave and faithful hearts of its followers. The Orthodox parents of Saint Stephen, grieved by the surrounding impiety, fled from Constantinople to Bithynia, and they gave over their sixteen year old son in obedience to Blessed John, who asceticised in a solitary place on the Mount of Saint Auxentios. Saint Stephen dwelt more than 15 years with Blessed John, having devoted himself totally to this spirit-bearing elder, and learning monastic activity from him. Here then Stephen received the news that his father was dead, and his mother and sisters had taken monastic tonsure.

Unknown artist

Saint Stephen the Younger, c.1651

Fresco

Church of Agios Georgios, of Vounos, Kastoria.

Saint Stephen the Younger is depicted as a Magnificent Monk, having next to him the chronographer Saint Theophanes of Syriani, who recorded the life and martyrdom of Saint Stephen. The two holy Confessors are shown holding among themselves a small portable image of Christ, indicative of their praiseworthy and successful struggles for the final restoration of the sacred icons.

After a certain while his teacher, Blessed John, also died. With deep sorrow Saint Stephen buried his venerable body, and by himself continued with monastic effort in his cave. Soon monks began to come to the ascetic, desiring to learn from him the virtuous and salvific life, and there gradually emerged a monastery, the hegumen of which was Saint Stephen. At forty-two years of age Stephen left the monastery founded by him, and he went to another mountain, on the summit of which he dwelt in deep seclusion in a solitary cell. But here also soon gathered a community of monks, seeking the spiritual guidance of Saint Stephen.

Unknown artist

Miniature from the 9th-century Chludov Psalter with scene of iconoclasm

Iconoclasts John Grammaticus and Anthony I of Constantinople

Chludov Psalter; Moscow, Hist. Mus. MS. D.129) is an illuminated marginal Psalter made in the middle of the 9th Century. It is a unique monument of Byzantine art at the time of the Iconoclasm, one of only three illuminated Byzantine Psalters to survive from the 9th century. More on the Chludov Psalter

Leo the Isaurian was succeeded by Constantine Copronymos (741-775), a still more fierce persecutor of the Orthodox pious, and still more zealous an iconoclast. The emperor convened an Iconoclast council, to which came 358 bishops from the Eastern provinces. However, except for the archbishop of Constantinople Constantine, – illegitimately raised up onto the patriarchal throne by the power of Copronymos, not one of the other patriarchs bothered to participate in the council, thus making it all the less able to usurp the term "oecumenical". 

Unknown artist

Argument about icons before the emperor, in the Skylitzis Chronicle, c. 13th century

This council of heretics, at the instigation of the emperor and the archbishop, described icons as idols, and proscribed anathema on all who venerate icons in the Orthodox manner, and it described icon veneration as heresy.

Unknown artist

Monastic Martyr and Confessor Stephen the New

I have no further description, at this time

Meanwhile, the monastery of Saint Stephen and its hegumen became known of in the capital. They told the emperor about the ascetic life of the monks, and the open encouragement of icon-veneration and therein the rebuff to the persecutors of Orthodoxy.

Sebastiano del Piombo, (1485–1547)

The slandered nun courageously denied guilt

Martyrdom of Saint Agatha, c. 1520

 Oil on panel

Height: 127 cm (50 in); Width: 178 cm (70 in)

Pitti Palace, Florence

Sebastiano del Piombo (c. 1485 – 21 June 1547), byname of Sebastiano Luciani, was an Italian painter of the High Renaissance and early Mannerist periods famous as the only major artist of the period to combine the coloring of the Venetian school in which he was trained with the monumental forms of the Roman school.

His nickname derived from the lucrative Papal appointment as Keeper of the Seal, which he held from 1531. Never a very disciplined or productive painter, his artistic productivity fell still further after this, which committed him to attend on the pope most days, and travel with him. He now painted mostly portraits, and relatively few works of his survive compared to his great contemporaries in Rome. This limited his involvement with the Mannerist style of his later years.

Having achieved success as a lutanist when young, he turned to painting and trained with Giovanni Bellini and Giorgione. When he first went to Rome he worked with Raphael and then became one of the few painters to get on well with Michelangelo, who tried to promote his career by encouraging to compete for commissions against Raphael. More on Sebastiano del Piombo

They tried to entice Saint Stephen into the Iconoclast camp, at first with flattery and bribery, then by threats, but in vain. Then they slandered the saint, accusing him of co-habiting with nuns. But his guilt was not proven, since the slandered nun courageously denied guilt and died under torture and beatings. Finally, the emperor gave orders to lock up the saint in prison, and to destroy his monastery. 

Unknown artist

Byzantine pillar-dweller
I have no further description, at this time

Then the emperor gave orders to exile the saint to one of the islands in the Sea of Marmora. The monk settled into a cave, and there also soon gathered his disciples. After a certain while the saint left the brethren and took upon himself the exploit of pillar-dweller. 

The emperor then gave orders to transfer Saint Stephen to prison on the island of Pharos, and then to bring him to trial. At the trial, the saint refuted the arguments of the heretics sitting in judgement upon him. 

The emperor gave orders to take away the saint to prison, where already there were languishing 342 elders, condemned for the veneration of icons. And In this prison Saint Stephen spent eleven months, consoling the imprisoned. 

The emperor, – having learned that in prison the saint had organised a monastery, sent two of his servants to beat the saint to death. When they went to the prison and beheld the face of the monk shining with a Divine light, they fell down on their knees to him, asking his forgiveness and prayers, but they told the emperor that his command had been carried out. 

Peter Paul Rubens, (1577–1640)

The Martyrdom of St Stephen, between 1616 and 1617

Oil on canvas

Height: 437 cm (14.3 ft); Width: 278 cm (109.4 in)

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Valenciennes, France

Sir Peter Paul Rubens (28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640) was a Flemish Baroque painter. A proponent of an extravagant Baroque style that emphasized movement, colour, and sensuality, Rubens is well known for his Counter-Reformation altarpieces, portraits, landscapes, and history paintings of mythological and allegorical subjects.

In addition to running a large studio in Antwerp that produced paintings popular with nobility and art collectors throughout Europe, Rubens was a classically educated humanist scholar and diplomat who was knighted by both Philip IV of Spain and Charles I of England.  More Sir Peter Paul Rubens

But the emperor learned the truth and he resorted to still another lie. Informing his soldiers, that the saint had intentions to topple him from the throne, he dispatched them to the prison. The holy confessor himself came out half the way to the furious soldiers, who seized hold of him and dragged him through the streets of the city. They then threw the lacerated body of the martyr into a pit, where they were wont to bury criminals.

On the following morning over Mount Auxentios there appeared a fiery cloud, and then an heavy darkness descended upon the capital with a fierce thunderstorm, which struck at much. More on Holy Monk Martyr and Confessor Stephen the New

Unknown artist

Vita scene from the Life of St Stephen of Sourozh, c. 17th-century

Russian icon

22.8 x 19.6 cm

Private collection

Please visit my other blogs: Art Collector, Mythology, Marine Art, Portrait of a Lady, The Orientalist, Art of the Nude and The Canals of Venice, Middle East Artists, and 365 Saints, also visit my Boards on Pinterest

Images are copyright of their respective owners, assignees or others. Some Images may be subject to copyright

I don't own any of these images - credit is always given when due unless it is unknown to me. if I post your images without your permission, please tell me.

I do not sell art, art prints, framed posters or reproductions. Ads are shown only to compensate the hosting expenses.

If you enjoyed this post, please share with friends and family.

Thank you for visiting my blog and also for liking its posts and pages.

Please note that the content of this post primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online.

10 works, Today, October 13th, is Edward the Confessor's day, his story illustrated #284

Unknown artist

Richard II of England with his patron saints; King Edmund the Martyr, King Edward the Confessor, St John the Baptist

Wilton diptych; left-hand panel, c. 1395

Tempera on oak panel

Height: 36.8 cm (14.4 in); Width: 26.7 cm (10.5 in)

The National Gallery, London

This small, portable altarpiece is one of a handful of English panel paintings to have survived from the Middle Ages. Made for Richard II, King of England from 1377 to 1399, in the last five years of his life, it combines religious and secular imagery to embody his personal conception of kingship.

Edward the Confessor was a man of great prayer - rather like a crowned monk. He was hailed throughout his life as a gentle, loyal and devoted king.

A confessor is a saint who suffers for his faith but is one step short of martyrdom. Edward suffered for his faith by resisting the temptations of the world. He lived off the income of his own lands and reached out to the poor.

Edward the Confessor was born in Islip, near Oxford, probably in 1005. He was the son of King Ethelred the Unready and his Norman queen, Emma.

Unknown artist

The family spent several years in exile in Normandy

Western Illuminated Manuscripts

A Catalogue of the Collection in Cambridge University Library

The family spent several years in exile in Normandy after the Danish invasion of 1013. Ethelred was briefly reinstated as king but after his death in 1016, the Danes once again seized the crown.

Unknown artist

King Cnut the great by the sea

I have no further description, at this time

England was ruled by Canute until his death in 1035 when Edward tried to capture the crown himself but failed.

Later, Edward vowed that he would make a pilgrimage to St Peter's in Rome if he managed to return safely to his kingdom.

Unknown artist

Coronation of Edward the Confessor

(13th century English illustrated manuscript)

I have no further description, at this time

In 1042, his dream became reality when he succeeded Canute's son on the throne. But Edward found it impossible to leave his subjects to make the pilgrimage to Rome.

The Pope released him from his vow on the condition he founded a monastery and dedicated it to St Peter. In accordance with the Pope's wishes, Edward built a new cathedral in Norman style to replace the Saxon church at Westminster. The cathedral became known as Westminster Abbey.

Unknown artist

King Edward challenges Earl Godwin

Illuminated manuscript

I have no further description, at this time

The National Archives, UK Government Web Archive

Before Edward returned to England from Normandy, his brother Alfred travelled to England and was captured. Earl Godwin took Alfred to Harold Harefoot who tortured him but Alfred died from his wounds. Edward never forgave Earl Godwin for this betrayal and years later, after his own ascension to the throne, during a banquet at Windsor accused Earl Godwin of his brother’s murder. The Earl denied the murder, claiming that if he were guilty the morsel of bread he was eating would be his last. Legend tells that the Earl then choked on his bread, and died. This scene shows Godwin of the far right of the frame, preparing to eat his bread. More on this work

Edward the Confessor was an enigmatic figure who was believed to have the power to heal. He began the royal custom of touching ill people to cure them. The tradition continued for nearly 700 years until the reign of Queen Anne.

Unknown artist

Edgitha, Wife of Edward the Confessor

I have no further description, at this time

Edgitha (Ealdgyth; Edith of Wessex; c. 1025 - 1075) was the wife of (Saint) Edward the Confessor (c. 1042-1066) and the sister of King Harold II, who died at Hastings in 1066. 

Edward also made a promise of chastity. He continued to remain celibate even after his marriage to the daughter of one of his closest advisors. He had no children and the throne passed to his brother-in-law, Harold, who was quickly overthrown by William the Conqueror.

Unknown artist

King Edward the Confessor and Harold Godwinson at Winchester, between circa 1051 and circa 1100

Bayeux tapestry

Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux, France

Edward's supporters insisted he was a deeply religious, patient and peaceful ruler who resisted war and revoked unjust taxes.

But his critics claimed the opposite. They maintained Edward was a weak and violent man and that his canonisation a century after his death was a political move.

Many legends sprang up about Edward the Confessor both during his lifetime and after his death. One that has stood the test of time happened towards the end of his life.

Unknown artist

King Edward gives a ring to St John the Evangelist in disguise

Illuminated manuscript

I have no further description, at this time

The National Archives, UK Government Web Archive

Legend has it that Edward was riding to a ceremony at a chapel dedicated to St John the Evangelist in Essex when a beggar asked for alms. Edward had no money with him so he took off his ring and handed it to the poor man instead.

A few years later two English pilgrims were travelling through the Holy Land and became stranded. They were helped by an old man who told them he was St John the Evangelist.

He was carrying the ring Edward had given to the beggar some years previously. He asked the pilgrims to return it to the king telling him that in six months he would meet St John in heaven.

Unknown artist

The body of Edward the Confessor is carried to Westminster Abbey, a detail from the Bayeux Tapestry, c. 1082

Bayeux tapestry

Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux, France

Unknown artist

St Edward the Martyr, King of England

Icon

I have no further description, at this time

Edward the Confessor died on January 5 1066. He was made a saint in 1161 and his body was translated to a shrine at Westminster Abbey in 1163.

In the centuries that followed many sick people came to kneel at the shrine and ask to be healed. Richard II prayed there too, asking for strength before the Peasants' Revolt in 1381.

Today Edward the Confessor is the only major English saint whose body is still in its shrine. More on Edward the Confessor

Please visit my other blogs: Art Collector, Mythology, Marine Art, Portrait of a Lady, The Orientalist, Art of the Nude and The Canals of Venice, Middle East Artists, and 365 Saints, also visit my Boards on Pinterest

Images are copyright of their respective owners, assignees or others. Some Images may be subject to copyright

I don't own any of these images - credit is always given when due unless it is unknown to me. if I post your images without your permission, please tell me.

I do not sell art, art prints, framed posters or reproductions. Ads are shown only to compensate the hosting expenses.

If you enjoyed this post, please share with friends and family.

Thank you for visiting my blog and also for liking its posts and pages.

Please note that the content of this post primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online.

05 Works, Today, March 20th, is Saint Cuthbert's Day, With Footnotes - #79

Holy Father James the Confessor, bishop, of the Studion

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Confessor refers to a saint who has witnessed to the faith and suffered for it; usually torture, but not to the point of death, and thus is distinguished from a martyr. More on Confessor

11th-century Byzantine miniature representing the Studion Monastery

The Monastery of Stoudios was a Greek Orthodox monastery in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The residents of the monastery were referred to as Stoudites. Although the monastery has been derelict for half a millennium, the laws and customs of the Stoudion were taken as models by the monks of Mount Athos and of many other monasteries of the Orthodox world; even today they have influence. 

The Stoudites gave the first proof of their devotion to the Orthodox Faith during the schism of Acacius; they also remained loyal during the storms of iconoclastic controversy, in the eighth and ninth centuries. They were driven from the monastery and the city by Emperor Constantine V after his death however, some of them returned. More on The Monastery of Stoudios

Chludov Psalter

A miniature of a chalcedon by Huldoff (9th century) with an iconography scene

Chludov Psalter is an illuminated marginal Psalter made in the middle of the 9th Century. It is a unique monument of Byzantine art at the time of the Iconoclasm, one of only three illuminated Byzantine Psalters to survive from the 9th century. More on Chludov Psalter

Miniature 48 from the Constantine Manasses Chronicle, 14 century

Destruction of a church under the orders of the iconoclast emperor Constantine V Copronymus.

Iconoclastic Controversy was a dispute over the use of religious images (icons) in the Byzantine Empire in the 8th and 9th centuries. The Iconoclasts, those who rejected images, objected to icon veneration for several reasons, including the Old Testament prohibition against images in the Ten Commandments and the possibility of idolatry. The defenders of the use of icons insisted on the symbolic nature of images and on the dignity of created matter. This opened a persecution of icon venerators that was severe in the reign of  Constantine V. More on the Iconoclastic Controversy

Saint James, Bishop and Confessor, was inclined toward the ascetic life from his early years. Saint James left the world and entered the Studite monastery, where he was tonsured. He led a strict life, full of works, fasting and prayer. Pious and well-versed in Holy Scripture, Saint James was elevated to the bishop’s throne of Catania (Sicily).

During the reign of the iconoclast emperor Constantine V Copronymos (741-775), As a bishop he was severely persecuted by the iconoclasts in the time of the Emperor Constantine Copronymus, enduring hunger, imprisonment and mocking, thus earning the title "Confessor." Saint Theodore wrote a homily in honor of him. He died of his grievous injuries there in the monastery. More on Saint James

Please visit my other blogs: Art Collector, Mythology, Marine Art, Portrait of a Lady, The Orientalist, Art of the Nude and The Canals of Venice, Middle East Artists, and visit my Boards on Pinterest

Images are copyright of their respective owners, assignees or others. Some Images may be subject to copyright

I don't own any of these images - credit is always given when due unless it is unknown to me. if I post your images without your permission, please tell me.

I do not sell art, art prints, framed posters or reproductions. Ads are shown only to compensate the hosting expenses.

If you enjoyed this post, please share with friends and family.

Thank you for visiting my blog and also for liking its posts and pages.

Please note that the content of this post primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online.