An Encounter with the Sublime: The Iconographic Program of Saint Sophia Cathedral

An offering by the Koines Family
To the Clergy, Congregation, and Guests of
Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral

February 1999

Table of Contents | List of Icons
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As the Prophets beheld, —as the Apostles have taught, —as the Church has received; —as the Teachers have dogmatized; —as the Universe has agreed; —as Grace has shown forth, —as Truth has revealed; —as Falsehood has been dissolved; —as Wisdom has presented; as Christ has awarded!

thus we declare! —thus we assert —thus we preach Christ our true God: In words, In writings, In thoughts, In sacrifices, In churches, In holy Icons, —thus we honor His Saints: worshipping and reverencing Christ as God and Lord —and honoring His Saints as true servants of the same Lord of all —and accordingly offering them veneration-

This is the Faith of the Apostles, —this is the Faith of the Fathers, —this is the Faith of the Orthodox, —this is the Faith which has established the Ecoumene.

Affirmation of Orthodox Faith
Synod of Constantinople
March 11, 843

Table of Contents

1. Prologue
2. The Program
   • The Exterior
   • The Narthex
   • The Nave
   • The Dome
   • The Apse
   • The Sanctuary
   • Between Heaven and Earth
   • Conclusion
3. Bibliography
4. About the Iconographic Program
5. List of Icons

Reproduced from the publication dated February 1999. Originally prepared by Arthur T. Koines in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the course entitled "Ideas and Events Behind the Arts" offered at Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the 1974 Fall term. Submitted December 5, 1974, under the title "An Encounter with the Sublime: The Mosaic Program of Saint Sophia Cathedral." Updated and retitled February 1999 by P. Thomas Koines. Layout by Matina Koines Sawicki.