Objects of the Byzantine Era and Their Impact on Greek Orthodoxy

Objects of the past are perhaps the most reliable and most important sources of better understanding the history of the mankind. These objects of the past, or artifacts, are an essential and critical aspect of viewing the history of the culture of the world and its people and the influences they had on future civilizations and societies. By exploring the objects created from the past, people of today can better comprehend the various civilizations that paved the way to prominent and recognizable societies of today. Relics specific to their designated times and civilizations have had profound influence in many places and periods, and this can clearly be seen with the case of the Byzantine Empire.

The Byzantine Empire, founded by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in 330 AD would become a civilization lasting for more than a 1000 years, rich in knowledge, art, literature, and Christian theology. The objects of the Byzantine Era and others like it reflect the beliefs, the customs, and achievements of the Byzantine Empire and its people who but for the survival of their various objects and writings created in their time would be lost to history. However, the relics of the Byzantine Empire do not just reveal the history of the Byzantine Era, they also reveal its culture, a culture heavily immersed and influenced by Christianity. Even after the fall of the empire, the Byzantine culture would have great influence on Western tradition. Long after its demise, Byzantine civilization and culture rooted in Christian theology would have everlasting influence still on the Eastern Orthodox Countries.  

The objects shown in this exhibit reveal a civilization heavily influenced by Christian theology and more importantly, by understanding these relics and their impact on the Byzantine society, one can better understand the use of art, architecture and painting in one of the largest and prominent Christian groups on the Earth. The discovery of the relics of the Byzantine era have profound impact on the understanding of the history of its people and their culture, and in turn allow one to better see the origins of culture of eastern orthodox countries still present in this day and era.