Eucharist Cycle 1113

The Eucharist Cycle was produced with mosaics by Byzantine artists within Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. The scene depicts the Eucharist, a Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper. This image creates meaning through visual codes such as halos that signify holiness. The use of mosaics in the Byzantine Empire, particularly from the 4th to 15th centuries, was deeply intertwined with the socio-political and religious structures of the time. The Byzantine Empire, with its capital in Constantinople, present-day Istanbul, was a center of Christianity and culture, and the church played a dominant role in society. The construction of monumental churches like Saint Sophia, adorned with mosaics, was sponsored by emperors and wealthy patrons to assert their power and demonstrate religious devotion. The Eucharist cycle also reflects the complex relationship between the church, state, and artistic production in Byzantine society. Further research into Byzantine art, religious history, and the patronage system provides invaluable insight into the rich social and institutional context of this work.