Category Archives: Byzantium

Prophet Daniel and Christmas

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Prophet Daniel in Lion’s Den (10th century mosaic) shows the lions tame at Daniel’s feet, as sheep devoted to their shepherd.

The Prophet Daniel is best known for his imprisonment in the lions’ den. A young Jewish man living in exile, he is raised to high office by his royal master Darius the Mede. Daniel’s jealous rivals trick Darius into issuing a decree that for thirty days no prayers should be addressed to any god or man but Darius himself; any who break this are to be thrown to the lions. Daniel continues to pray to the God of Israel, and the king, although deeply distressed, must condemn Daniel to death, for the edicts of the Medes and Persians cannot be altered. Hoping for Daniel’s deliverance but unable to disobey his own law, Darius has Daniel cast into the pit. At daybreak the king hurries to the place and cries out anxiously, asking if God had saved his friend. Daniel replies that his God had sent an angel to close the jaws of the lions; Christian liturgical hymnography describes the prophet as having become a shepherd to the lions who behaved like sheep. The king commands that those who had conspired against Daniel should be thrown to the lions in his place, along with their wives and children, and writes to all the people of the whole world commanding that all should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

In the oldest version of the book of the prophet Daniel, there is the additional detail that the prophet Habbakuk–many miles away, carrying food in a basket–was picked up by his hair by an angel and brought to the lions’ den to share his food with Daniel. (Habbakuk is often identified as having bright orange or red hair.)

Daniel is also associated with Christmas because of his prophecy regarding the stone which smashed the idol (Daniel 2:34–35) which is taken as a metaphor for the Incarnation: the “stone cut out” being symbolic of the Logos (Christ), and the fact that it was cut “without hands” being symbolic of the virgin birth. Byzantine Christian hymns and poetry refer to the Mother of God (the Virgin Mary) as the “uncut mountain.”

A contemporary icon showing the prophet Daniel in the lions’ den; Habbakuk is shown above, bringing a meal to share with Daniel.

Hot Off the Press!

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The book was a #1 New Release in one category and a Top 10 in another on Amazon.

My newest book, The Early Eastern Orthodox Church: A History, AD 60-1553, has just been released by McFarland. It was #1 and #4 in two different categories on Amazon. Order yours now–Kindle version or paperback!

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Although the book focuses on Church life in the Eastern Mediterranean region, much of the book is about the common heritage of both east and west (formation of the New Testament, development of church order and hierarchy, as well as the role of the ecumenical councils, etc). Many issues—the interaction of science and faith, divinity and humanity, Church and State—continue to be pertinent today.

Add your review to the book’s Amazon page as well.

There will be a Book Launch on Monday, November 12 at St. John’s-in-the-Village Church (West 11 Street @7 Avenue) with Evensong at 6:15 p.m. and Book Reading and Signing at 6:45 p.m. Discussion with Q & A will follow. Drinks will be served. Come celebrate even if you already have your copy. Books will be available for purchase—at a special discount!

Medieval Ivory in the Victoria & Albert Museum

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There is a stunning collection of medieval ivories in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Medieval ivories were extremely valuable and high status items; the ivory itself generally came from elephants in India or North Africa although walrus tusks could be obtained by trading with the Vikings. I was privileged to see the collection during our recent trip to London. Here are four of the pieces I was privileged to see.

This ivory depicts the women coming to the Tomb of Christ early on the morning of Sunday. They discover that the stone is rolled away from the tomb’s entrance, revealing that the tomb itself is empty. The empty burial cloths of Jesus are shown, as is the angel who tells them, “He is not here–he is risen! Go and tell his disciples!” The sleeping guards are also seen here, oblivious to what is happening. The tomb itself looks like the tomb within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. This ivory was probably carved at the Benedictine abbey of St Gallen, an important center of manuscript and ivory production and was probably carved AD 900-950. (photo by S. Morris)

This ivory shows Christ enthroned in glory as Judge of the living and the dead at the Last Day. The dead of all generations are rising from their graves as angels blow trumpets above, calling them to judgement. The damned are shown being consumed by the monster that is Hell (lower right) as Christ welcomes the righteous into the heavenly Jerusalem (lower left). The Hell monster is shown outside the city walls of the heavenly Jerusalem, just as the valley used as a burning trash heap that gave birth to the stories of Hell is outside the walls of the earthly Jerusalem. (photo by S. Morris)

The top scene depicts the arrival of the Magi bringing gifts–gold, frankincense, and myrrh–to the Mother of God and the Christ Child as St. Joseph stands behind them. The bottom scene depicts the Mother of God presenting Jesus in the Temple when he was 40 days old (celebrated on February 2). Simeon the elder, prepared to wrap Jesus with a cloth, promises Mary that “a sword will pierce [her] heart also.”

An angel blesses a person as they sleep, probably giving them a dream-message from God or protecting them from nightmares. The building in the background might be the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem which might indicate that the person is sleeping in the church in hopes of being healed of an illness and the angel is there to heal them.