Holy Trinity Church Byzantine and Romanesque Architecture
The Byzantine form that the Holy Trinity Church embodies began in the
Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire was once a part of the vast Roman Empire and the
area that the Byzantine Empire inhabited was also known as the Eastern Roman Empire. When
the Roman Empire collapsed, the Byzantine Empire was able to remain intact due to its
tight network of cities. This civic network not only allowed the Eastern Empire to stay
intact, but it also contributed to the empires prosperity.
In addition to the civic network, the Eastern Empires conversion to Christianity
was also a contributing factor to the prosperity of its culture. The Sixth Century
Byzantine Emperor, Justinian, recognized the importance of Christianity in the Byzantine
lifestyle and initiated a push for the betterment of Byzantine art. As Byzantine historian
Thomas Mathews states in his book, The Early Churches of Constantinople, "new
structural types, new decorative motifs, new styles in the figurative arts, all suddenly
reach maturity in the early sixth century."(p 42) All throughout his empire,
Justinian began the monumental task of rebuilding and building Christian Churches. In 537
AD, the traditional Byzantine form was born following the completion of the Church of
Hagia Sophia.
The Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) was built in Constantinople, the capital of the
Byzantine Empire, and demonstrated the classic Byzantium dome. This dome sprouts upwards
from a square joined by four arches. A pillar then supports each of these arches in order
to provide an open area and unimpeded view of the altar. This significant Byzantine
characteristic and method became the basis of Father Considines plan of the Holy
Trinity Church during his reign as pastor.
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Marble Doors of South Gallery, detail |
Marble Doors of South Gallery, detai |
Underside of window mullion in South Gallery |
Byzantine-Romanesque
There are indeed some anti-Byzantine features of the church. In addition to the use of
"I.N.R.I" in the main crucifix, the interior of the church contains a
series of stained glass windows. Some may also argue that the churchs façade is a
Romanesque revival. Taking in consideration, the churchs urban and fiscal
constraints, there is little doubt that this Romanesque contention is wrong. The
churchs architect could not replicate the monumental size of the Hagia Sophia for he
had not the space, nor the budget to erect such a project. As a result, the façade may
have been inspired by the great stone buildings of the Romanesque past. However, the
façade does also incorporate Byzantine themes, such as the small domes at both sides of
the frontal towers and the restrained0 use of ornamentation. Therefore, the Holy Trinity
is not strictly a Byzantine structure, but rather, is a modern adaptation of the
Byzantine-Romanesque styles. Thus, the two statues of St. John and St. Peter also
symbolize the union between the two art forms of the medieval east and the medieval west.
WWW Link: Byzantine
Architecture [At Catholic Encylopedia]
WWW Link: Byzantine
Studies Page
Medieval
NewYork | Holy Trinity Main | Byzantine Architecture |
Exterior | Interior
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© Site Concept and Design: Paul Halsall created 26 Jan 1996: latest revision 12 April 2024 [CV]
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