Reference address : https://ellopos.net/elpenor/vasilief/florence.asp?pg=4

ELPENOR - Home of the Greek Word

Three Millennia of Greek Literature
CONSTANTINOPLE  

Vasilief, A History of the Byzantine Empire

The fall of Byzantium

The Union of Florence

ELPENOR EDITIONS IN PRINT

The Original Greek New Testament
Page 4

In Italy there exist today a number of marks of the union of Florence. A very interesting contemporary copy of the decree of union, written in three languages, Latin, Greek, and Slavonic, is preserved and exhibited in one of the libraries of Florence, Biblioteca Laurenziana; besides the Greek and Latin signatures to this document, there is the Russian signature of the humble bishop Abramius of Suzdal, who was present at the council. The cathedral of Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, where the union was promulgated, still exists. In another church of Florence, Santa Maria Novella, one may see today the funeral monument of Patriarch Joseph, who died during the council, with his life-size picture in fresco. Finally, in the Palazzo Riccardi, also at Florence, there has been preserved a fresco by the fifteenth century Italian painter, Benozzo Gozzoli, representing the procession of the Magi, who go to Bethlehem to adore the newborn Christ; in the persons of the Magi the painter portrayed, though rather fantastically, John Palaeologus and Patriarch Joseph, whose entrance into Florence he might have personally observed. Rome also has some relics of the Union of Florence. Between the big bas-reliefs, fifteenth century work with the pictures of the Savior, the Holy Virgin, and St. Peter and St. Paul on the well-known entrance gates into the temple of St. Peter, are some small bas-reliefs relating to the Council of Florence; the Emperor's sailing from Constantinople, his arrival in Ferrara, a meeting of the Council of Florence, the Emperor's departure with his retinue from Venice. Finally, in one of the museums of Rome there is preserved a beautiful bronze life-size bust of John Palaeologus wearing a pointed hat. This bust, which is often reproduced, was perhaps made from life during the Emperor's stay at Florence.

Previous / First / Next Page of this section

A History of the Byzantine Empire - Table of Contents

Next Chapter : The question of the Council of St. Sophia

Previous Chapter : The conversion to Catholicism of Emperor John V

Constantinople

 

Medieval West * The Making of Europe
Three Millennia of Greek Literature

Learned Freeware

Reference address : https://ellopos.net/elpenor/vasilief/florence.asp?pg=4