Metal Sheets in Kdushkudshin, the Church of the Virgin Mary of Diyarbakir

Abstract

Diyarbakir, home of many ancient civilizations, with the acceptance of Christianity as the official religion by the Roman Empire, it became an important centre where many temples were built. It is stated that Syrians were among the first peoples to adopt Christianity here. The fact that the Church of the Virgin Mary, which is among the early temples in Diyarbakir and the Syriac's patriarchate centre in different periods, is historically important for Syriacs. The original liturgical elements in the church draw attention as an indicator of the deep-rooted religious and cultural ties of the Syriac community with the Virgin Mary Church. Among these liturgical elements, the example of the main kdushkudshin in the apse of the church stands out. Kdushkudshin, which means "Holy of the Holies" on Syriac, corresponds to the form of kiboriom in Christian architecture from a functional perspective. The plate samples, examined within the scope of the article study, are located on the altar table of the kdushkudshin. The subject of the plate samples in question; consists of three main depictions: Jesus' life, namely the nativity, his crucifixion, and the scene of lamentation for Jesus. The scenes listed in chronological order are handled in an arrangement that reflects the iconographic expression language of Christian art. Examples of these plates, found in kdushkudshin, present descriptions that coincide with the symbolic meaning of kdushkudshin and embody its holines. The composition of the plates has not yet been encountered among Syriac and Christian metal art examples. For this reason, authentic metal plates have been tried to be evaluated in terms of Syriac and Christian art by defining in terms of material, technique, stylistic and iconography.