Ο Άγιος Κλήμης Αχρίδος στην Ελληνική Παράδοση

Saint Clement of Ahrida in the Greek Tradition In this study, we focus on the two Lives of Saint Clement and continue with the Byzantine hymnological cycle in honor of Saint Clement. We then proceed to examine the post-Byzantine tradition of iconography of Saint Clement, also presenting Saints Cyril and Methodius, who were responsible for the cultural enlightenment of the Slavs. In Hagia Sophia, Saint Cyril is depicted as the founder of a cultural work, which was continued by Saint Clement, who is portrayed next to him. The third figure in the depiction of the hierarchs, which is now significantly damaged, is Saint Methodius. In our research, this composition is interpreted as a procession of teachers of Christianity and culture in the wider region, within the framework of the political perspective of the Archbishops of Ahrida, who sought to present themselves as their successors. Also, we describe Saint Clement of Ahrida in iconographic depictions of the Seven Saints. The first common composition of the two Enlighteners of the Slavs and their disciples appears in 1612 at the Church of the Virgin Mary in Slivnica, Prespa. Here, a hierarchical presentation of the saints is observed, depicted from left to right in the following order: Saint Angelarius as a monk, Saint Gorazd as a bishop, Saint Clement as a bishop, the two Thessalonian brothers (Cyril and Methodius) as bishops, and Saints Naum and Savas as monks. The same depiction, with new elements, is found in the eastern section of the northern apse of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Drača, near Kragujevac, Serbia. This painting, dated to 1735, is the work of painters from the region of Moscopole. The representation is closely connected to the heightened veneration of the Seven Saints during the tenure of Archbishop Joasaph of Ahrida (1718–1745). Finally, we focus on the publication of the liturgical service book (Akolouthia) of Saint Clement of Ahrida from Moscopolis in 1742.