Sensing the Divine: Metaphysical, Material, and Sensual Properties of Middle Byzantine Wearable Icons

The aim of this thesis is to expand the definition of “icon” to encompass the Middle Byzantine (847-1204) wearable and manipulable devotional object as an active and divine agent that directly interacted with the body. By applying Aristotelian intromission theory, this thesis demonstrates how Middle Byzantine wearable icons united the divine and material realms by impressing upon and transforming the devotee’s soul through the senses of sight and touch. For Middle Byzantine Orthodox Christians, the wearable and manipulable icon served as an agent of transformation when it came into contact with the bodily senses of the devotee. The icon was far more than just an “image” to Middle Byzantine Christian audiences. Instead, the Middle Byzantine devotee’s body and soul had the potential to become transformed by physically interacting with and being impressed upon by the icon. For Middle Byzantine devotees, wearable and manipulable icons were powerful entities capable of transformative change that was perceived and shaped through their sensory experience. As a result, this thesis considers two bodies in dialogue. The first body is the icon, which was perceived to be living matter and the second body is the Middle Byzantine devotee who perceived and was transformed by the inspirited icon.