On the conceptual and thematic foundations of the fresco paintings in the diaconicon of the Church of Virgin Peribleptos in Ohrid

Abstract

The author presents the view that the themes referring to St. John the Precursor and the Virgin in the diaconicon of the Church of the Virgin Peribleptos in Ohrid were painted as the visual expression of the dogmatic belief in the Incarnation of the Saviour. He interprets the scenes of the Three Youths in the Fiery Furnace and of the Visitation that also appear in the diaconicon, in the same way. The recently identified figure of the prophet Elijah, painted on the western side of the diaconicon, is also published in this article.