Three Babylonian Youths in the Paintings of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv

The frescoes of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv depict the Old Testament story of 'Three Babylonian Youths in the Fiery Furnace' four times, revealing its symbolic significance in early Rusian religious art and its connection to the cathedral's baptismal traditions. These depictions, primarily from the 11th century with one from the 17th century, highlight the youths' role as righteous figures and emphasize the miracle's enduring influence on Orthodox piety and artistic heritage. The study analyzes their characterization, attribution, and narrative function within the cathedral's monumental painting system, underscoring the story's thematic relevance to the Resurrection of Christ during the cathedral's creation period.

Bozhko, S. (2020). Three Babylonian Youths in the Paintings of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. NaUKMA Research Papers. History and Theory of Culture, 3(0), 29–35. https://doi.org/10.18523/2617-8907.2020.3.29-35