The year is 821. The Western Roman Empire is no more, leaving its place to multiple feudal kingdoms. The Eastern Roman Empire (later to be named Byzantium) still survives, although greatly reduced in size. It’s capital, Constantinople, is the richest, largest and most powerful city in Christendom. Home of emperor Nikiphore II, the queen of cities is riddled with riots and clashes between iconoclasts and iconophiles.
Not too far from the grandeur of the capital, at the shores of the Propontis [1], the beautiful monastery of the Life-Giving-Spring [2] overlooks the awe inspiring cliffs. Thunders rip the skies in two over the angry grey sea as the monks are gathered for their evening prayer. While the Hegumen [3] wonders what sins have angered God as much as to inflict such a wrathful storm, three rings are heard from the southern belltower. More visitors were approaching.
Had the old priest some premonition of the future, as he often claimed to, he would have never ordered those gates opened.
[1] Propontis: Today it’s also known as the Marmara Sea
[2] The Life-Giving-Spring (Ζωοδόχος πηγή) is an epithet of the Holy Mother of Jesus, that originated with her revelation of a sacred spring in Constantinople.
[3] Hegumen is the head of a monastery (The equivalent of an abbot)
Hosted and narrated by:
Antonis Vavagiannis (AntonisBalderduck)
Started 08/31/18.
Scenes played: 6
License: Community License
