Early Christian Symbolism in Phthiotidai Thebai

After the historical and philosophical definition of the concept of symbol, follows a presentation of the representative Patristic theories for symbols and symbolism. Next the most significant early Christian symbols found in Phthiotidai Thebai in Thessaly are interpreted. For their interpretation their signification from the Bible and the Patristic Texts was taken into consideration, as those were the closest sources to the era when these symbols were used. Symbols’ interpretation was based neither on their typological presentation, nor in terms of Art History, but the interest was focused on their theological and spiritual dimension, as it was formed and prevailed in the historical period of their appearance. Nevertheless, the fact that these symbols are not limited to what they represent, their created (ktiston) aspect, presupposes a form of anagoge not only to the intelligible, but also beyond it, to the unifying principle which gives the possibility for their verification.