|
0 members (),
2,389
guests, and
120
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums26
Topics35,542
Posts417,792
Members6,208
| |
Most Online4,112
Mar 25th, 2025
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 320
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 320 |
Peace all, I have been wearing a beautiful two-headed eagle around my neck that i know to be the symbol of the Byzantine Empire and Churches. [ Linked Image] Now - from what i know is that the two heads symbolise the east and west churches, is this true? i know that the Melkite Churche's Eagle is a bit differend - he carry in one foot a staff (the left i think) and in the other he has a two headed dragon (!?!) (if im not mistaken ...) It would be nice if someone here can explain the symbols and maybe even show different flags of other churches. Thank you, Eli
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38 |
Dear Eli,
That is the flag of the Byzantine Empire and the two-headed Eagle represents the "synergy" between Church and State.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Russian Empire also adopted that emblem - it has been restored as Russia's national emblem today.
The Moscow Patriarchal residence has the two-headed eagles everywhere there.
Alex
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,010 Likes: 1
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,010 Likes: 1 |
Originally posted by Orthodox Catholic:
That is the flag of the Byzantine Empire and the two-headed Eagle represents the "synergy" between Church and State.
It was also a representation of the one empire that looked both East and West. For a nice ecclesiastical spin, we can also view the double headed eagle as a symbol of (or the symbol of the hope for) one church that looks both East and West.  The double-headed eagle is also used by other cultures around the world, and probably predates Byzantium. Dave
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,070
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,070 |
It is also used to adorn small rugs on which some bishops stand in the temple during hierarchical services, when they are not processing somewhere. Would be nice for a prayer corner rug, especially in cold weather, don't you think? 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 320
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 320 |
Originally posted by Chtec: For a nice ecclesiastical spin, we can also view the double headed eagle as a symbol of (or the symbol of the hope for) one church that looks both East and West. Amen eagle is also used by other cultures around the world, and probably predates Byzantium. the only trace of a "two headed eagle" i found on the net went back to byzantine. the roman and other nations used one headed "regular" eagle! Dave Anyone can tell me what are the symbolds the eagle holds in his feet? (i know that the staff in the Melkite Church - represent "royalty" or a high state of anarchy for the staff was used by kings)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,177
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,177 |
Originally posted by Jim:
It is also used to adorn small rugs on which some bishops stand in the temple during hierarchical services, when they are not processing somewhere. I've served at more than a few hierarchal services and have never seen a double-headed eagle on the орлець/orlets'. A picture of this rug plus information on it's usage and 'theological' meaning can be found here [ saintelias.com] . Σώσον, Κύριε, καί διαφύλαξον η�άς από τών Βασιλιάνικων τάξεων!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,461 Likes: 1
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,461 Likes: 1 |
Andrij, I also have never seen nor heard of anu double-headed eagle on the Orlets in hierarchal services. The visual on the Orlets is of an eagle (normal with one head) flying over the city which itself has great symbolism. The Orlets set I have which I use when a hierarch visits is from St. Petersburg, and believe me if anything double-headed would have been appropriate, it would have come from there.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,010 Likes: 1
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,010 Likes: 1 |
As Diak noted, the Russian-style orlets has a single-headed eagle on it. (I always wondered if it was because a bishop did not have dual authority of church and state, but only ecclesiastical authority.)
Greeks don't use these, at least not to the same extent as Russians. However, I have seen Greek-made rugs and runners for churches with double-headed eagles. These are not reserved for bishops, but are just to jazz up the floors around the altar, on the solea, etc. Similarly, a lot of Greek parishes with marble floors will have a double-headed "aetos" inlaid into the floor of the solea.
Dave
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 26,405 Likes: 38 |
Dear Friends,
There is an interesting article on "pravoslavie.ru" in Russian about the two-headed eagle.
It notes that in three years the Russian government will cancel the two-headed eagle from the caps of ALL its military - as well as the tricolour ribbon and will change them with other military ensignia . . .
It notes as well the history of the two-headed eagle in Russia as a symbol of the united authority of the Patriarch and the Tsar under God (symbolized by the Crown above both).
The eagles look east and west to signify Russia being in the middle of both - and also signifying Russia as being the future master of both (!).
The eagle, it says, represents imperial Roman authority and came to be known as the "Avis Romana" or the "Roman Bird."
That Russia will remove the two-headed eagle from the military - I would say that is NOT a good sign in terms of what is currently going on there and even an alarming sign.
Alex
|
|
|
|
|
