Iconology of byzantine church architecture in the aspect of understanding the 12th century Constantinople spirituality

Turning to the church architecture of Byzantium, the author seeks to substantiate iconology: a research approach that reveals the semantic content and role in culture of the architectural and church form as the embodiment of the life-giving prayerful and liturgical practice of communion with God. The article provides a historiographical review of the conceptual works of Russian and foreign researchers. The most important features of the new stylistic direction in the 12th century church architecture of Constantinople are characterized. Kilise Jami (Theodore’s Church) is presented as a benchmark expression of the refined spirituality of the capital’s intellectuals, the “highest architectural wisdom” of the Komnenos era.