chrysobull
(gold seal) Imperial document of the Byzantine state which was so named because it bore the gold seal of the emperor.

Deesis
Iconographic theme, an image of intercession for the salvation of the human race, which represents Jesus as the central figure, between the Virgin and St. John the Baptist

gynaikonites
Part of the church in the gallery, placed apart for women (gynaikes).

katholikon
The main church in a monastic complex, heart of the monastic activity.

mandorla (doxa)
(and mandrole) A round, elliptical or rhomboid bright aureole that encloses the whole figure of Christ, or more rarely the figure of the Virgin, in some represantations

strategos ("general")
During the Roman period his duties were mainly political. Οffice of the Byzantine state´s provincial administration. At first the title was given to the military and political administrator of the themes, namely of the big geographic and administrative unities of the Byzantine empire. Gradually the title lost its power and, already in the 11th century, strategoi were turned to simple commanders of military units, responsible for the defence of a region.

typikon
Foundation document of a monastery compiling the rules regarding its administrative organization and liturgic rituals, as well as the comportment inside a cenobitic monastery. The monastic typika could also include the biography (vita) of the monastery founder along with a catalogue of the movable or immovable property of the monastery. They constitute an important source for the study of the monastic life, while at the same time they shed light on many aspects of the Byzantine society. The liturgical typika were calendars with instructions for each day’s services, liturgical books with rules arranging the celebration rituals.