Report from the International Symposium of Byzantologists

NIŠ AND BYZANTIUM XXIII

“Byzantium and the Byzantine World 324 – 2024 from Byzantium to Constantinople and New Rome“

Dr Miša Rakocija

We have entered the third decade of the gathering of prominent Byzantologists in the famous Niš city, all thanks to the City of Niš, the University of Niš, the Eparchy of Niš and Niš Cultural Center. After 23 years, inspired by the words of academician Dejan Medaković, spoken at the opening of our first gathering back in 2002, we can conclude that we have fulfilled the goal set at that time - Niš and Byzantium Symposium has become respected international congress of Byzantologists. There is no researcher who does not use the knowledge collected in 23 volumes of Niš and Byzantium Proceedings for his work. The International Congress of Byzantologists Niš and Byzantium is another cultural asset that should be included in the rich cultural treasury of Niš city.

Dr. Miša Rakocija, introductory speech, opening of the Symposium Niš and Byzantium XXIII

Emperor Constantine the Great was born in Niš, that is why Niš has the right and obligation to remind the scientific and general world public of significant dates related to Constantine the Great, the later Holy Emperor Constantine. This year, we remind you that 1700 years have passed since Constantine the Great began the construction of a new capital on the site of the old and small Greek city of Byzantium: BYZANTIUM AND BYZANTINE WORLD/324-2024 - FROM BYZANTION TO CONSTANTINOPLE AND THE NEW ROME.

Blessing of Archbishop of Niš Mr. Arsenije

In November 324, Constantine officially began the construction of the new capital. It happened immediately after the victory over Lucinius, which brought the east under Constantine's rule, as well as Naissus, which had been held by Licinius until that moment. In just six years, beautiful buildings were built and the old Byzantium was ready for the inauguration of new Roman capital, Constantinople - the New Rome, on May 11, 330.

Vice-rector Prof. Dr. Jovan Stepanović, welcoming speech on the behalf of the University of Niš

It seems that there is not any better strategic and trading destination in the world than the area where the old Byzantium was, which was chosen by the visionary Constantine the Great. The founding of Constantinople - the New Rome is of great importance for world history and European civilization, which from that moment took a new direction.

Prof. Dr. Zoran Rakić (Belgrade), opening of the scientific meeting

Cities and their inhabitants are responsible for the civilizational, artistic or cultural development of any nation or state. The Byzantines did not forget Aristotle's words that citizens should be not only safe, but also happy in the cities. The safe ramparts of the cities united the spiritual and intellectual elite as carriers of the development and progress of society. The moment the cities disappear all progress is stopped. Constantine the Great knew this well. That is why Constantine the Great, who was born and brought up in Naissus „decorated this city – his hometown magnificently later“, as it was noted by the emperor's anonymous biographer. Later, Priscus passed through Naissus in 448 and recorded: "They say that the founder of Naissus was Constantine, who also built a city on the site of Byzantium, naming it after himself." The role of Constantine in the construction of Naissus is overemphasized by Stephen the Byzantine who claimed that Constantine created the city and built it from the ground up.

Prof. Dr. Irena Ljubomirović (Niš), promotion of Proceedings Niš and Byzantium XXII

In the cities, high city laws and noble civil manners ruled, which, from the ancient Greeks and Romans through the Byzantines, remained still part of our knowledge and behaviour today. In the urban matrix of the provincial cities of the Byzantine Commonwealth Constantinople can always be recognized. This also applies to ancient Naissus, early Byzantine Naissus, middle Byzantine Naissus and Serbian medieval Niš.

Certificate of appreciation for selfless efforts in organization and for scientific
contribution by participation in Niš and Byzantium Symposium

This is the right place to start thinking again about the rarely mentioned dilemma of Constantine as he pondered where to move his capital from morally poisoned Rome. With full respect for Christianity shown by the acceptance of the Edict of Milan on religious tolerance, he had to choose, for his capital, among the distinguished cities that were already known as centres of Christianity. In addition to Byzantium, Jerusalem, Nicomedia, Serdica, Thessaloniki and Troy, Constantine thought of moving the capital to his hometown Naissus. However, he decided on Byzantion. This is how the capital of the Christian Roman Empire was created. New Rome became political, educational, spiritual, military and economic center for the next thousand years.

Awarding a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the city to academician Miodrag Marković,
vice president of Serbian Academy of Science and Art

The significance of Niš for Byzantine Empire and the Serbian medieval state is insufficiently understood. We know little about what Byzantine and Serbian medieval Niš looked like, while its Byzantine name Nisos is never mentioned. It has always been the crossroads, a military stronghold, and a meeting place for emperors, an episcopal seat and a cultural center. That is why, like Constantine the Great, Stefan Nemanja thought of moving his capital to the "glorious Niš city".

Awarding a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the city to academician Dragan Vojvodić

According to established custom, the ceremonial opening of the symposium in the large hall of the University of Niš began with the opening words of Dr. Miša Rakocija, who invited His Eminence the Archbishop of Niš Mr. Arsenije to bless the work of the Niš Scientific Conference of Byzantologists. The Deputy Mayor Ms. Dušica Davidović greeted the participants on the behalf of the City of Niš, while the vice-rector Prof. Dr. Jovan Stepanović welcomed the participants on the behalf of the University of Niš. The scientific meeting was opened by Prof. Dr. Zoran Rakić from the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade. The Proceedings Niš and Byzantium XXII were presented by prof. Dr. Irena Ljubomirović from the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš.

Awarding a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the city to Dr. Ioannis Sisiu (Kastoria, Greece)

This was followed by the ceremony of awarding the certificates of appreciation for selfless efforts in organization and scientific contribution by participating in Niš and Byzantium Symposium, which was being awarded for the first time this year. On behalf of the organizers (City of Niš, Eparchy of Niš, University of Niš) the Deputy Mayor Mrs. Dušica Davidović presented certificates of appreciation to respected colleagues: the vice-president of Serbian Academy of Science and Arts academician Prof. Dr. Miodrag Marković, academician Prof. Dr. Dragan Vojvodić, Dr. Ivica Čairović (Belgrade), Dr. Ariadna Voronova (Moscow), Dr. Ioannis Sisiu (Kastoria) and Dr. Svetla Petrova (Sofia).

Academician Miodrag Marković, vice-president of Serbian Academy of Science and Art,
promotion of the monograph Kastoria Painting School of the XIV Century, Author Dr. Ioannis Sisiu

A special pleasure and joy of discovering something new was the promotion of the representative monograph Kastoria Painting School of the XIV Century prepared by our colleague from Kastoria (Greece) Dr. Ioannis Sisiu The vice president of Serbian Academy of Science and Arts academician Prof. Dr. Miodrag Marković and academician Prof. Dr. Dragan Vojvodić spoke about the book revealing to us the secrets of the sublime beauty of Byzantine frescoes, discovered by Dr. Ioannis Sisiu through exhaustive research.

Academician Dragan Vojvodić, promotion of the monograph
Kastoria Painting School of the XIV Century, Author Dr. Ioannis Sisiuу

The scientific public was very interested in Niš symposium. 49 participants from 10 countries registered: participants from Turkey, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Russia, Italy, Bulgaria, USA, North Macedonia and Serbia. Due to the limited time 40 participants presented their papers while 9 participants were asked to apply next year. The usual joint dinner was a place of inspired professional discussion, exchange of opinions, socializing and rapprochement.

Participants of the Symposium at the reception at Niš City Hall

At the end, the participants of the symposium were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor Mrs. Dušica Davidović at Niš City Hall. Their impressions of the symposium were presented by Prof. Dr. Irina Oretskaya (Moscow) and Prof. Dr. Miguel Gales (Barcelona, Spain) pointing out the exceptional importance and scientific representativeness of the Niš Symposium of Byzantologists. After the ceremonial reception the guests went on a tour of the Niš Fortress and its historical layers, and then toured the Cathedral complex.

Exploring Niš Fortress and Its Historical Layers