Eigentliche und wahrhafftige Abbildung der alten und neuen Griechischen Kirche, Nach ihrer Historie, Glaubens-Lehren und Kirchen-Gebräuchen.
4to [21.5 x 17 cm], Three parts in one thick volume with an appendix and an index. Engraved portrait frontispiece, [22], including title printed in red and black, 236, 422, 474, 84, [56] p., with 16 additional engraved plates and one woodcut vignette. Bound in contemporary stiff vellum, covers a bit soiled, spine spotted. Some minor fingersoiling on title and light even toning throughout, but generally a fresh copy, with good impressions of the plates.
Scarce first and only edition of the first fully-fledged study of the Greek Orthodox Church, extensively illustrated, and an important addition to the nascent German tradition of studying the history of religious traditions without partisan intent. Heineccius was a Lutheran, and he pursues his object of study as an antiquarian and historian, not as a controversialist. The work deals with the foundation and early history of the church as well as contemporary religious practice, treating such topics as the calendar, architecture and ecclesiastical ranks and dress. Organized in three parts, the first covers early history; the second theology; and third contemporary practice. The numerous plates picture architectural ground-plans for churches, ecclesiastical accoutrements, costume, and a bird’s-eye view of the patriarch’s residence at Constantinople.
Johann Michael Heineccius (1674-1722) was a well-known jurist, historian, preacher, and theologian, originally Dutch but living in Halle. Best known for the present work, he also made one of the first systematic study of seals (De veteribus Germanorum aliarumque nationum sigillis, 1710).
* OCLC record.
Price: $2,850.00