Colouring the Soul through Baptism. Image, Writing and Liturgy in the Neonian Baptistery in Ravenna in the 5th century
Résumé
"In this we must imitate the example set by painters [...] Think of your soul as a picture to be painted. Before the lively colours of the divine spirit are imprinted on it, get rid of bad habits". John Chrysostom compares the catechumenate to the preparation of a sketch of the soul and baptism to the application of the colours of the Holy Spirit. In this article, I propose to reflect on these symbolic aspects of colour using the example of the mosaic decoration of the Orthodox baptistery in Ravenna (5th century). Placed in the axis of Jesus' baptism and at the heart of a multicoloured universe, the catechumen is preparing to be reborn and 'clothed' in divine light, thus embarking on the path to salvation. Inside the baptistery, the white-clad worshipper is immersed in a flood of colours in a setting that relays the administration of the sacrament and plays a full part in the purification of body and soul.