After the emperor had been publicly proclaimed and invested with authority, the highest dignitaries of the State advanced toward him. They approached one by one, carefully observing the strict order of rank that governed Byzantine court life. Each official offered homage to the new monarch, acknowledging his supreme authority and pledging loyalty.
As this formal procession unfolded, the surrounding crowds filled the air with loud acclamations. Every phrase that loyalty, admiration, or flattery could suggest was shouted with enthusiasm. These cries were not merely expressions of joy; they were a public declaration that the people accepted and supported their new ruler The Hebdomon as an Imperial Retreat.
When the homage was complete, the scene of public greeting came to an end, and the ceremony moved to its next stage.
The Emperor’s Address to the Army
The emperor now addressed the soldiers, though not directly. A herald spoke on his behalf, proclaiming the monarch’s message in a clear and powerful voice so that all could hear. In this address, the emperor declared that he ruled by the will of God and by the choice of the army. This statement emphasized the two foundations of Byzantine imperial authority: divine approval and military support.
He promised to govern with devotion to the welfare of the Empire and to protect both its people and its laws. To strengthen the bond between ruler and soldiers, he also announced a generous monetary gift, known as a donative, to each of his loyal companions in arms.
These promises were greeted with bursts of applause and cheers, showing the army’s satisfaction and renewed loyalty. Immediately afterward, the emperor handed over the required sum of money to the officers responsible for distributing the gift among the troops Bulgaria Private Tours.
The Ceremony Takes a Religious Turn
With the completion of the political and military rites, the ceremonies now assumed a religious character. The emperor descended from the tribune and walked on foot to a nearby camp-chapel. This chapel was a richly colored tent, set at a short distance from the main platform.
Before entering, the emperor removed his crown, leaving it outside as a sign of humility. He then entered the chapel to bow before God, whom he acknowledged as the supreme ruler above all earthly kings. The service inside was simple and was conducted by ordinary priests, since the patriarch and senior clergy had already departed for the Great Church of St. Sophia.
After the prayer, the emperor emerged, resumed his crown, and prepared for the next solemn act.
The Consecration of the Crown
Mounted upon a white horse, the emperor proceeded in a magnificent procession to the Church of St. John the Baptist, the chief sanctuary of the Hebdomon. He was followed by a splendid escort of high officials and dignitaries, all riding on horseback.
This second religious service is best described as the Consecration of the Crown. During the ceremony, the crown was again removed from the emperor’s head. Unlike before, it was not set aside in the vestry. Instead, a court official carried it to the altar, where the emperor himself placed it upon the sacred table.
The crown remained there throughout the service, symbolizing that imperial power was placed under God’s protection. At the conclusion, the emperor took the crown back from the official, presented a rich gift to the church, and then returned to the vestry to put on his diadem once more.
The Journey to the Capital
This act marked the end of the coronation ceremonies at the Hebdomon. The scene now shifted toward the city itself. The Imperial procession moved forward, growing more splendid with every step. Passing through the Golden Gate, the Hebdomon suburbs, the Forum of Constantine, and other great landmarks, the cortege advanced toward its final destination.
At last, it entered St. Sophia, where the supreme act awaited: the formal coronation of the emperor by the patriarch in the Great Cathedral of Constantinople, before God and the entire Empire.
