The mixed reception of Saint Symeon the New Theologian in ecclesiastical iconography

This article examines the place of Saint Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022) in Orthodox ecclesiastical iconography, questioning the reasons for a relatively discreet visual presence given the theological importance of this Byzantine mystic. The study adopts a historical and iconographic approach, combining hagiographic data with the analysis of figurative representations preserved in churches and manuscripts. The central idea is that the iconographic reception of Symeon remains mixed, reflecting the tensions and controversies that marked his late canonization and the reception of his thought within the ecclesiastical tradition. The contribution of the article lies in shedding light on the link between theological reception and artistic representation, showing how doctrinal or institutional resistance can durably condition the dissemination of a holy figure within the iconographic heritage of the Orthodox Church.