Liturgic emphasis, dramaturgy, identity of power and episcopal jurisdiction (XVIth-XVIIIth centuries)

A rare glimpse into the psychological and physiological responses of a high-ranking church official during a significant liturgical ceremony is provided by this study. Focusing on the unedited solemn ceremony of the imposition of the pallium—a distinctive band symbolizing episcopal power—on Archbishop Augustin of Jesus in 16th-century Portugal, the research reveals the profound impact of such rituals on the protagonist's identity and jurisdiction. The analysis draws from two biographical records and situates the event within the broader context of Portuguese Church hierarchies and political ceremonies during the Habsburg dynasty. By examining the unusual stop at the Convent of Christ in Tomar for this ceremony, the study sheds light on the interplay between liturgical dramaturgy, power dynamics, and episcopal authority.

Nestola, P. (2018). Liturgic emphasis, dramaturgy, identity of power and episcopal jurisdiction (XVIth-XVIIIth centuries). Revista de História Das Ideias, 36, 97–122. https://doi.org/10.14195/2183-1718_36_5