Christ in the Underworld: a Theological-Iconographic Reflection on the Descent into the Realm of the Dead

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Autori/ Authors: Janka Miháliková

In: Disputationes Scientificae Universitatis Catholicae in Ružomberok

ISSN: 1335-9185

Ročník/ Volume: XXVI.

Číslo/ Issue: 1

Strany/ Page Range: 144-157

Rok vydania/ Publication Year: 2026

Jazyk/ Language: Slovak

Vydavateľ/ Publisher: VERBUM – vydavateľstvo Katolíckej univerzity v Ružomberku

Abstrakt/ Abstract: The theme of Christ in the underworld represents an important aspect of Christian theology and iconography. Theologically, it is based on the teaching of Christ's redemption not only of the living, but also of the righteous who died and were waiting for salvation. It represents victory over death, the devil, and hell. This motif is based on the canonical books of Holy Scripture and the Apocrypha and is part of the Apostles' Creed. Christian iconography depicts this moment in a dynamic pose of Christ liberating God's servants, particularly from the times of the Old Testament. The article examines the biblical and extra-canonical basis of the depiction of Christ in the underworld, the interpretations of this theme by significant authors in history, and the identification of the place of Jesus' descent. Finally, theological messages for contemporary man in connection with the visual depiction of Christ in the underworld are highlighted.

Kľúčové slová/ Keywords: Christ. Underworld. Theology. Iconography. Medieval wall painting.

Citácia/ How to cite:

MIHÁLIKOVÁ, Janka, 2026. Kristus v predpeklí: teologicko-ikonografická reflexia zostúpenia do ríše mŕtvych. Disputationes Scientificae Universitatis Catholicae in Ružomberok. Online. Roč. XXVI., č. 1, s. 144-157. ISSN 1335-9185. Dostupné na:

Toto dielo je publikované pod/ This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.