Our idea was for this seminar to be the first in a series focused on medieval architecture and its function. Function in the sense of the needs of the worship act and the presence of the faithful in the temple, of symbols and symbolism, of the spirituality of the space, elements that are expressed in various ways in architecture.

The aim of this series of seminars is to provide the opportunity to approach, from various angles, a core set of issues, such as the role of functions and uses in shaping religious architecture, the contribution and significance of symbolism in architectural thought - particularly in the medieval period that interests us - the involvement of political and religious will and more generally, the will of the employer in architectural design and the final outcome of the project, the role of the architect and the role of tradition in the creation of religious architecture and more specifically Byzantine architecture.

We also aim to discuss the role of prototypes, patrons, and a multitude of other issues related to this essential core. Thus, we hope to provide an opportunity to address the particular significance of the use of older churches that were remodeled and reused to continue their lives according to new imperatives, as well as the personality of the human factor, the patronage, and what architectural design truly represented in this context.