All Are Alive with the Lord: In Memory of Alexei Lidov

Abstract

Alexei Lidov (1959–2025), a renowned Russian art historian, Byzantinist, and founder of the concept of hierotopy-the study of creating sacred spaces – passed away at the age of 66 after a long illness. He authored numerous works, including thirty monographs, and lectured widely at leading universities worldwide. His ideas, especially the notions of spatial icons and image-paradigms, became fundamental in art history and religious studies. Mariam Chkhartishvili recalls her decades-long professional and personal friendship with Lidov, his visits to Georgia, his influence on her own scholarship, and his deep appreciation for Georgian culture. His death is described as a great loss to scholarship and to all who knew him.