Frescoes, paintings on wet plaster, were another common form of decoration in Byzantine churches and monasteries. They depicted biblical narratives, saints, and scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. Frescoes were arranged in a hierarchical manner, with the most sacred figures depicted in the highest spaces, such as domes and apses. Illuminated manuscripts were richly decorated books, often religious texts like the Gospels and Psalters. These manuscripts featured intricate illustrations, decorative borders, and the use of gold and vivid colors, making them both sacred objects and artistic treasures. The Vienna Genesis and the Chludov Psalter are among the most famous examples.

1. Chora Church (Istanbul, Turkey)

   - The Anastasis (Resurrection) (14th century): This fresco is one of the most celebrated in Byzantine art, depicting Christ raising Adam and Eve from the dead, symbolizing the victory over death.

   - The Life of the Virgin: This series of frescos illustrates key moments in the life of the Virgin Mary, highlighting the human aspect of religious narratives.

2. Hosios Loukas Monastery (Greece)

   - Christ Pantocrator (Dome Fresco) (11th century): The image of Christ as the ruler of all, gazing down from the dome with commanding authority, is one of the most iconic depictions in Byzantine fresco art.

3. Monastery of St. John (Patmos, Greece)

   - The Vision of St. John (12th century): This series of frescos illustrates scenes from the Apocalypse as described in the Book of Revelation, showing vivid representations of prophetic visions.

4. Nerezi Church (Macedonia)

   - Lamentation of Christ (1164): This emotional and detailed fresco depicts the Virgin Mary, St. John, and other followers mourning the body of Christ after the Crucifixion. It is renowned for its emotional depth and fluidity of the figures.

5. Church of St. George (Kurbinovo, North Macedonia)

   - The Annunciation (12th century): This famous fresco shows the Archangel Gabriel announcing to the Virgin Mary that she will give birth to Christ, notable for its elegant and elongated figures in the Macedonian Byzantine style.

6. Studenica Monastery (Serbia)

   - The Crucifixion (1209): Located in the King’s Church, this fresco is a dramatic portrayal of the Crucifixion, showing Christ’s suffering with remarkable intensity and expressive use of color and form.

7. Dafni Monastery (Greece)

   - The Last Judgment (11th century): This large-scale fresco features a vivid and detailed portrayal of the Second Coming of Christ, with a depiction of the righteous ascending to heaven and the damned descending into hell.

1. Vienna Genesis (6th century)

   - One of the oldest surviving illustrated biblical manuscripts, this luxurious purple-dyed codex contains scenes from the Book of Genesis with rich silver ink and vivid miniatures, exemplifying early Byzantine art.

2. Codex Sinaiticus (4th century)

   - One of the oldest complete versions of the Christian Bible in Greek, discovered at St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai. It is a crucial text for biblical scholarship and one of the most important manuscripts in the world.

3. Paris Psalter (10th century)

   - An illuminated manuscript of the Book of Psalms, it contains full-page miniatures in the classical revival style of the Macedonian Renaissance, blending classical Greco-Roman artistic techniques with Byzantine spiritual themes.

4. The Rossano Gospels (6th century)

   - Another early Byzantine gospel book, written in silver ink on purple parchment. It is famous for its miniature depictions of the life of Christ, especially its detailed narrative scenes.

5. Menologion of Basil II (10th century)

   - Commissioned by Emperor Basil II, this richly illustrated manuscript contains the lives of saints celebrated in the Byzantine liturgical year. It is a prime example of the opulence of Byzantine imperial art and culture.

6. Chludov Psalter (9th century)

   - A unique and highly significant illuminated psalter from the period of Iconoclasm, it contains vivid and polemical illustrations reflecting the theological debates of the time, particularly about the veneration of icons.

7. Codex Argenteus (6th century)

   - Also known as the "Silver Bible," this Gothic translation of the Bible is written in silver and gold ink on purple vellum. While it is Gothic in language, it was produced in Constantinople and reflects Byzantine manuscript traditions.