The 6th century CE mosaics of the church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, are masterpieces of Byzantine art. In the chancel of this remarkable church, two imperial processions face each other. In one, the Emperor Justinian leads a cortege of courtiers and ecclesiasts in bringing a gift to a church, presumably a gift to San Vitale. Though Justinian never went there the mosaic serves as a record of his donation. Thus, while never present, he’s been there in mosaic for 1500 years. On the opposite wall, pictured here, the Empress Theodora leads a similar procession of women, dressed in impressive Byzantine finery. She, too, bears a gift for the church, the entrance to which is visible, beyond the parted veil, to the left. A phiale, a sacred water font, appears just inside. As if to remark on the precedent for giving gifts to god, the three magi are depicted in golden thread on the lower hem of her dress.