In late antiquity, Christians dance both in saints’ festivals and in older pagan celebrations. The so called “hand on wrist” dance step often depicted in the illustrations of ancient dances in a ring, is repeated in the Byzantine and post Byzantine period. The people of the Byzantine Empire dance the syrmos, kordakos, pyrriche, geranos and ornos, not only in church but in a secular environment. The dances are accompanied by flutes, guitars, percussion and pipe organ. In the post Byzantine period a usual subject for illustration is the dance of the Thanksgivers (Ainon) which has a possible soteriological content. This dance charmingly expresses the joy of life in the Church and is an euphoric show put on by the faithful in Paradise.