Tumgik
#traditional catholic sculpture
stjohncapistrano67 · 1 year
Text
Tumblr media
A Traditional Catholic sculpture of St. Michael the Archangel casting Satan out of Heaven.
185 notes · View notes
pepperwaldo · 4 months
Text
Tumblr media
Calcagno family burial monument, 1904, Adolfo Apolloni
13 notes · View notes
hamletthedane · 3 months
Text
I was meeting a client at a famous museum’s lounge for lunch (fancy, I know) and had an hour to kill afterwards so I joined the first random docent tour I could find. The woman who took us around was a great-grandmother from the Bronx “back when that was nothing to brag about” and she was doing a talk on alternative mediums within art.
What I thought that meant: telling us about unique sculpture materials and paint mixtures.
What that actually meant: an 84yo woman gingerly holding a beautifully beaded and embroidered dress (apparently from Ukraine and at least 200 years old) and, with tears in her eyes, showing how each individual thread was spun by hand and weaved into place on a cottage floor loom, with bright blue silk embroidery thread and hand-blown beads intricately piercing the work of other labor for days upon days, as the labor of a dozen talented people came together to make something so beautiful for a village girl’s wedding day.
What it also meant: in 1948, a young girl lived in a cramped tenement-like third floor apartment in Manhattan, with a father who had just joined them after not having been allowed to escape through Poland with his pregnant wife nine years earlier. She sits in her father’s lap and watches with wide, quiet eyes as her mother’s deft hands fly across fabric with bright blue silk thread (echoing hands from over a century years earlier). Thread that her mother had salvaged from white embroidery scraps at the tailor’s shop where she worked and spent the last few days carefully dying in the kitchen sink and drying on the roof.
The dress is in the traditional Hungarian fashion and is folded across her mother’s lap: her mother doesn’t had a pattern, but she doesn’t need one to make her daughter’s dress for the fifth grade dance. The dress would end up differing significantly from the pure white, petticoated first communion dresses worn by her daughter’s majority-Catholic classmates, but the young girl would love it all the more for its uniqueness and bright blue thread.
And now, that same young girl (and maybe also the villager from 19th century Ukraine) stands in front of us, trying not to clutch the old fabric too hard as her voice shakes with the emotion of all the love and humanity that is poured into the labor of art. The village girl and the girl in the Bronx were very different people: different centuries, different religions, different ages, and different continents. But the love in the stitches and beads on their dresses was the same. And she tells us that when we look at the labor of art, we don’t just see the work to create that piece - we see the labor of our own creations and the creations of others for us, and the value in something so seemingly frivolous.
But, maybe more importantly, she says that we only admire this piece in a museum because it happened to survive the love of the wearer and those who owned it afterwards, but there have been quite literally billions of small, quiet works of art in billions of small, quiet homes all over the world, for millennia. That your grandmother’s quilt is used as a picnic blanket just as Van Gogh’s works hung in his poor friends’ hallways. That your father’s hand-painted model plane sets are displayed in your parents’ livingroom as Grecian vases are displayed in museums. That your older sister’s engineering drawings in a steady, fine-lined hand are akin to Da Vinci’s scribbles of flying machines.
I don’t think there’s any dramatic conclusions to be drawn from these thoughts - they’ve been echoed by thousands of other people across the centuries. However, if you ever feel bad for spending all of your time sewing, knitting, drawing, building lego sets, or whatever else - especially if you feel like you have to somehow monetize or show off your work online to justify your labor - please know that there’s an 84yo museum docent in the Bronx who would cry simply at the thought of you spending so much effort to quietly create something that’s beautiful to you.
25K notes · View notes
writergeekrhw · 1 year
Note
There's been a lot of talk over the years about whether Ferengi are a antisemitic stereotyoe. Given that DS9 had more Jewish actors and creative staff, what do you think of that discourse?
Was this something that was kept in mind when reinventing the Ferengi from how they were in TNG?
I can tell you the INTENTION of the Ferengi was to satirize capitalism and the West. Ferengi derives from the Persian "Farangi," i.e. Franks, people from France. More broadly, it came to mean "Western European." Hence "Farangistan" = Europe. Farang/i spread to other languages, notably Thai where it now means "foreigner."
Farang - Wikipedia
So, the Ferengi are intended to be us. Westerners, even more specifically Americans. The original TNG bible compares them to 18th and 19th century Yankee traders. Sexist and greedy, patriarchal and dishonest.
I'm pretty sure this was the intention of their look too, especially the noses. Big noses are common in Asian caricatures of Westerners. Check out the Thai sculpture in the link above. According to my father, for example, the Rhade tribe from the Vietnamese Highlands called Americans "big noses" and when he was their military advisor, he was Captain Big Nose.
And then TNG cast a ton of Jewish actors as early Ferengi, and a lot of people saw them completely differently. (Aside, I've heard from some Asian fans that they perceive Ferengi as caricatures of the Cantonese, which speaks to how different cultures see them.)
We were definitely aware of this issue when DS9 came along, and I largely followed the lead of our Jewish-American showrunners on how to handle it. Generally, by digging deep into three different main Ferengi characters and several recurring, I hope we transcended the stereotypes.
We showed Ferengi not as whip-wielding pirate/raiders (not a Jewish trope btw, see Yankee traders), but as a small business owner, a handyman/engineer, and an aspiring Starfleet officer, all struggling with issues of cultural assimilation and grappling with their own culture's shortcomings when it comes to women and greed.
When writing the Ferengi, I drew from my own (white bread, Catholic, Army brat) background, so for example, I saw the Rules of Acquisition not as some kind of take on the Talmud, but as a satire of Western self-help business books, a kind of "How to Win Friends and Influence People," meets "The Devil's Dictionary." The Ferengi afterlife is based on my vague understanding of Chinese traditions I grew up around in San Francisco, etc.
I'm not sure we fully separated the Ferengi from the baggage they came to us with, but we definitely tried.
3K notes · View notes
budapestbug · 2 months
Text
Tumblr media
T
he herm of Saint Ladislaus
SACRAL RELICS
The herm means head-reliquary. In this case, it holds Saint Ladislaus King’s sculpture and we definitely can say that it is the most valuable piece of Hungarian metalsmithing.
The head of the herm is made of gilded, embossed silver. The sculpted reliquary was put inside, in a silver case. The work on the shoulder and chest was crafted with the wire enamel technique. This technique is from 14th century of Byzantium which from there spread to other parts of Europe thanks to Venice. And what is the wire enamel?
Artisans put plates on the subject they are decorating and they solder twisted silver wire to make subdivisions. Then they fill the subdivisions with enamel. While the enamel burns out, it shrinks and the twisted silver wire bulks from the surface.
Experts have argued a lot about the makers of the herm. Some think it was made by Márton Kolozsvári and György Kolozsvári and portrait of III. Béla is seen in the herm by that group. Saint Ladislaus was blessed during III. Béla’s reign. The others think that the head part was made around the 12th-13thcentury at Dénes master’s workshop.
We know as following the old traditions his grave was opened and his head and arms were put in separated shrines so they could make them religious relics before he became blessed in 1192. The next time it is mentioned in records was in 1273 that his sculpture was kept in the shrine in the Cathedral of Nagyvárad where Saint Ladislaus was buried. They used it at the vows. According to one of King Zsigmond’s certificates the herm was destroyed in the great fire of 1406 but the relic survived it. This is when the new herm was made with the technique mentioned earlier between 1406 and 1443. We know this because they held the herm under the tower of the cathedral in Nagyvárad. This tower collapsed but the herm did not get damaged at all.
According to legend Saint Ladislaus’ grave was robbed in 1565 but Bishop Demeter Náprági was able to get the shrine back. When he needed to leave Várad because of the persecution of the catholic people, he took the shrine with him to Gyulafehérvár, Bratislava and in 1607 to Győr. Not too long after Bishop Walter Lynch arrived in Győr and brought the Weeping Madonna painting that wept blood.
Bishop Demeter restored it in Prague. This is when the roller neck and the neck ring got on it that we can see today and this is when its gothic crown was changed. The crown is decorated with Czech grenades and glass and uncolored quartz insets.
Knight King’s personality cult was not foreign for the citizens of Győr before the arrival of Demeter Náprági. Győr town looks at the Saint King as its personal patron since that moment that Győr gave home to this national relic. The story of the earthquake in 1763 belongs to it also. Thanks to that Győr has a tradition since then and the town got a new legend that you can read about here.
They opened the herm for 4 days in 2011. The scientists (doctors, anthropologists and boffins) started a research project to get answers for the following questions during this 4 days: is there a sculpt relic in the herm? Is it a full sculpt or just pieces of it? And does this relic really belong to the Knight King?
The lower jaw and most of his teeth were missing and also little pieces of his sculpture, likely because others took small parts of this relic before as well. János Simon bishop of Győr who became diocesan bishop of Esztergom in 1867 took a tooth of Saint Ladislaus that is kept in a shrine in the Basilica of Esztergom. The shrine was made in Vienna. A little piece of the sculpt and one of the remaining 3 teeth were taken to do some research. The first fact that was figured out that Saint Ladislaus was totally healthy when he died.
The anthropology examination made sure that the herm holds the sculpture of Saint Ladislaus. We can see the colored part on the top of the sculpt and that matches the openings of the shrine that is a strong proof that the original sculpt was kept in it for centuries. Also it shows that it is Saint Ladislaus’ sculpt that it has rugged features of a man who was between 45-55 years old that is shown on the face reconstruction. This face reconstruction is very similar to the one that was made by the sculpt of the III. Béla.
See insights and ads
Boost post
All reactions:
6You, Hungarian Tourism Guide and 4 others
7 notes · View notes
licncourt · 5 months
Note
HC? If Louis or Lestat were painters or did art of some kind what would they paint or draw? Or if that doesn't jive, what would be their favorite kind of art/art style?
Ooh good question!! Sorry it took me so long to get to it!
I think Louis would want to do some Francis Bacon style grimdark self portraits but would have too much dignity for that and take a more "refined", naturalistic but moody route, maybe Carvaggio or Rembrandt-esque with some very dark religious themes. He's trying to resurrect Tradition but is still soooo Catholic /neg.
As far as art styles he likes to look at, definitely an Old World masterpieces guy, really anything evocative and Catholic like the Italian Baroque painters. He'd cry in front of a particularly poignant altarpiece for sure or if the light hit a Cimabue just right. Maybe Giotto would speak to him, some early Renaissance naturalism combined with the more mystical, fantastical Gothic style. Big stained glass enjoyer too I think.
If Lestat was an artist, I can't imagine him doing anything but performance art, I think he'd act of course, but maybe also do more abstract, interpretive theater. I bet he would come up with some very cool inter-medium shows. Maybe Armand is involved with him doing fucked up short films.
Lestat doesn't seem like a paintings guy to me as much as sculpture or collage or things like that. I think he appreciates the beauty in painting, but is more drawn to super dynamic, experimental works in terms of visual art, things that exemplify modern life like Warhol and the pop artists or Jeff Koons. This isn't my area so I don't have many specifics, but hopefully you know what I'm talking about. He probably also likes anything that Louis hates just be annoying.
8 notes · View notes
Photo
Tumblr media
Jacques de l'Ange - Gluttony - 1642
oil on canvas, height: 125.1 cm (49.2 in); width: 102.2 cm (40.2 in)
Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
Jacques de l'Ange or the Monogrammist JAD ([c. 1621 – 1650) was a Flemish painter and draughtsman known for his genre scenes and history paintings executed in a Caravaggesque style. The artist was only rediscovered in the mid-1990s as his work was previously attributed to other Northern Caravaggists and in particular those of the Utrecht School.
Jacques de l'Ange is mainly known for his series of seven genre paintings depicting the Seven deadly sins. 
The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, is a grouping and classification of vices within Christian teachings. Although they are not directly mentioned in the Bible, there are parallels with the seven things God is said to hate in the Book of Proverbs. Behaviours or habits are classified under this category if they directly give rise to other immoralities. According to the standard list, they are pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth, which are contrary to the seven capital virtues.
This classification originated with the Desert Fathers, especially Evagrius Ponticus. Evagrius' pupil John Cassian with his book The Institutes brought the classification to Europe, where it became fundamental to Catholic confessional practices as documented in penitential manuals, sermons such as "The Parson's Tale" from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and artworks such as Dante's Purgatory where the penitents of Mount Purgatory are grouped and penanced according to their worst sin. Church teaching especially focused on pride, which was thought to be the root of all sin since it turns the soul away from God; and also on greed or covetousness. Both of these were to undercut other sins.
The seven deadly sins are discussed in treatises and depicted in paintings and sculpture decorations on Catholic churches as well as older textbooks. The seven deadly sins, along with the sins against the Holy Ghost and the sins that cry to Heaven for vengeance, are taught especially in Western Christian traditions as things to be deplored.
He executed various copies of the series attesting to the popularity of the subject at the time. They are kept, amongst others, in the Hermitage Museum, the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Museumslandschaft Hessen Kassel and the Musée du Séminaire (Quebec). On its website, the Hermitage still attributes the Allegory of Vanity to Joachim Sandrart. Another painting in the series of deadly sins depicting 'Lust' has been identified in the collection of the Reggio Emilia, Galleria Parmiggiani, where it had been attributed to Joachim Sandrart and Matthias Stom.
The Ashmolean Museum has a complete set of the seven compositions executed on copper. Some of these are believed to have been painted by Jacques de l'Ange as small-scale ricordi after completion of the series around 1642 and others may be designs for the larger paintings. It is not clear whether all large paintings in the series were completed.
Like other followers of Caravaggio, de l’Ange used light, usually from a single source, to create dramatic effect. For instance in his composition representing Gluttony he placed a candle on the right-hand side of the composition to create dramatic, almost theater-like shadows. As a result, the scene emerges from the dark background and gains depth as the modelling of the figures is accentuated.
60 notes · View notes
carmelitesaet · 2 months
Text
Tumblr media
‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’ [Matthew 16:13-19]
On 22 February we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of St Peter to honour the authority of the St. Peter and his contribution to the Church.
The original chair was believed to be made of oak wood and according to legend, St Peter used this chair to deliver his sermons.
Bernini was entrusted with creating a cover to preserve the chair. The design was ornate in tradition with the baroque-style popular at that time. He incorporated messages from the Bible and symbols of Papacy in the structure.
The sculpture's base contains the life-size statues of four Doctors of the Catholic Church: St Ambrose, St Augustine of Hippo, St John Chrysostom, and St Athanasius.
Angels appear on both sides of the symbolic bronze chair guarding the wooden chair behind. A pair of Cherub angels sit on the top of the chair while holding the keys of St Peter’s in one hand and supporting the Papal tiara, which is placed directly above in the air, in the middle of the chair.
The structure has the backdrop of a golden alabaster glass window. It's decorated with statues of playful angels in the clouds. At the centre of the window is a dove, a symbol of the holy spirit. The window pane is divided into twelve sections to pay tribute to the Twelve Apostles.
3 notes · View notes
itsneonbright · 1 year
Photo
Tumblr media
Carlos’s Condo...
Carlos Reyes [Rafael Silva] is a Policeman and one of our core characters. He is a longtime friend of Michelle, and the love interest for TK. As with all sets, the most interesting part of a Set Decorator’s job is telling the story of the character through their environment...usually their home. All we knew about Carlos was that his last name is Reyes. At Modernica, I found an ornately framed picture of someone who could be his Grandfather in a WW2 uniform, and then I found a 1970s picture of some cops by a police car and thought that one could be his father.
Extrapolating, Carlos’s family has been in Texas for generations, and perhaps even when it was part of Mexico. I wanted to honor that culture and gave Carlos lots of Aztec and Mayan sculptural figures along with traditional Mexican craft items like the ceramic Palomas, papyrus paintings, a metate/molcajete, a Mexican wrestler (luchador) photograph, with a nod to Tom of Finland, and carved wooden “Spanish” table and lamps from Arte de Mexico mixed in with high-end furnishings in black bolstered leather from HD Buttercup. Being a gay, Latinx policeman from a Catholic old-Texas background makes Carlos a very interesting character! 
9-1-1 Lone Star set decor
20 notes · View notes
stjohncapistrano67 · 2 years
Text
Tumblr media
A Traditional Catholic sculpture of Our Lord and Savior.
13 notes · View notes
Tumblr media
22nd February >> Fr. Martin's Reflections / Homilies on Matthew 16:13-19 for the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter: ‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven’.
Feast of The Chair of Saint Peter
Gospel (Except USA) Matthew 16:13-19 You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’
Gospel (USA) Matthew 16:13-19 You are Peter. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Reflections (7)
(i) Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter
Paintings or sculptures of Peter often portray him as holding a bunch of keys. That portrayal goes back to today’s gospel reading, where Jesus says to Peter, ‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven’. Jesus was speaking figuratively. Keys were a symbol of authority. It is clear that the authority Jesus gives to Peter relates to a teaching authority. The language of binding and losing in a Jewish context refers to teaching authority. The Jewish experts in the Law determined which elements of the Law were binding and which could be interpreted more loosely. Peter was being given a special role in interpreting Jesus’ message for the church, a church which didn’t belong to Peter but to Jesus, ‘my church’. We believe that the role Jesus gave to Peter continues into the ministry of the Pope as Bishop of Rome. He has a special authority to interpret the message of Jesus for the church and the world today. That is why within the Roman Catholic tradition, we look to the Pope to convey to us the meaning of the gospel for today. We listen to what he says and writes. Pope Francis would be the first to say that he must be a listener to God’s word in the Scriptures. Peter could only exercise the teaching role Jesus gave him if he was a good listener and doer of God’s word, spoken and lived by Jesus. If Peter is a teacher, he must first become a learner, a listener. The gospels suggest that this was something he sometimes struggled to do. We are all called to be learners and listeners. There is a richness to the Lord’s word which we never fully exhaust. We can always keep returning to it and drawing more from the well.
And/Or
(ii) Feast of the Chair of Peter
Today’s feast celebrates the teaching authority of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope of the universal church. When Jesus declares to Peter in the gospel reading that whatever he binds on earth shall be considered bound in heaven and whatever he loses on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven, he is using terminology that was associated with teaching authority in the Jewish world of the time. Part of the teaching role of the teachers of the Jewish law was to determine which aspects of the law were binding and which could be interpreted more loosely. Jesus is portrayed in the gospel reading as giving to Peter the role of determining which aspects of the teaching of Jesus were binding and which could be interpreted more loosely. Jesus himself in the course of his ministry was a teacher in this sense, declaring some parts of the Jewish Law binding and showing that other parts could be interpreted more loosely. Jesus wants Peter to continue his own teaching role into the future. As Catholics, we believe that this same teaching role resides with the Bishop of Rome today, whom we recognize as the successor of Peter. In that sense our church is a teaching church and that teaching finds expression in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This teaching is given as a resource to help us to understand what we believe in and to guide us in the living out of that faith. Apart from the Catechism, each Pope also gives his own distinctive understanding of the faith in his personal teaching.  Today we thank God for Pope Francis whose teachings in their various forms have been an inspiration not only to people of faith within the Catholic church but to people of faith in other churches, in other religious traditions, and to those of no particular religious faith. We pray that we ourselves would be attentive to what this particular successor of Peter is saying to us today. 
And/Or
(iii) Feast of the chair of Peter
Today’s feast, ‘The Chair of St Peter’ is an ancient feast that has been kept at Rome since the fourth century; it celebrates the role of the Bishop of Rome as a symbol of unity for all Christians. In the gospel reading, Simon Peter is singled out as the Rock on which Jesus wants to build his church. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul identifies Jesus as the foundation on which the church is built, and he declares that no one can lay any other foundation. Yet, here in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus identifies Peter as the rock, the foundation, on which the church is built. How can Matthew and Paul be reconciled? In the gospel reading, although Jesus singles out Peter as the rock on which the church is built, Jesus refers to the church as ‘my church’. The church is the church of Jesus; it is not the church of Peter or of anybody else. If Peter is the rock on which Jesus’ church is built, he is so as the representative of Jesus, the true rock. His calling is to represent Jesus, to embody Jesus, in a unique way, to provide for Jesus’ church. That is the special calling of every bishop of Rome, every Pope, since the time of Peter. Anyone who knows anything about church history will be aware that not every Pope has lived up to that very special and challenging calling. Indeed, Peter himself was far from perfect, denying Jesus three times. Yet, the gospels show that after rising from the dead Jesus kept faith with Peter. It seems that Jesus is content to entrust great responsibility for his church to those who are prone to failure. Our present Pope Francis has a deep sense of himself as a loved and forgiven sinner. That is true of all of us. As loved sinners, we each have a vital role to play in the Lord’s church.
And/Or
(iv) Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter
In the Jewish culture of Jesus’ time it was customary for the teachers of the Law to sit when teaching. At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew depicts Jesus as sitting, ‘When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying…’ The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter commemorates the teaching authority of the Bishop of Rome, the Vicar of Christ. In Matthew’s gospel, from which today’s gospel reading is taken, Jesus is the great teacher. He is the authoritative interpreter of God’s will for our lives because he teaches as Emmanuel, God-with-us. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is portrayed as passing on his teaching authority to Peter. The image of ‘keys’ suggests authority and responsibility. The reference to binding and loosing specifies the nature of this authority and responsibility. The experts in the Jewish Law bound and loosed the Law; by their teaching they showed what was binding in the Law and what could be taken more loosely. In Matthew’s gospel, it is Jesus who performs this teaching role. He declares authoritatively when the Law is binding and when it could be interpreted more loosely than was customary at the time. When Jesus passes on his teaching authority to Peter, it is not the Jewish Law that Peter is to bind or lose but Jesus’ own teaching. Peter is being given the role of interpreting the teaching of Jesus for the church that will be formed beyond the death and resurrection of Jesus, declaring what is binding there and what can be taken more loosely. As Roman Catholics we believe that the teaching role that Jesus entrusted to Peter now resides with the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. We look to him to give the lead in interpreting the teaching of Jesus for the church and beyond. At a time when authority, at so many levels and in so many institutions, has been weakened, today’s feast invites us to renew our confidence in the teaching authority of the Pope, whom we believe to be guided by the Spirit of the risen Lord.
And/Or
(v) Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter
In every cathedral of the worldwide church, there is to be found a special chair where the bishop or archbishop of the Diocese sits when he is celebrating the liturgy. The chair is a symbol of the teaching authority of the bishop. In Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome behind the main altar at the very back of the Basilica in a very elevated position is an ancient wooden chair encased in bronze. It is traditionally understood to be the chair of Saint Peter. He was recognized as having a special teaching authority among the faithful from the very beginning of the church. That teaching authority was based on the gospel reading for today’s feast. Jesus is portrayed as giving Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Keys are a symbol of authority. It is clear that teaching authority is involved from Jesus’ subsequent reference to binding and losing. It is a Jewish expression which relates to the teaching authority of the experts in the Jewish Law. They could bind and lose the Law, determining which elements of God’s Law were binding and which could be interpreted more loosely. Peter is being asked to interpret not the Jewish Law but Jesus’ own teaching for the other members of the church. In this way, he is to watch over the flock of God, in the words of today’s first reading. The Catholic Church has always recognized that this teaching role that Jesus assigned to Peter resided in a special way with the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, who is understood to be Peter’s successor in this regard. We look to Pope Francis, and to each Pope, to proclaim the teaching of Jesus in a way that speaks to the issues and concerns of our times. Jesus was aware that his words, his teaching, would need to be re-interpreted continually for every age. Today we ask for the grace to listen to Pope Francis who, we believe, is especially inspired to interpret the teaching of Jesus for us for this age.
And/Or
(vi) Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus speaks of ‘the scribes and the Pharisees who sit on Moses’ seat’. The scribes and Pharisees were teachers and ‘Moses’ seat’ was a symbol of their teaching authority. Such teachers in the time of Jesus usually sat to teach, with their disciples or pupils gathered around them. The chair or seat of Peter is a symbol of the teaching authority of the Bishop of Rome, whom we call the Pope. This feast commemorates the teaching authority of the Vicar of Christ. In the life-time of many of us, we have witnessed several Popes, each of them very different from the preceding one and the following one. In the past fifty years alone we have had a Pope from Italy, Poland, Germany and Argentina. Yet, as Roman Catholics, we believe that what they have in common is a special teaching authority. They each exercised that teaching role in their own very distinctive way. It is a teaching role that goes back to the teaching role entrusted by Jesus to Peter. In the gospel reading, Jesus says to Peter, ‘whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven’. The language of binding and loosing is a little strange to our ears, but it was a common Jewish term to refer to a teaching role. As teachers, the scribes and Pharisees had the authority to determine what aspects of the Jewish Law were binding and what aspects could be interpreted more loosely. However, Peter is being given authority as teacher not with regard to the Jewish Law but with regard to Jesus’ own teaching. He has a special role in interpreting the teaching of Jesus for the church of Jesus, ‘on this rock I will build my church’. We believe that this role given to Peter now resides in a special way with the Bishop of Rome. As disciples of Jesus today, we listen to his word as it comes to us in the Scriptures, but we also listen to his as it comes to us through the teaching of our present Pope who seeks to interpret Jesus’ word for us today. In that sense, we are all listeners, we are learners, we are pupils, seeking to know and to do the will of God as Jesus has revealed it to us by his teaching, his life, his death and resurrection.
And/Or
(vii) Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is portrayed as giving Peter a very distinctive role. He is to be the foundation stone of the church, the community of believers, holding it together in unity. He is given keys, symbolic language for some kind of authoritative role in the church. The language of binding and losing suggests the nature of this authoritative role. It is a teaching role with the authority to declare which elements of Jesus’ teaching are binding and which are not. Peter is to interpret the message of Jesus for the church. Within our own Roman Catholic tradition, we consider this role of Peter to reside in the Bishop or Rome, the Pope. In every age the church looks to him as the focal point of unity for all disciples of the Lord and as the authoritative interpreter of the message of Jesus for the church and the world. There have been good and bad Popes in the history of the church. In recent decades we have been very fortunate to have Popes who have been faithful to the role given to Peter in today’s gospel reading. Jesus was willing to give Peter this role because Peter had displayed a deep insight into the identity of Jesus, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’. This was a God-given insight, as Jesus said to him, ‘it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven’. Peter’s unique understanding of Jesus was the basis of the authoritative role Jesus went on to give him. Whereas Peter’s role was unique, the question of Jesus is addressed to us all, ‘Who do you say I am?’ It is a very personal question addressed to each one of us, a question that calls us to renew our faith in Jesus, recognizing him as Son of God and Lord of our life. Such a faith insight into Jesus is always God given; it is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is the Spirit who leads us to the complete truth about Jesus. Insofar as we come to know Jesus as he truly is, our own faith will be authoritative, in that it will empower others to believe. As our own relationship with the Lord deepens, the Lord will work through us to lead others to him.
Fr. Martin Hogan.
4 notes · View notes
rabbitcruiser · 1 year
Photo
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Semana Santa Spain
Semana Santa is observed annually in Spain during the week immediately before Easter and this year it takes place from April 2 to 9. Also known as Holy Week, Semana Santa is observed by Catholics to commemorate the Passion of Jesus Christ, his suffering, and death on the cross. Throughout the week, religious brotherhoods and fraternities carry out penance processions through the streets of almost every Spanish city and town. These activities attract visitors from outside Spain and are often advertised in hand guides and international fairs.
History of Semana Santa Spain
Semana Santa commemorates the Passion of Christ, that is, the suffering of Jesus before his crucifixion. The term ‘passion’ derives from the Latin verb ‘patior’ or ‘passus sum,’ meaning to ‘endure,’ ‘suffer,’ or ‘bear.’ In Catholic tradition, this often refers to specific events from the Christian Bible, such as the ‘Triumphant Entry’ of Jesus into Jerusalem. He rode into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey, and as he did, the people greeted him as the Jewish Messiah, the ‘Son of David.’
When he arrived, he went into the Jerusalem temple and expelled the money changers who were doing business there. Later, Jesus and his disciples shared a meal known as the ‘Last Supper,’ from where Judas Iscariot left to betray Jesus to the religious leaders of Israel. Another important event was Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed until his sweat became like drops of blood. Immediately after this, he was arrested and put on trial, then unjustly declared guilty. Jesus was subsequently crucified, but after three days, he rose again.
Religious brotherhoods and fraternities hold penance processions through the streets of Spain during Holy Week. The participants or brothers typically use conical hooded penitent gowns to conceal their faces. They wear shackles on their feet and carry wooden crosses or candles. The ‘pasos,’ which floats with sculptures that depict scenes from the Passion of Christ or the Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, are another fascinating aspect of the processions. Typically, marching bands, or ‘marchas procesionales’ in Spanish, accompany the floats. Holy Week in Spain is more than just a religious celebration; it also draws visitors from worldwide who come to see the processions. Typically, the processions are advertised at significant international fairs, hand guides, and on T.V.
Semana Santa Spain timeline
Eighth Century The Reconquista Begins
During the Reconquista, Christian kingdoms expel Muslim Moors from the Iberian Peninsula.
1478 The Spanish Inquisition is Formed
The Spanish Inquisition is established to combat heresy in Spain.
1521 The Stations of the Cross are Institutionalized
After returning from the Holy Land, the Marques de Tarifa establishes the ‘Via Crucis,’ Stations of the Cross, in Spain.
1851 The State Adopts Catholicism
Catholicism becomes the official state religion of Spain with the signing of the Concordat of 1851.
Semana Santa Spain FAQs
What is Easter called in Spain?
Easter is called ‘Pascua’ in Spain.
What foods are eaten during Semana Santa?
Popular meals eaten during Semana Santa include Torrijas, Potaje de Vigilia, Roscos Fritos, Sopa de Ajo, and Mona de Pascua.
What other countries celebrate Semana Santa?
Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Bolivia, Guatemala, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, and others.
Semana Santa Spain Activities
Learn from Christ’s life
Watch a parade
Love others
There are many lessons to learn from the life of the humble Christ. Take a moment to read one of the Gospels and discover what unconditional love means.
Whether or not you’re in Spain, you can take advantage of online platforms to stream one of the parades. Get a feel of the processions and see why it’s such a huge attraction.
While Christ was on earth, he exemplified true and abiding love. This Holy Week, commit to showing love in action, speech, and thought.
5 Amazing Facts About Spain
Spain borders Africa
It’s home to the second most-spoken language
Spain practices a constitutional monarchy
Other languages are spoken
Spain was once a Muslim country
Out of all the European countries, Spain is the only one that shares a border with an African country, which happens to be Morocco.
With over 500 million speakers, Spanish is the second most-spoken language in the world.
Although Spain is a democratic country, it also has a monarch — the current one being King Felipe VI.
Languages other than Spanish spoken in Spain include Celtic, Basque, Occitan, and Catalan.
Between 711 A.D. and 1492, Al-Andalus, as Spain was previously called, was under the control of Islamic Moors from North Africa.
Why We Love Semana Santa Spain
Christ paid the ultimate price
Christ touched many lives
Christ’s followers heal the world
Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice for sins, offering his life and blood. He consented to the worst kind of beating, spitting, and killing, to demonstrate selfless love to everyone who accepts him as Lord.
While on earth, Jesus left footprints in the lives of all who met him. He lifted the oppressed, healed the sick, and raised the dead. Till today, his impact on the world has not diminished.
Jesus set an example for his followers, teaching them to love enemies and do good to all. This peaceful lifestyle can be seen perpetuated by Christ’s followers in our world today, centuries after his ascension to heaven.
Source
12 notes · View notes
thehalftrollscholar · 9 months
Text
Something I love about being Roman Catholic, is how much of our faith is expressed through art. We are encouraged to share our faith with paintings, music, sculptures, not because of the iconography, but because we’re filled with so much passion that we have to share it. 
One of the reasons the Vatican is so important, even to non Catholics, is because it’s a huge repository of art, history, and knowledge. A giant art gallery/museum/library.
In Catholic teaching, the very act of creating something is inherently holy. When you create a piece of art or anything that you feel pride, your putting a piece of your faith in it, God and the Holy Ghost are working through you to just show your love, love for your life and your faith.
Now, some faiths teach it as being sinful or disrespectful to create any iconography that is not of Christ, and that’s something that the Catholic faith gets a lot of judgment for.
But when we make paintings and sculptures of saints and of Mary, we’re not doing it out of disrespect to the Lord. When we pray to saints it’s not because we worship them, but because we admire them and wish to recognize those who gave their lives to do God’s work. We are praying to God to help us live like them, when there are certain things we are struggling with.
Music, while obviously important to many faiths and religions, it is especially important to Catholics. Most of our mass is done through song and music. 
This is particularly true for me, as I come from a Polish American family. And I’m only third generation American meaning that my family still practices a lot of traditions brought over from the old country. And old world Catholicism is very much about combining your heritage, your culture, any part of your life with your faith.
And I don’t know if it’s a thing about Polish families, or European families, or just Catholic families, or what. But we love to sing, when I am with my family one of us will just start singing out of the blue, and the whole family will join. Little lullabies or songs that we heard on the radio, or just straight nonsense that we come up with on the spot. 
A part of me thinks this comes from my mother’s family who’s culture is so important to our identity. Because my dad‘s family they don’t really do that. They’re very quiet, very reserved with their emotions. And most of the places I’ve been to in my life most groups of people are similar to that. Meanwhile, most of my mother’s family and other Catholic communities I’ve been to people are very outspoken, fiery, and really want to share not just their faith, but their life, their traditions, their heritage, their passions!
To Roman Catholics, the simplest things contain a shred of divinity in them. Too Babci cooing to the little baby in the crib, making pierogi with your mother in the kitchen, too wandering the woods with your friends and siblings, the old men sitting on the porch, talking back-and-forth about whatever.
The very act of living, of breathing, of joy, of simply existing right now at this moment…. is holy!
And that is one of the reasons why I, despite my struggles and doubts, will always be Catholic, and proud of it.
2 notes · View notes
hussyknee · 2 years
Note
Hope youre staying safe in all the chaos! Just out of interest, what are your opinions on tourism to sri lanka at the moment?
I am quite safe, been parked at home well away from the capital. 😊 Tourists are 100% safe to come here, or at least as safe as any other South Asian country would be. Coming here would be a huge help to the economy actually, and people would probably bend over backwards for tourists because it's one of our arterial industries and it's all but dead in the water right now.
The protests have so far been peaceful, and foreigners have even pitched in for some of them, especially at Gotagogama. 😂The violence has come purely from state enforcers, and even they think twice about harrassing a foreign national. Situations only get out of hand and result in casualties when the cops keep escalating their attacks, because it's second nature for protestors by now to head towards a clash rather than away from it. The people erupted into violence exactly one day in May, and even then the riots targeted only government MPs and their assorted enforcers. No one else was harmed. And yes, we're as flabbergasted about that as anyone.
The thing about the Aragalaya (the People's Struggle, a purely groundswell movement all over the island, dedicated to ousting the Rajapaksas) is that we're very, very clear on what we want, which is the Rajapaksas and their cronies out and the current government dissolved. Because there are so many disparate groups and factions involved, whenever one starts picking a sidequest, the others step in like "what're you doing, you're putting all of us in danger". The Aragalaya also has many middle class urbanites and moderates in the mix, whose socioeconomic privileges shield the others from the kind of police brutality the poorer ones would receive. The price of that otoh, is staying "respectable" and proving that they're aligning themselves with people exercising their democratic rights and not unpredictable rabble-rousers.
Some of us have actually been talking about "protest tourism" in a jokey but semi-serious fashion, because the Aragalaya is so wonderful and unprecedented. Gotagogama (Gota Go Village) sprung up as an encampment that grew to an organic anarchist community, subsisting entirely on mutual aid and refusing gifts of money. I haven't been able to visit it myself because I'm not well enough to travel so far and be among a high-energy crowd, but I have never seen the disability community this visible or represented anywhere before. People in wheelchairs, disabled soldiers, Deaf and Blind people and their interpreters and guides, people with physical and facial differences of every race, class and gender. Also, LGBT people with rainbow flags flying high over the heads of Catholic nuns distributing food, imams leading prayers, Buddhist monks chanting pirith. Performance art, dances, musical shows, and paintings and sculptures of so many different traditions hung all around. "Unity" is a cosmetic concept for me, that spackles over unhealed hurts, conflicts and sins. But Gotagogama is the very definition of co-existence; people with drastically different values and worldviews who can live next to each other in a co-operative community just because there is no hierarchical power to exploit against one another. This is replicated in smaller scale in the GGG satellite communities in Kandy and other protest villages in the South. It's an extraordinary thing to witness an entire nation rising up against a common oppressor in such a peaceful fashion. It's rather terrible that I have never been able to see any of these in person except through a phone screen, due to lack of health, money and transport.
Which brings me to the actual sticking point - lack of fuel. Everyone is hoping and praying that the caretaker government we're waiting on will be able to negotiate some loans and aid relief to ease the fuel crisis in the coming weeks, but right now nobody outside Colombo can find a cab for love or money, the fuel queues are miles and days long. People are trying to work from home as much as possible, the few buses still running are packed, and it's a struggle to even get in deliveries on time. I've been stuck at home for two whole weeks. The hotels would keep you well supplied with food and essentials, but the cost of living is currently around 50% from where it was a few months ago, and the country is hurting for dollars, so it might not be the budget destination of your dreams. Otoh, 1 USD could buy someone a whole meal, and 1 in 2 children are in a state of health emergency, so I am unapologetically asking people to see this as an opportunity for poverty tourism. If you can help feed a child or give someone money for their meds, then I don't give a shit if you want to see how the poors live or starving children photos you want to take. Make this your Good Samaritan Summer or something.
The only people I don't want to come here are anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers. We have a robust culture of masking and vaccinating here because nobody has thought of dying of plague to own the liberals (yet, god forbid), and our vaccination drives have always been a point of national pride. But we're still way short of the vaccination targets, and masking has regrettably fallen by the wayside during the protests, the cases are spiking again and masking is non-negotiable for places of business like hotels. If you try to sneak into this country full of vulnerable malnourished people and a public health sector teetering on the verge of collapse by forging your vaccination papers, I will personally feed you to the crocodiles in Diyawanna Oya.
TL:Dr: please come, nobody's hurting foreigners, you're quite safe as long as you listen to the locals, we need your dollars desperately so choosing to come here for your tropical holiday fun is also a Good Samaritan act, transport will be an issue so don't plan to travel a lot though, and for the love of God, vaccinate yourself and mask up. ❤️
18 notes · View notes
budapestbug · 11 months
Text
Tumblr media
The herm of Saint Ladislaus
SACRAL RELICS
The herm means head-reliquary. In this case, it holds Saint Ladislaus King’s sculpture and we definitely can say that it is the most valuable piece of Hungarian metalsmithing.
The head of the herm is made of gilded, embossed silver. The sculpted reliquary was put inside, in a silver case. The work on the shoulder and chest was crafted with the wire enamel technique. This technique is from 14th century of Byzantium which from there spread to other parts of Europe thanks to Venice. And what is the wire enamel?
Artisans put plates on the subject they are decorating and they solder twisted silver wire to make subdivisions. Then they fill the subdivisions with enamel. While the enamel burns out, it shrinks and the twisted silver wire bulks from the surface.
Experts have argued a lot about the makers of the herm. Some think it was made by Márton Kolozsvári and György Kolozsvári  and portrait of III. Béla is seen in the herm by that group. Saint Ladislaus was blessed during III. Béla’s reign. The others think that the head part was made around the 12th-13thcentury  at Dénes master’s workshop.
We know as following the old traditions his grave was opened and his head and arms were put in separated shrines so they could make them religious relics before he became blessed in 1192. The next time it is mentioned in records was in 1273 that his sculpture was kept in the shrine in the Cathedral of Nagyvárad where Saint Ladislaus was buried. They used it at the vows. According to one of King Zsigmond’s certificates the herm was destroyed in the great fire of 1406 but the relic survived it. This is when the new herm was made with the technique mentioned earlier between 1406 and 1443. We know this because they held the herm under the tower of the cathedral in Nagyvárad. This tower collapsed but the herm did not get damaged at all.
According to legend Saint Ladislaus’ grave was robbed in 1565 but Bishop Demeter Náprági was able to get the shrine back. When he needed to leave Várad because of the persecution of the catholic people, he took the shrine with him to Gyulafehérvár, Bratislava and in 1607 to Győr. Not too long after Bishop Walter Lynch arrived in Győr and brought the Weeping Madonna painting that wept blood.
Bishop Demeter restored it in Prague. This is when the roller neck and the neck ring got on it that we can see today and this is when its gothic crown was changed. The crown is decorated with Czech grenades and glass and uncolored quartz insets.
Knight King’s personality cult was not foreign for the citizens of Győr before the arrival of Demeter Náprági. Győr town looks at the Saint King as its personal patron since that moment that Győr gave home to this national relic. The story of the earthquake in 1763 belongs  to it also. Thanks to that Győr has a tradition since then and the town got a new legend that you can read about here.
They opened the herm for 4 days in 2011. The scientists (doctors, anthropologists and boffins) started a research project to get answers for the following questions during this 4 days: is there a sculpt relic in the herm? Is it a full sculpt or just pieces of it? And does this relic really belong to the Knight King?
The lower jaw and most of his teeth were missing and also little pieces of his sculpture, likely because others took small parts of this relic before as well. János Simon bishop of Győr who became diocesan bishop of Esztergom in 1867 took a tooth of Saint Ladislaus that is kept in a shrine in the Basilica of Esztergom. The shrine was made in Vienna. A little piece of the sculpt and one of the remaining 3 teeth were taken to do some research. The first fact that was figured out that Saint Ladislaus was totally healthy when he died.
The anthropology examination made sure that the herm holds the sculpture of Saint Ladislaus. We can see the colored part on the top of the sculpt and that matches the  openings of the shrine that is a strong proof that the original sculpt was kept in it for centuries. Also it shows that it is Saint Ladislaus’ sculpt that it has rugged features of a man who was between 45-55 years old that is shown on the face reconstruction. This face reconstruction is very similar to the one that was made by the sculpt of the III. Béla.
4 notes · View notes
Text
Holiday
Tumblr media
Holiday Holidays are an integral part of human culture. They are organized to honor cultural values, traditions, history, and religion. However, the origins and emergence of festivals are a complex and diverse story around the world.
The origins of festivals can be found in ancient cultures. In ancient times, people often organized festivals to honor gods, legendary figures, and important events in history. These festivals were often organized in cycles and had a religious nature, so they were usually associated with religious sites such as temples, pagodas, and churches.
However, over time, festivals have become more diverse and have undergone many changes to fit different situations. For example, in Europe, festivals became popular in the Middle Ages when kings organized events to honor warriors and armies. Meanwhile, in Asia, festivals are often related to plant seasons and harvests, and are organized to honor agricultural deities.
As a result, festivals have become an indispensable part of the culture of countries around the world. Festivals are organized to honor the cultural values and traditions of different ethnic groups, while also providing opportunities for tourism, exchange, and learning about the cultures of others.
Popular festivals such as the Carnival in Brazil, La Tomatina in Spain, or the Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China all have their own origins and emergence. Therefore, when participating in these festivals, you will have the opportunity to experience and understand more about the history, culture, and traditions of the country and its local people.
In addition, festivals also play an important role in introducing and promoting tourism for localities. Festivals often attract a large number of tourists to participate, contributing to the local economy, while also helping to raise awareness about the culture and traditions of different countries.
However, it is important to note that festivals can also cause some issues such as significantly increasing the amount of waste, traffic congestion and noise, affecting the living environment of the local community. Therefore, organizing festivals needs to be done sustainably, ensuring the minimization of negative impacts on the environment and community.
In summary, the origins and emergence of festivals have roots in the history and culture of humanity. They not only honor cultural values and traditions, but also make important contributions to the local economy and cultural exchange between countries worldwide. However, organizing festivals needs to be done sustainably to reduce negative impacts on the environment and community.
Christmas Christmas is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25. However, the origin of the holiday is still a topic of debate.
There are several theories about the origin of Christmas. One theory is that it may be related to the winter solstice (also known as Yule) in the ancient Roman calendar. This day was also celebrated with festivals and rituals by the Vikings and ancient Germans, and was incorporated into the Roman Catholic calendar in the fourth century.
Another theory is that December 25 was chosen as the date to commemorate Jesus’ birth to replace the winter solstice festivals held in ancient Greece.
Finally, another theory suggests that December 25 was chosen because it was the day that Jesus was elevated to the position of king, with a crown placed on his head in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) in 800 AD.
Regardless of the exact reason, Christmas is still an important holiday and tradition in many countries around the world, celebrated with religious ceremonies and fun entertainment activities.
Santa Claus Santa Claus is a familiar character to people all over the world, especially in Western countries. He is a symbol of Christmas and is believed to bring gifts to children on Christmas Eve.
However, Santa Claus is not a real historical figure, but rather a legend that has been passed down through generations. It is believed that Santa Claus was inspired by a real person, Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century bishop who lived in Turkey. Saint Nicholas was known for his compassion and generosity, often helping the poor and children.
During that time, Orthodox churches held celebrations on December 6th to honor Saint Nicholas. However, due to changes in history and culture, this celebration was moved to December 25th – Christmas Day. From then on, Saint Nicholas became a symbol of Christmas and was known by different names such as Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or Santa Claus.
Santa Claus is depicted as a plump, bearded old man wearing glasses, usually dressed in a bright red suit. He drives a sleigh with accompanying reindeer and carries a bag of gifts. According to tradition, on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus visits each house to place presents for children in the gift bag. In Western countries, it is also a common tradition to place shoes on the fireplace on Christmas Eve to await Santa Claus.
However, many people believe that Santa Claus is not just a character in folklore but also represents love, unity, and joy of the Christmas season. Every year, Santa Claus’ image appears on a variety of decorations, books, and movies related to Christmas, becoming a cultural symbol representing this festive season.
One of the most popular traditions of Santa Claus is the act of giving gifts to children on Christmas Eve. Many people believe that giving gifts during Christmas is not only to make children happy but also to honor hope and faith in the future. Santa Claus is also seen as a symbol of generosity and love, always ready to help those who are in need.
In addition, Santa Claus has been featured in many works of art and literature, especially in stories and movies for children. One of the most famous works about Santa Claus is “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore, in which Santa Claus is described as a cheerful, affectionate, and generous character.
However, as with any character in folklore, there are many different versions of Santa Claus. In some places, he is described as a different character, with different costumes or characteristics. For example, in some places, he is called “Papa Noel” and wears a blue cloak. However, no matter how different he may appear, Santa Claus’s love and generosity are always the core values ​​of him.
In recent years, Santa Claus has become an indispensable part of the Christmas season and an important cultural icon. Anyone can find meaning and feel the love and hope represented by Santa Claus during this festive season.
The Grinch The Grinch is a well-known fictional character from the fairy tale “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss. This character is described as a sky-blue monster with a yellow beard and sparkling yellow eyes. He is often seen as a symbol of discontent and dissatisfaction, and is known to be a mentally troubled and reclusive figure.
Living alone in a cold, isolated house on top of a mountain, The Grinch has no friends, no family, and is frequently lonely. He always feels abandoned and believes that he has no place in society. Consequently, The Grinch feels incredibly annoyed and resentful towards the citizens of Whoville, who are always smiling and cheerful during the Christmas season.
As a result, The Grinch decides to steal Christmas from the people of Whoville to demonstrate his opposition to their actions and thoughts. However, as we know, The Grinch’s plan fails when he realizes that Christmas is not about receiving gifts or waiting for Santa Claus, but about love, sharing, and connecting with loved ones.
The Grinch is a character with complex personality traits. He always feels isolated and unaccepted in society, and as a result, he can be stubborn and sometimes has a bad attitude. However, when he is shown love and care, he becomes compassionate and learns to forgive. This character is a testament to the fact that no matter how closed off or lonely we may feel, love and care will always help us overcome difficulties and feel happiness.
After failing to steal Christmas from the town of Whoville, the Grinch realizes that love and care from others are far more important than any material possessions. He changes his thinking and actions, starting to care for and nurture those around him.
The Grinch has become a symbol of change and forgiveness. His actions have ignited faith in humanity, sharing, and compassion. Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” has become one of the most famous literary works about Christmas, and the Grinch has become a beloved character for many generations of children.
The Grinch is a deeply meaningful character, bringing a message of love, sharing, and connection between human beings. This character has helped us realize that, no matter how lonely or unaccepted we may feel, love and care still exist and will help us overcome any difficulties in life.
The Grinch is a testament to the fact that within each of us exists a sacred piece, and if we know how to explore and express that piece, we can become good people and contribute positively to society.
Halloween Halloween is an annual festival celebrated on October 31st. But where does Halloween originate from? Why has it become one of the biggest festivals of the year? In this article, we will explore the origins of Halloween.
It is believed that Halloween originated from an ancient festival of the Celts (a tribe that lived in the area that is now Ireland, England, and Northern France) called Samhain. This festival was held on November 1st and was considered a day that marked the transition from autumn to winter. During this festival, the Celts believed that the souls of the dead would return to the world of the living on Halloween night, bringing with them strange and frightening occurrences.
When Christianity spread to the Celtic region in the 5th century, a new festival was created to replace Samhain. This festival was called All Saints’ Day or All Hallows, and it was celebrated on November 1st to commemorate the saints and the souls of the departed. The night before, the Christian community held a festival called All Hallows Eve, which later became abbreviated to Halloween.
Later, when Europeans came to America, they brought Halloween with them and made some changes. For example, Americans added their own characteristic games and activities such as making Halloween cookies and decorating their homes with scary things. This festival became part of American culture and is widely celebrated across the country.
In summary, Halloween originated from the Celtic festival of Samhain and was transformed into a Christian festival in the 5th century. Later, when Europeans came to America, they brought Halloween with them and made some changes to adapt to their culture. Today, Halloween has become one of the biggest festivals of the year in America and is celebrated by both children and adults.
On Halloween day, people often dress up in scary and spooky costumes and go out on the streets to participate in typical festival activities such as trick-or-treating at neighboring houses or joining Halloween cake decoration contests. Additionally, people also organize Halloween parties and watch horror movies to enhance the spooky atmosphere of the festival.
However, there are also some people who dislike Halloween because they believe that the festival has a higher moral and religious tone. They think that dressing up in scary costumes, decorating houses with scary objects, and participating in spooky activities can increase the fear and anxiety of children. This is also one of the reasons why the Halloween festival still encounters controversy and opposition in some communities.
Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that Halloween is a part of American culture and is loved by many people around the world. It is an occasion to discuss moral and religious issues and also an opportunity to participate in activities and create memorable moments with family and friends.
Jack Skeleton Jack Skeleton is one of the most famous characters in the classic animated film “The Nightmare Before Christmas” by Walt Disney Pictures. This fictional character is depicted as a skeleton, a dead human, with a fascinating and mischievous personality.
Jack is a unique character, not only because of his eccentric appearance, but also because of his personality. He is a talented and creative individual with a passion for art. Jack always seeks out new and strange things, and often leads adventures to explore the world.
Despite his friendly and affectionate nature towards others, Jack is also very curious and tends to be reckless. This leads to many humorous and disastrous situations in his life, and often puts him in dangerous situations.
However, Jack Skeleton also has a dark side, another aspect of his personality. He always feels dissatisfied with his life and constantly seeks change. This leads him to devise a complicated plan to change Christmas, a holiday he does not understand nor like.
With the help of other characters in the film, Jack Skeleton eventually understands the value of Christmas and decides to return to his role in the holiday. This shows that Jack Skeleton is not only an interesting and talented character, but also a character with positive change in his life.
In summary, Jack Skellington is a very special and interesting character in the animated film “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. With his curious, daring, and creative personality, he has inspired many audiences and become an icon of innovation and adventure.
Although he is a creepy character, Jack Skellington has a cute and adorable appearance with his black bow tie and black and white vest. However, this exterior image conceals his full talent and emotional nature.
Moreover, Jack Skellington is a highly influential character in popular culture. He has appeared in many toys, costumes, and graphics, and has become one of the icons of Halloween and Christmas. His famous quotes, such as “What’s this?” and “Just because I cannot see it, doesn’t mean I can’t believe it.” have also become classic lines that many people quote and refer to.
In reality, Jack Skeleton has become an icon for creativity and change in life. He has shown us that even in difficult situations or ups and downs in life, we can still find ways to change and move forward.
With all of his unique traits and influence, Jack Skeleton is truly a lovable and memorable character in the world of animation. Perhaps, he will continue to inspire generations of audiences in the future, and become an eternal symbol of creativity and innovation.
Michael Myers Michael Myers is one of the most infamous horror characters in film history, created by director John Carpenter in the 1978 movie “Halloween”. He is a serial killer who has murdered many people in his family and friends, and has become an icon in the horror genre.
Michael Myers is portrayed as a cold-blooded, emotionless murderer who shows no signs of fear or shame. He always wears a white protective suit and a childlike mask with deep black eyes and a chilling gaze. Since he was young, Michael has shown signs of cruelty and violence, and one Halloween night, he killed his older sister and was sent to an orphanage.
After escaping from the orphanage, Michael returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he was born, and begins his killing spree. In most of the Michael Myers films, he is portrayed as a ruthless predator, preying on the fear and trauma of his victims to chase and kill them.
Despite being a terrifying and haunting character, Michael Myers has also become a notable cultural icon. The films about him have become classic works in the horror genre, and his image has been widely used in other products such as comics, books, and video games.
Michael Myers is considered one of the scariest and most famous serial killers in film history. His brutality and violence have influenced many filmmakers and authors in the horror genre. If you are a fan of horror movies, you surely know Michael Myers, and he remains one of the most beloved and terrifying characters in the world of cinema. Despite there being many films about him, Michael Myers still holds the audience’s interest. And that’s not just because of his brutality and terror, but also because of his successful portrayal and characterization.
One of the important factors that contribute to the allure of Michael Myers is his white protective suit and mask. The white suit, similar to the uniform of security guards in psychiatric hospitals, creates a sense of unity between Michael and those employees, making it seem like he’s a part of the system. Meanwhile, his child-like mask creates a surprise and horror for victims who cannot know what Michael is thinking or doing behind that mask.
The silence of Michael Myers also contributes to his appeal as a character. He never speaks, never reacts to what others say or do. This creates a stark contrast with other serial killers in films, who often have cunning speeches or dramatic reactions when confronted with their victims.
However, Michael Myers’ appeal is not only due to his characterization and acting, but also to his portrayal as an unstoppable force. In many situations, Michael has been defeated, bound, and even shot dead. Yet in all these cases, he returns or reappears mysteriously. This creates suspense, curiosity, and a sense of haunting for the audience, as they wonder if he can be defeated completely or not.
Michael Myers’ appeal is also created by the reason he became a serial killer. In the first Halloween film, he was a six-year-old boy imprisoned in a mental institution after killing his older sister. After escaping and returning to the town of Haddonfield, he continued to brutally kill people without a clear motive. The lack of a clear motive for Michael Myers’ actions creates a sense of fear and unpredictability.
In summary, Michael Myers’ appeal lies in his silence, portrayal as an unstoppable force, and lack of clear motive for his actions. These elements create a sense of suspense, haunting, and fear for the audience, making him one of the most iconic horror characters in film history.
However, Michael Myers is not a character completely devoid of emotion. In many films, he shows a special concern for his younger sister, Laurie Strode. This creates a complex interplay between his brutality and empathy, adding a nuanced dimension to his character.
Overall, Michael Myers is one of the most beloved horror characters in the world of cinema thanks to his successful portrayal and character design, his unbeatable nature, and the chilling feeling he creates. However, to achieve this level of appeal, it requires the complexity and creativity of filmmakers to create such a frightening and powerful character like Michael Myers.
ST PATRICK’S DAY St. Patrick is one of the most revered saints in Ireland. He is a famous missionary and is considered the founder of Christianity in Ireland. Every year on March 17th, people around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day to honor him.
St. Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland. When he was 16 years old, he was captured and sold into slavery to a family in Ireland. He worked hard for six years, but during that time, he learned a lot about the culture and religion of Ireland.After escaping slavery, St. Patrick returned to Scotland and became a Christian. He then went back to Ireland and preached Christianity to the people there. He established many churches and became an important figure in Irish history.
One of the most iconic symbols of St. Patrick’s Day is the shamrock. According to legend, St. Patrick used this plant to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the people of Ireland. The three leaves of the shamrock represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the Christian religion.
Today, St. Patrick’s Day has become an important holiday celebrated around the world. People organize parades and wear green outfits, the color of the Irish flag. Many restaurants and bars also hold events to commemorate the day.
However, beyond the festivities and feasting, St. Patrick’s Day also holds a significant meaning in honoring a man who dedicated his life to spreading the Christian faith to the people of Ireland. It is also an occasion to organize fundraising activities and support charitable organizations to help those in need.
One of the distinctive features of St. Patrick’s Day is the sense of unity and pride among the Irish people. This day is considered an opportunity for people of Irish descent to celebrate their heritage and culture and share the joy of the festival in a festive and exciting atmosphere.
In addition, St. Patrick’s Day has also become an opportunity for the world to learn about and appreciate the culture and history of Ireland. Activities and events related to the festival are organized all over the world, attracting many tourists to participate.
However, it is important to note that with the development of the festival, issues related to safety and ethics have also been raised. Many people often drink excessively and cause accidents or conflicts. Therefore, participating in the festival should be done responsibly and with caution.
Overall, St. Patrick’s Day is an occasion to honor an important figure in Irish history, as well as to connect and unite those who love the culture and traditions of this country. It is also an opportunity to educate and share ethical values with the community.
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated not only in Ireland but also around the world, particularly in communities of Irish people and those of Irish descent in other countries. This day is often marked with fun and colorful activities, such as welcoming tourists, parades, games, and artistic events, especially those related to the traditional color of green, which is significant to the Irish people.
In summary, St. Patrick’s Day is an important holiday to commemorate the culture and traditions of the Irish people, and it is an occasion for Irish people and those who love this country to gather, have fun, and welcome the new spring season.
LEPRECHAUN Leprechauns are one of the legendary figures of Ireland. They are described as tiny, fairy-like creatures standing about 30 cm tall, living in the forests and meadows of the Emerald Isle.
Leprechauns are believed to have a rather peculiar personality, being quite cantankerous and protective of their treasures. They are often depicted wearing fur coats, leather shoes, and a hat made of shamrocks, and always carrying a pouch of gold coins. If someone happens to catch a Leprechaun, they must promise to release them, in order to avoid the curse of these mischievous creatures.
According to legend, Leprechauns are masterful at forging gold coins, and they have kept the secret of this craft for centuries. Some people believe that if you find a Leprechaun and demand their gold coins, you will be cursed forever.
Leprechauns are also known as a symbol of Ireland’s Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. On this day, it is believed that if you wear a green outfit and find a Leprechaun, you will have good luck for the entire year.
The legends of Leprechauns have been around for centuries, passed down through generations. Their stories have become an integral part of Irish folklore and have been incorporated into many works of literature and film.
Although there is no scientific evidence to prove the existence of Leprechauns, they remain an important part of Ireland’s tradition and culture. They are considered to be part of a world of imagination, where mystical and magical creatures can exist and survive to this day.
The shamrock The shamrock plant is commonly found in grasslands and forests throughout Europe. It is called “shamrock” because the word originates from the Gaelic language “seamróg,” meaning “little clover.” The leaves of the shamrock are very similar to those of other clover plants, but the shamrock has three leaves instead of the typical four.
The shamrock has become an essential part of Irish culture because of its special importance in the country’s history and traditions. According to legend, the explorer St. Patrick used the shamrock plant to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the people of Ireland. He believed that the three leaves of the shamrock represented the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that they were combined to create a unified entity.
Today, the shamrock remains a beloved symbol of Ireland and is often used to represent the country and its culture. It is a reminder of the country’s rich history and traditions and serves as a unifying symbol for the Irish people around the world.
From there, the shamrock has become a symbol of unity and harmony in Irish culture. It is also widely used in traditional festivals and ceremonies of the country, especially on St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th each year. On this day, Irish people wear a shamrock on their chest and use it as part of their traditional attire.
Additionally, the shamrock plant is also used in traditional Irish medicine as a medicinal herb. Researchers have found that shamrock contains a compound called oxalic acid, which can help reduce pain and heal wounds. It is also used to treat liver and digestive disorders.
In summary, the shamrock is an important symbol of the culture and history of Ireland, representing unity and harmony in the country. It is not only used on St. Patrick’s Day but also in many other traditional activities and events of the country.
Since then, the shamrock has become a symbol of unity and harmony in Irish culture. It is widely used in festivals and traditional ceremonies of the country, especially on St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th each year. On this day, Irish people wear a shamrock on their chest and use it as part of their traditional clothing.
Furthermore, the shamrock plant is also used in traditional Irish medicine as a remedy for various ailments. Researchers have found that shamrocks contain a compound called oxalic acid, which can help relieve pain and heal wounds. It is also used to treat liver and digestive disorders.
In summary, the shamrock is an important symbol of Irish culture and history, representing unity and harmony in the country. It is not only used on St. Patrick’s Day but also in many other traditional activities and events of the country.
Turkey In nature, the turkey is not only an extremely valuable and worth-protecting species, but also plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance and biodiversity of wide-leaved forests. Protecting and developing their population will bring great benefits to the environment, economy, and culture, and is one of the first steps towards ensuring sustainable development of the Earth.
In the Thanksgiving celebration in America, turkey is one of the traditional dishes cooked to share and honor the good things in life. However, turkey has a deeper meaning for Americans.
According to a legend, in 1621, the first English immigrants to America and the Wampanoag natives organized a feast to thank the best things that the new country brought them. In this feast, the turkey was cooked and became an important dish. Since then, the turkey has become a symbol of gratitude and honor for the good things in life.
However, turkey also holds another meaning for Americans. In the 18th century, representatives of the US government often gave a turkey as a gift to foreign countries as a symbol of peace and friendship between nations. These turkeys were called “National Thanksgiving Turkeys,” and since then, turkey has also become a symbol of harmony and peace between nations.
One of the most common uses of turkey is as a symbol and name for schools, sports teams, and military units. The use of the image and name of the turkey in this way shows the important role of this animal in human life.
Additionally, turkey is also a symbol of strength and perseverance in life. These characteristics of the turkey are honored through many stories and legends about this animal. For example, turkeys are often described as persistent and strong animals because of their ability to resist predators and many other challenges in nature.
The turkey is considered an important symbol in many aspects of human life around the world. From being a familiar dish to its role in various fields, the turkey always has a presence and makes an impression on people. The values that the turkey represents are gratitude, peace, friendship, strength, and perseverance – all valuable values ​​in human life. Honoring the turkey is a way for us to remember those values ​​and appreciate important things in life.
Turkeys also play an important role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance in nature. Scientists have shown that turkeys play an important role in maintaining ecological balance in areas with large forest cover. Turkeys can eat harmful insects such as ants, grasshoppers, butterflies, and scorpions, helping to control their population and protect the forest from their negative effects.
In addition, turkeys can disperse plant seeds through their food. When turkeys eat fruits, they digest the meat and excrete the seeds. These seeds can then be transported to other locations in the forest and grow into new trees, contributing to the development of that forest area.
4 notes · View notes