Another Paul - Discovery of 6th Century Image of the Apostle in Catacombs of St. Gennaro in Naples

Vatican News ^ | 6/29/11

[marshmallow]

A year after the discovery of the cell of the apostles in the Roman catacombs of St. Tecla, another sensational discovery has been found in the catacombs of St. Gennaro in Naples. The restoration of an arcosolium has revealed a great figure of St. Paul who is turned towards one of the deceased in acclamation.

The image, which is from the first years of the 6th century, is one of the most intense of late antiquity, before the Apostle became an icon of Byzantine civilization.The fresco found in Naples His face, extremely expressive and characterized by the particular physiognomy of a philosopher, is similar to the Roman representations of the same period and those brought to light a few years ago in the oratory of the grottos in Ephesus.

The discovery of this Pauline image, which occurred during the restorations organized by the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archeology, with the support of the Archdiocese and the Neapolitan community, enriches and defines our understanding of the iconographic evolution of the prince of the apostles, begun in Rome at the end of the 4th century and diffused from that moment in all of the ancient Christian world.

In this context, the figure of Paul represents iconographically the evocative crossroads of Jewish, Roman and Greek culture and identity which he incarnated and which characterized his work and missionary activity in all of the Mediterranean. This particular combination must have influenced the figurative fortune of the Apostle in the Neapolitan metropolis, which was proverbially multiethnic and which he experienced in the final trip which led him to the capital for prison and his last days.

[ClaudiusI]

I thought this was going to be about Rand’s brother. :D

[ken21]

mark.

[Fester Chugabrew]

“If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.”

[goldfinch]

bump for later

[bibletruth]

Fantastic Apostle Paul Byzantine icon/image discovery. I have been reading Byzantine Theology book on historical trends and doctrinal themes (John Meyendorff). Apostle Paul ministry to the un-circumcision (Gentiles) as we read in Galatians:

Galatians 2:6: But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

Galatians 2:7: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

Galatians 2:8: For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me (e.g., Paul) toward the Gentiles:

Galatians 2:9: And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

No denying God's Word in Galatians 2:7-8; Paul was definitely called by GOD Almighty to be mighty toward the Gentiles (un-circumcision). And praise GOD Almighty that HE wrought effectually in Peter as the apostle of the circumcision (Jews).