Posted on 06/02/2015 10:51:35 AM PDT by Red Badger
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Mysterious Red Mark Beneath Painting of Crucified Christ at Newport Church Leads Pastor to Speculate on Jesus' Presence
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Mysterious red stain beneath painting of Jesus at St. John the Evangelist Church in Newport leads to speculation of holy presence in May 2015.
A narrow red stain that has remained for years beneath a painting of a crucified Christ at the Saint John the Evangelist church in Newport, Rhode Island, has led the church's pastor to speculate on its possible meaning and the presence of Jesus.
Providence Journal reported on Monday that the 140-year-old Episcopal church has recently been attracting attention for the strange rust-colored stain, which in the right light appears to be coming directly from Jesus' crucified feet from the 12th Station of the Cross painting.
The mark has been there for years, but the church's leadership has resisted trying to turn it into a "roadside curiosity."
The Rev. Nathan J.A. Humphrey spoke out about the mark in a sermon on Sunday, however, and said that he could not help but speculate on what it could mean.
"For myself, I find that in leading the Stations of the Cross ... when I get to the 12th Station, I can't help but contemplate the meaning of the mysterious red mark below it," Humphrey told the congregation. "I stop, look, pray, and listen. And when I do, what I always hear is, 'Pay attention. I am here.' Jesus is here."
Humphrey added, according to ABC 6 News, that it can't be denied that the mark is bringing some people to Jesus' presence in a way that other things do not.
It is not known exactly when the mark first appeared, but some parishioners claim to have seen it more than 20 years ago. Saint John the Evangelist church's Stations of the Cross paintings were made in Belgium, painted on tin and framed in wood, and given to the church nearly a century ago.
"It's almost as if God is saying there is something to pay attention to in this church," Humphrey said.
The pastor clarified that he will not be selling tickets and turning the mark into an attraction, but said that he invites anyone who wants to view the painting to come to the church and do so, and make up their own mind about any possible meaning.
"I'm not about to put up velvet ropes and sell tickets," Humphrey said. "But whether one scoffs or not, for those of faith, it is a sign Jesus is present."
(Photo: ABC 6 News video screencap)
Mysterious red stain beneath painting of Jesus at St. John the Evangelist Church in Newport leads to speculation of holy presence in May 2015.
I speculate that the roof is leaking.................
Or humidity over the years caused the nail holding the painting is rusting away.
I speculate that there are several stains on that wall....just to the right of the painting near the gray object
Id like to see an image of the wall, behind the painting ,..before making any further speculations.
Not quite Jesus’ image on a piece of toast, but going that direction.
Let’s not get carried away here. Sometimes a stain is just a stain.
A little KILZ and the problem goes away................
Yes - your picture-hanging nail hit a cold-water pipe.
Or humity is causing the painting hangers to rust and run down the wall.
One time I was in someone’s kitchen that was so hot and humid that it was actually raining in the kitchen pantry with drops of water dripping from the light bulb.
.or that thing over the pic is made of iron and it’s rusting .................
I'd like to see that, too.
God is saying FIX THE ROOF!..............
Not necessarily. I’ve seen woodwork that leaked some sort of rusty stain painted over and over and over with KILZ, the stain still came through.
Latex or oil base? ...............
Just folks looking for miracles one way or other.
Wood was sanded clean. Painted over with KILZ. Stain came through. Painted with KILZ again. Repeated. Stain still keeps coming back.
Well they could do a DNA to see who the father... of the persons blood it is huh??
Im a bit surprised that the rector there has not yet removed the painting from the wall for at least as long as might be necessary to LOOK at the WALL.
I suspect he prefers to speculate as to the origin of the stain.
better to be sure...I think God might prefer that method pf handling the whole “affair”
LOL I see we’re going to have a theological spat between the First Church of Jesus & Sons Roofers vs the Reformed Plumbers Brethren, Boise Synod
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