Posted on 07/10/2016 5:35:04 AM PDT by marshmallow
Restorers, after clearing away centuries of dirt, discovered the Church of the Nativity had a seventh mosaic
An Italian team has completed restoration of Crusader-era mosaics in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
The mosaics will only be unveiled publicly after work on lighting, electricity and a fire alarm system.
The work involved removing the layers of centuries-worth of soot and dirt a result of the smoke of candles lit by pilgrims coming to venerate the site traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus from about 1.55 million tiny mosaic pieces that were reviewed and restored.
I think all the churches want to save this church because here Jesus was born, said Giammarco Piacenti, CEO of Piacenti Restoration Centre, which began work on the church starting with the rotting wooden roof in April 2013. It is important for all Christianity. For my professional life, this occasion is incredible.
Only 1,400 square feet of mosaics remain from the original 21,528 square feet that adorned the wall, he noted. The others were destroyed by rain leaking through the roof, he said.
Made of stone, mother of pearl, and glass and gold leaf, the mosaics portray different scenes in the life of Jesus and the church, including the disbelief of Thomas, the Assumption and Jesus entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey.
Piacenti said the mosaic of the disbelief of Thomas shows the date of 1155 and the names Ephraim and Basilius, presumably artisans who created the work. Some pieces of the mosaics remain missing and will not be replaced, he said, based on the theory of restoration that there should be a minimum of intervention on any piece. Really, it is only conservation, he said.
One special moment came when restorers cleared away plaster from the wall bordering.....
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicherald.co.uk ...
The islamites will probably destroy it next week.
Do muslims find it offensive?
Very pretty.
“Both Islam and Judaism prohibit graven human images.” But only Islam tells its followers to destroy them.
The painting of that guy in the middle looks so modern and lifelike :)
Still have some relatives over there. They say the danger is palpable.
Italy will Explode if the Vatican is attacked.
Not going to happen. They need the pilgrims and the money.
PING
The Christian faith as well because the Holy Bible has both the OT and the NT.
They are beautiful.
God bless these devoted artisans as they help restore that ancient church.
When I visited in 1984, these mosaics were not visible. They are a treasure!
Good thing they didn't get that Spanish lady to restore it like she did this mural.
An Italian team has completed restoration of Crusader-era mosaics in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
bump
Church of the Nativitys Face-Lift Reveals Ancient Treasures
The National Catholic Register | Michele Chabin
Posted on 06/17/2016 8:30:08 AM PDT by marshmallow
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3441186/posts
They’re beautiful!
well actually I think Judaism also tells its followers to destroy them. Nearly all nowadays take that as telling you to destroy images if your people start worshipping them
Eleutheria, jonty -- what does modern day orthodox Judaism say about this?
If I have any graven images that are worshiped in my possession, I would destroy them. But I’m not vandalizing any churches.
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