Posted on 08/16/2006 7:22:39 PM PDT by ELS
Thank you for posting those images. They are beautiful.
If you haven't visited Ravenna, yet, you might want to add it to your itinerary. Ravenna was the Italian seat of Byzantium and has quite a collection of Byzantine art. Most notable are the basilicas of San Vitale and Sant'Apollinare in Classe.
A virtual tour of Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe
Another place I want to see. My wife says I'm fixated on Greece! :) But you know, the call of the blood is strong!
The links to the church interiors are appreciated. Byzantine church architecture and decoration contribute mightily, especially when coupled with the Divine Liturgy of +John Chrysostomos, to an other worldly sense in worshippers. As +Vladimir's envoys to Constantinople reported when they returned to Kiev, "We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth!" My belief is that this experience is what lies at the base of the Orthodox conviction of the timelessness of the Faith as Holy Tradition has given it to us, both in theology and praxis.
I can definitely relate to that given that I am 3/4 Italian and have lived in Italy. There is a very strong pull.
The mosaics at Ravenna are some of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Ravenna, in fact, is a remarkable place, with its connection with Dante, the beautiful church that is now mostly underwater, etc...and the great food, for those more earthly minded among us.
multimedia interaction/participation ... what is old is new, again.
Absolutely correct. Pope Pius did not wish to dogmatize either position, but kept the definition neutral out of deference to both traditions.
"Also if she were without original sin; than she would neither want nor need Christ's redemption in any form."
Correct. If she lived a sinless life, she would not need Christ, yet she called Him Savior. The whole idea doesn't square with Scripture.
The person who pulls you out of the way of a speeding car before you are hit would be no less your savior than the doctor who performs the life saving surgery on you had that person not been there.
Yes, Ravenna is definitely on our "to visit" list next time we're in Italy.
And the point is?
The point is, of course Our Lord is Mary's savior.
Well, on that we can agree :)
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