We have already discussed how the cross represents Christs Second Coming, of which His transfiguration is a foretaste. Hence we find below the cross also the Latin words, Salus Mundi, the salvation of the world. Below, in the apse mosaic: Saint Apollinaris praying for the faithful (twelve lambs). Is this precise number significant? The Lords Second Coming will establish His Kingdom without end. For the sake of completeness we can mention the date palms that stand either side of the apse. It was erected by the Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel during the first quarter of the 6th century (as attested to in the Liber Pontificalis ). Such is the sixth century apse mosaic at the basilica of Saint Apollinare in Classe, five miles from Ravenna, Italy. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus. Or to use another analogy, as spiritual gardeners we are to cultivate the wild and wonderful world into a garden. an evening sacrifice of praise, So the garden of Eden becomes paradise. desire to understand more about the The Journal presents these Detail. Abraham is also priestly, ready even to offer his own son on the altar. In this article I would like to discuss some of these layers. So we are now in a place to gather together all these connotations of the term paradise and relate them to our mosaic. Mosaic. Christs parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:10-14) speaks of the shepherd leaving ninety-nine of his flock to find the one lost sheep. that would have been right next to this church. Melchizedeks garment is identical to those worn by high priests Aaron in the third century fresco at Dura-Europos and Caiaphas in the sixth century mosaic in nearby SantApollinare Nuovo. [1] Saint Irenaeus, quoted in Man and the Incarnation: A Study in The Biblical Theology of Irenaeus by Gustaf Wingren. Perhaps this is the meaning of the ciborium held by the emperors attendant. The number eight arises again in this context, linking the Abrahamic covenant with the Transfiguration and Resurrection: God commands the Israelites to circumcise all their males eight days after their birth (17:12). They are angelic warriors sent to war against demonic enemies and protect the world and the Church. I so enjoyed reading this article and found it not only educational but spiritually moving. In the centre is Christ in a medallion. Mosaics, Sant'Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna, 6th century. Santa Maria Maggiore. But bees also represent communal transformative labour, since the work of the hive changes nectar into honey. Above that are smaller These figures hold books and scrolls. The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes mosaic located at the top register of the nave wall of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy was made circa 504 AD. Why, we might ask, is Christ depicted so small, and in the midst of a great cross instead of in His shining garments? These and other anomalies immediately invite us on a journey to try and discover their meaning. And finally, the walls of the whole basilica would have been another level of enclosure since originally the basilica would probably have been full of mosaic, thus making all its interior like a garden. The priesthood and regal role of Saint Apollinare depicted below is a participation in the priesthood and kingship of the Archpriest and King of kings depicted above. Seen from the outside, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo is architecturally quite simple. The evangelists summarize the whole work of Christ about which they wrote, from His birth through to His Ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Because this image is so multivalenced I think the simplest approach is to work verse by verse through Lukes description of the Transfiguration and see how the mosaic interprets his words. They reflect the dominant role that mosaics had assumed in the churches of the . figures that we see down the center of the nave, on one side male, on So this hymn traces the stages from God-given nectar, to the work bees transforming nectar into honey and wax, followed by mans work to change the wax into candle. This is in fact an amalgamation of two mosaics from nearby San Vitale, and was probably made around 670, at the same time as the mosaic on the opposite wall that depicts Constantine IV (668-685). If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked. Place a check (V)(\boldsymbol{V})(V) in the blank next to each sentence that uses capitalization correctly. It is enacted in the Holy Liturgy that is performed within its embrace, for the mosaic is after all in an apse and therefore surrounds the sanctuary and Holy Table. Why the stars, and why are the clouds coloured? Lukes mention of eight days is a further affirmation of this interpretation. They represent Peter, James and John whom Christ took onto mount Tabor to witness His transformation. emperor in Constantinople sent his general to get But our mosaic gives no indication of such a mountain. This is an appropriate scene, both because of the Holy Liturgy that is celebrated in front of it and because of our mosaics priestly and regal theme. I think there are few examples of liturgical art that embody such a wide spectrum of Christs work as this mosaic at SantApollinare in Classe. The mosaic gives us adumbrations of this cosmic transfiguration. my blood, and remember me. And Bishop Apollinare was not present in the Transfiguration, so why does he figure so large in the depiction? Sponsored. Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Every ministry that Bishops, priests and lay possess is in fact a participation in Christs ministry. But I would suggest that Saint Apollinare, as well as being an individual person, a bishop and a saint, also represents the whole Church in her Eucharistic fullness, giving thanks for and offering all creation. Before this apse the faithful participate in the divine feast and are themselves transfigured into the body of Christ. To this paradise add animals, trees, birds, and a saint. As we have discussed, our mosaic concentrates on the purpose of events in Christs life, and not just the events themselves. The mosaic gives us adumbrations of this cosmic transfiguration. As Metropolitan Kallistos Ware has written, One is priest (Christ); some are priests (the ordained clergy); all are priests (the laity). Global shipping available. The some who stand here are Peter, James and John. They delight the beholder immediately but at the same time possess layer upon layer of meaning, which reveal themselves only to the patient. This is the same principle He applies when He tells the disciples that He must depart this world so that He can send them the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit dwelling within them and transfiguring them He will be closer than if He were present only in the flesh as a human individual. - [Steven] The goths were Arian and the emperor in We think of Mount Sinai in particular, where Moses met the Lord. But this visual discourse is not merely to be observed. In turn: - Enclosure. and the Christ child surrounded by four angels. And there are still more laid out on the triumphal arch and in the curved apsidal wall below. The gures removed from the two mosaics originally held ideologically . (B) assigned There are in fact ninety-nine stars in our mosaic. Some of the Church Fathers say that Adam and Eve were in fact clothed with light before the fall, and only became naked when they turned from Gods way. This in part explains the special luminosity of our mosaic. For, as St Paul so poetically writes, the Father raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). The Aryans believe that as people grow old, they become a "man of sorrow." These Splendid Mosaics at Basilica Sant'Apollinare Nuovo Will Take Your Breath Away (Ravenna, Italy). Such is the sixth century apse mosaic at the basilica of Saint Apollinare in Classe, five miles from Ravenna, Italy. , Cite this page as: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, "SantApollinare Nuovo, Ravenna," in, Reframing Art History, a new kind of textbook, Guide to AP Art History vol. Abel the shepherd stands to his right and offers a lamb, and Abraham to his left offers his son Isaac. Whom do you seek? Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.. $4.95 + $4.65 shipping. In this case, He has become the Gardener in Eden. And there is something about this mosaic that gives a sense of completion, wholeness, permanence. His hands are raised in the orans gesture. The Church can prophetically oppose a secular power that acts contrary to Gods commandments, but it can also accept material assistance from it if this genuinely aids the Churchs spiritual work and benefits peoples lives. This theme of priestly offering is further developed by our mosaic, but we shall discuss this a bit later. There is some iconography that can only be described as miraculous. The mosaic was made with thousands of little colored pieces of glass and put together. Bishop Apollinare is celebrating the liturgy. So the garden around Apollinare is the outcome of love and craft, and of God and man working together in synergy. So as well as depicting Apollinare as a celebrating bishop, our mosaic also suggests his and by extension, our role as acting role as kings and queens within the world. The shrubs, rocks and flowering plants are likewise arranged, with a perfect imperfection. The Basilica of SantApollinare Nuovo was also erected by Theuderic. Above him is a great golden cross set within in an orb of star speckled blue. And the wonderful thing is that this mosaic depicts not just the event, but also the meaning of the event its many meanings. Thirdly, on the verticals of the triumphal arch either side of the apse are depicted Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Our God-given power within the world is, I think, best understood in an artistic sense rather than exploitative. 21:23). The secret to this mosaic lies in the fact that it depicts not merely the past, but also the present and the future. The mosaic aims to encompass not just the beginning but also the end, the fulfilment of Gods work of salvation in Christ. Mastering all the usages of 'Greek cross' from sentence examples published by news publications. SPEAKER 2: What we do have is an extraordinary apse mosaic. Once senses an affirmation of St Pauls (and St Gregory of Nyssas) assurances that even in eternity we shall continue to grow in His likeness, passing from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). But this visual discourse is not merely to be observed. He also wears also a simple crown to denote his regal status as king of Salem. art history and theory. Our mosaic concentrates not so much on the event as on its outcome, its purpose. Photo by Steven Zucker. the other side female, replaced the mosaics created On the left side are the secular authorities: the emperor and his brothers Heraclius and Tiberius, with a fourth figure holding a ciborium. God the Father ought not be depicted, for He was not incarnate. Our mosaic develops this theme of priestly offering still further, but we shall discuss this a bit later. - [Steven] Their outfits are spectacular. Please check your email for further instructions. (jazzy piano music) - [Steven] We're in It is in fact a depiction of the Transfiguration of Christ, as described in the Gospel accounts of Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8 and, most fully, in Luke 9:28-36. And above the cross is the Greek word for fish, , the famous acrostic formed by the initials of five Greek words meaning Jesus Christ, Son of God, the Saviour. The Church is a priestly being, whose calling is to give thanks for all creation and to offer it to the Creator. Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.. the capital city had been moved to Ravenna, bearded man with gold halo, cross [symbol of martyrdom], book; striped tunic [dalmatica] worn by deacons and bishops, mantle [pallium] conferred on bishop by Pope; cupboard with gospel books; metal grille w/fire, because Lawrence was grilled alive, Christ is a beardless youth, long hair, halo; holding cross in one hand, feeding lamb; in gold and purple as an imperial figure; pose reflects both Christian and classical (Orpheus) imagery, style of mosaics (Mausoleum of Galla Placidia), Late Antique Roman; impressionistic, illusionistic; floor, space, depth, perspective, small; dark blue background; 567 8-pointed stars in concentric circles; gold cross, arms pointing eastward, seven stars (of the Apocalypse or planets), four symbols of the Evangelists, shaped like a pinecone, sign of immortality. 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