When Thou hadst fulfilled for us Thy dispensation, and united the things in earth with the things in Heaven, Thou, O Christ our God, didst ascend into glory, in no wise being parted from those that love Thee, but Thou didst remain with them inseparably and proclaim to them: I am with you no one is against you.— Kontakion (Byzantine hymn) for the Ascension, by Roman the Melodist, 6th Century
So many treasures in this post. I love a good Byzantine hymn. Every line sledgehammers you with theology. Also that final excerpt from Benedict's sermon is so beautiful. I need to read more of him.
These early images you share bespeak a holy imagination, respect, profundity, mystery, learning, restraint. But the 17thc naked flying Jesus? Horrors! I can’t look at them. Today everyone’s favorite image of Our Divine Lord and Savior is a slope-shouldered hippie-guy, totally sentimentalized.
There are some scenes that the Barouque style does a good job with, but the ascension is not one of them! The style did devolve into sentimentality very quickly.
Great images, thanks. I noticed in the preface this morning it says "ascended into heaven, to make us partakers of his divinity" which is the true message of the Ascension. It is such a deep feast, with multiple layers.
Really a full treatment of the Ascension, Amelia. And the pigments in that page from the Bury Bible -- wow! I will always be amazed by the intensity of such colors achieved in that period.
"Joined together, the two halves of the image help us to see Christ as the head of the Church. Although it is an image of separation in some ways, it is also an image of the unity of the Church."
I find myself especially moved by the idea of the image expressing unity in addition to separation.
So many treasures in this post. I love a good Byzantine hymn. Every line sledgehammers you with theology. Also that final excerpt from Benedict's sermon is so beautiful. I need to read more of him.
These early images you share bespeak a holy imagination, respect, profundity, mystery, learning, restraint. But the 17thc naked flying Jesus? Horrors! I can’t look at them. Today everyone’s favorite image of Our Divine Lord and Savior is a slope-shouldered hippie-guy, totally sentimentalized.
Sorry to gripe.
Thank you for writing about true beauty.
Thank you Susan!
There are some scenes that the Barouque style does a good job with, but the ascension is not one of them! The style did devolve into sentimentality very quickly.
Great images, thanks. I noticed in the preface this morning it says "ascended into heaven, to make us partakers of his divinity" which is the true message of the Ascension. It is such a deep feast, with multiple layers.
It is amazing how beautiful and succinct that line from the preface is.
Again, Thanx 4 the Footnotes
Some great homilies on the ascension by Church Fathers.
Really a full treatment of the Ascension, Amelia. And the pigments in that page from the Bury Bible -- wow! I will always be amazed by the intensity of such colors achieved in that period.
Thank you very much! There is so much to say about the Ascension. It was hard to be succinct. I do love the Bury Bible.
"Joined together, the two halves of the image help us to see Christ as the head of the Church. Although it is an image of separation in some ways, it is also an image of the unity of the Church."
I find myself especially moved by the idea of the image expressing unity in addition to separation.
So much richness to ponder here. Thank you.