In terms of traditions, the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church developed separately due to the rift following the fall of the Roman Empire which paved the way to the Dark Ages. But even then, there had always been disparities in customs, especially those which pertain to the vestments they wear.
You may already be familiar with the liturgical vestments worn by members of the clergy in the west, but you probably don’t have any idea on the components of Eastern vestments. That’s why we’re going to take a look into the different articles of clothing worn by the clergy of the Eastern rite.
An Eastern pectoral cross.
Image source: Photobucket
The Eastern clergy wear a pectoral cross around their necks. The name pectoral comes from the Latin pectoralis which means “of the chest” where the cross rests. Although the pectoral cross is worn by all bishops, it is not necessary for priests to do so.
An Eastern pectoral cross includes an image of a crucified Christ which may either be painted or in relief. Inscribed above the head of Christ are the initials INBI which stands for Iesous o Nazoraios o Basileus ton Ioudaion, which in English means “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” The letters IC XC NIKA—common in Eastern iconography which means "Jesus Christ Conquers"—are also inscribed around the cross’s four arms.
The crosses may either be in silver or gold. A silver pectoral cross is given to a priest upon his ordination while a gold one is given to an archpriest to signify his position.
A sticharion.
Image source: GoPix
A sticharion is comparable to a Roman Catholic alb and is worn by all ordained ministers. Sticharions worn by priests are made from lustrous fabrics and may come in stark white or gold. They usually aren’t adorned. For deacons, sticharions are considered outer vestments. That is why they are composed of elaborate embroidery and color palettes reflecting the color of the day.
A pair of epimanikias.
Image source: Wikipedia
Epimanikias are cuffs which are attached to the sleeves of the sticharion. Brocade is commonly used in crafting epimankias as the cloth needs to be thick. In most cases, crosses are embroidered at the center along with flowing patterns.
An epitrachelion on display.
Image source: Holy Trinity Cathedral
An epitrachelion is the Eastern version of the Roman Catholic stole. It is fundamentally worn around the neck with its two adjacent sides buttoned together. Like the epimanikia, epitrachelions are made from finely-woven brocade and has several crosses embroidered on the fabric. As Catholic priests don stoles during the Mass, Orthodox priests wear epitrachelions during the Divine Liturgy.
A zone fastening the sticharion and the epitrachelion.
Image source: Orthodox Wiki
A zone is a cloth belt used to fasten the sticharion and the epitrachelion together. As with the other pieces, it is made from thick brocade with an appliquéd cross in the center. A zone usually matches the color of the epitrachelion. It also signifies the strength of Divine Power bestowed upon the priest.
A phelonion on display.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
A phelonion resembles a poncho, worn over a priest’s sticharion. The front is cut away to aid in the priest’s movement. The Roman Catholic equivalent of a phelonion is the priestly chasuble. It is adorned with embroidery of multiple cross, a pattern known as polystavrion.
Metropolitan Seraphim of Pireaus wearing a miter.
Image source: Mode of Life
Unlike in the Western Church, Eastern miters are worn by certain members of the clergy—including priests—as part of their ceremonial dress. Typical materials used to craft and decorate miters are brocade and damask. Golden cloth may also be used. Miters may be embroidered with golden flowers and decorated with jewels. Up front at the center are icons either of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, or Mary the Theotokos.
As you can see, different traditions create diversity, especially when it comes to vestments. Nonetheless, the many distinctions allow us to appreciate the beauty in both the Eastern and Western ways.
References:
]]>The Gothic movement started in France during the 12th century, when King Louis IX, a patron of arts, commissioned its spread throughout his kingdom. Visitors would flock France and marvel at the wondrous architectural pieces of work. From there, they would mimic such architecture and incorporate Gothic structures in their home countries.
Below are common features of Gothic structures:
Pointed arches
Image source: Flickr
Although primarily influenced by Teutonic culture, pointed arches were inspired by Persian architecture, as brought by the crusaders from the Middle-East. Pointed arches were notable in Europe since architects agreed that they were stronger.
Additionally, pointed arches helped Gothic churches attain their trademark height, as they allowed structures to be thinner, helping architects save money and add in more weight!
High towers, spires, and roofs
Image source: Wikipedia
Towers, spires, and roofs appeared to be soaring, almost piercing the skies. This adds to the grandeur of Gothic churches, as they were made for churchgoers to look up.
Improved lighting
Contrary to popular belief, Gothic churches were actually well-lit and weren’t gloomy on the inside. Windows and openings were strategically placed so that sunlight would enter and illuminate the whole church as efficiently as possible during that time.
Stained glass
Image source: Cultural Travel Guide
Stained glass images are very notable in Gothic churches. Images of Biblical figures, saints, and their deeds are often depicted in ornate and colorful stained glass illustrations. Stained glass images were important elements in Gothic art.
Flying buttresses
Image source: Awesome Stories
Gothic buttresses soared high and were almost as tall as the structure itself. Apparently, the higher structures get, the more support they need. Flying buttresses were not only designed to hold the whole build up per se, but to also support the roofs.
Ribbed vault
Image source: JennyMerr.wordpress.com
Although ribbed vaults can be found in Romanesque churches, Gothic structure featured stone ribs, which allows for more support. Arches of vaults were also pointed for the same reason that they would strengthen the structure—in this case, the ceilings.
Chartres Cathedral, France (1220 AD)
Image source: Wikipedia
Milan Cathedral, Italy (1386 AD)
Image source: Wikipedia
Reims Cathedral, France (1275 AD)
Image source: Touropia
Gothic architecture enjoyed its preeminence until the 16th century, where a cultural revolution stirred all throughout Europe. This event, called the Renaissance, was a result of the discovery of “lost” marvels of the ancient world. It also inspired artists and architects to base their works on ancient wonders, seemingly setting aside the Germanic style of Gothic architecture in favor of Greco-Roman aesthetics.
Architecture during the Renaissance era will be discussed in the next entry.
]]>Flip through the pages of a good book this summer! // Photo Source: Conde Nast
Summer is the perfect time to catch up on all the things you’ve been dying to do or have been missing out on during the hectic days of winter and spring. Now that your schedule is more flexible this season, one of the things you should cross off your ‘things to do this summer’ checklist is reading a good book. Sure, there are TV shows and blockbuster movies competing for your attention every summer, but it’s also important to nourish your mind with the written word.
Here are some recommendations for you to savor this summer. Whether you’ll be reading them at the comfort of your own home or bringing them along to your sun-drenched beach vacation, you’ll be spellbound by the stories in the following titles.
My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares
If you need a bit of hyper-romanticism in your summer reading but you need it done in an elegant and measured manner, this love story by Ann Brashares is perfect for you. Combining mystical and fantasy elements in an adroit weaving of past and present timelines, My Name Is Memory traces the immortal romance between two star-crossed lovers. The pair, whose souls transcend time and space, meet in different physical bodies in various historical periods, all the while escaping a dangerous force that threatens to sever their passion permanently. The idea of literal soul mates is a refreshing take for a romantic work of fiction that does not involve supernatural creatures of any sort, and makes for a great summer read.
Daytripper by Fábio Moon + Gabriel Bá
What better way to elevate your summer reading than by visualizing the story on the pages? Graphic novels might have the reputation of only appealing to niche audiences, but this incredible work by Brazilian twins Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá is something that everyone should read. The central conceit of Daytripper is anything but ordinary: a man lives key chapters of his life, only to die at the end of that moment and proceed with the next chapter of the story and repeat the process. The universal themes of life, death, rebirth, spirituality, family bonds, friendship, and love are expertly blended in this extraordinary graphic novel to showcase a fantastic personal journey augmented by vibrant and dynamic visuals.
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Fans of the critically acclaimed novels The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns will rejoice at author Khaled Hosseini’s newest offering. Those who prefer some gut-wrenching drama on their summer reading list won’t be disappointed with And the Mountains Echoed. Hosseini once again plays on his cultural strengths by setting his story in Afghanistan and focusing on the deeply emotional struggles of a new family, which parallels his two previous books. This time around, the story concerns a father selling his youngest daughter to a childless couple, and is presented in chapters as seen through the eyes of various characters as opposed to just one protagonist. Soulful, complex, and awash with the human element, this is a book worth your reading time this summer.
The Beach by Alex Garland
Your summer reading obviously won’t be complete if you don’t have a book with a season-appropriate setting, and Alex Garland’s seminal debut novel is just the thing you need to spice up your list of must-read books. However, don’t be deceived by the innocent title of the novel; it packs a brilliant punch filled with just the right amount of suspense, darkness, and chills—a literary tonic sure to invigorate you from the sultry weather. Focusing on the journeys of a curious traveler and encountering a secret society of globetrotters hidden in the titular location, The Beach draws heavy influences from classic works by William Golding (Lord of the Flies) and Aldous Huxley (Island). Brutal, hypnotic, and utterly transportive, this is a book you’d want to read every summer from here on out.
]]>Last month, Pope Francis made a pilgrimage visit to the Holy Land and was inspired to encourage talks between Israel and Palestine by hosting a peace summit at the Vatican and extending the invitation to political leaders of the two opposing nations. Conflicts between Palestine and Israel have long been a sore subject for the citizens in both territories, and Pope Francis was compelled to help bring peace through an amiable meeting on neutral ground. Fortunately, the pontiff received an immediate and positive response when the presidents of the Holy Land accepted the pope’s offer.
All eyes were on Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas—the presidents of Israel and Palestine, respectively—as the two leaders converged at Vatican City on June 8 2014. They met with Pope Francis to commence the pontiff’s arranged summit and discuss crucial matters that would help progress the peace process of the two Middle Eastern nations. Also in attendance were several prominent religious leaders from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths, all of whom were in full support of the pope’s call to action not just for harmony between Israel and Palestine, but for global peace. This also marks the very first time an inter-religious event was held at the Vatican in conjunction with a political assembly.
Given that the guests in attendance came from different religious backgrounds, Pope Francis made sure to hold the summit within the tranquil Vatican gardens, a location within the holy city that bears no distinct religious symbols, to emphasize the element of neutrality. Overall, the meeting proved to be helpful as part of the continuing efforts to end the cultural and political issues separating Israel and Palestine, as both Peres and Abbas gave similar statements on wanting accord between their respective countries.
]]>Last month, we featured some well-known maternal figures from the Bible to commemorate Mother’s Day. This month, we're turning the spotlight on to the famous fathers in the Bible, just in time for Father’s Day. Biblical fathers are central figures for many stories in Scripture, and there is a definite emphasis on their wisdom, faith, and fatherhood, that sets an example for other men. To celebrate the coming of Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June, here are some important paternal icons from the Bible to inspire all the dads out there.
Adam
The first father wasn’t exactly perfect—and nor was the first mother, for that matter—but you got to give credit to Adam for spreading the seeds of humanity and redeeming himself in the eyes of God.
Noah
There was a reason why God chose a committed family man like Noah to be spared from His tempestuous wrath, and He was right in His decision. Noah persevered in the task that was set out for him and gave hope for his family during the flood that wiped out the planet.
Abraham
Hailed as the father of an entire nation, it's no surprise that Abraham is a prominent father figure in the Bible. Despite struggling with the tremendously difficult tests God had thrown upon him, Abraham put faith in His power and proved that he was able to succeed even when the going got rough for him.
Moses
While he did have two biological sons, Moses was best remembered as a father figure to the enslaved Hebrews under Egyptian rule. Tasked by God to bring salvation to his people and deliver them to the Promised Land, Moses stepped up to the task and showed that even the most challenging obstacles can be conquered when one puts his faith in the Almighty.
Joseph
While he may not have fathered Jesus, Joseph was nevertheless an important figure in Christ’s life. Possessing the admirable qualities of humility and a strong work ethic, Joseph took great measures to ensure a decent living for his wife and child, doing his best to keep them safe from harm. It helped that Joseph was the one who taught Jesus the noble art of carpentry, as well.
]]>Make like Pope Francis this summer and go to a sacred place to find your spirituality!
You may have heard about Pope Francis’s recent trip to Israel and Palestine, where he made quite the impression among locals and attempted to bring accord between the two nations by arranging peace talks at the Vatican. And with the arrival of summer, you might want to take a page out of Pope Francis’s book and travel to a destination that has some spiritual or religious significance. It’s always a great idea to take a vacation during summer, and what better way to strengthen your faith and spirituality during this season than to visit a place that is considered sacred ground for many people? In fact, here are some amazing locations around the world that you might want to check out so you can hopefully find your inner peace.
Uluru (Australia)
A sacred sanctuary right smack in the middle of the Australian Outback.
Australia is known for many things such as their beautiful shores and cosmopolitan coastal cities, but there’s more to this nation than meets the eye. Deep in the arid heart of Australia lies a popular tourist destination considered sacred ground by the Aborigines: Uluru. Formerly known as Ayers Rock, this majestic stone formation with its distinct rust-colored palette has been hailed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and still continues to be the site where Aboriginal societies living near the area perform their holy rituals.
Mahabodhi Tree (India)
Perhaps you might achieve enlightenment when you stop by this majestic tree!
In Buddhism, the Bodhi Tree is known as the place where Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment. And it just so happens that there is a temple in India where a direct descendant of the original Bodhi Tree is proudly standing and serving as an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The Mahabodhi Tree is located within the grounds of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India, and is known for sheltering a beautiful statue of Buddha underneath its verdant foliage.
Mount Sinai (Egypt)
A mountain so famous in many religious texts, hospitals are named after it!
Anyone who has ever read the Bible or seen films or TV shows based on biblical stories would be familiar with Mount Sinai. As one of the most well-known locations mentioned in Christian, Jewish and Islamic texts, this place served as the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. Because the mountain is mentioned in various religious faiths, it’s not unusual for visitors to see chapels and a mosque located in the general area of Mount Sinai.
Glastonbury Tor (England)
A mountain so famous in many religious texts, hospitals are named after it!
England has a rich history that extends to places with deep religious or spiritual significance and Glastonbury Tor, located in the pastoral landscape of Somerset, is a great example. With its ancient Celtic roots and eventual role a site for Christian settlers during the early medieval period, Glastonbury Tor serves as an important landmark for the English--it even has ties to myths related to King Arthur!
]]>In what is largely seen as a gesture of goodwill that echoes the globetrotting adventures of John Paul II, Pope Francis visited Israel for the first time and was warmly welcomed by the Israeli government and populace. The pontiff’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land was also marked by an unprecedented move, when he arranged a meeting between the Israeli and Palestinian presidents, set for next month at the Vatican, as a measure to continue talks on creating peace between the two conflicting nations. In response, both parties willingly accepted the pope’s invitation, strengthening Francis’s image as an influential global leader pushing for world peace.
Pope Francis stopped by Bethlehem in Palestine, largely considered the birthplace of Christianity, before heading to Israel, where he safely arrived on May 25, Sunday, and was warmly welcomed by the country’s government officials while being flanked by an honor guard.
But it was the pope’s pit stop in Palestine where Francis expressed words of sympathy and support to the Palestinians. The pope notably visited a refugee camp in Bethlehem, hosting a private lunch with several Palestinian families who disclosed that they were unjustly harmed by Israeli policies.
One of the strongest images from Pope Francis’s visit to Palestine was when the pontiff came to the infamous barrier that separates Palestine from Israel (pictured above). The pope placed his hand on the graffiti-covered wall and gave a short prayer before departing to his next destination in his scheduled itinerary. Additional highlights to the pope’s visit in the Holy Land included a stopover at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher—a sacred place widely believed by many Christians as the place where Jesus Christ was crucified, interred, and raised from the dead.
Overall, Pope Francis’s pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine was intended to not only pay spiritual respects to the birthplace of Christianity, but to also highlight an ongoing conflict between two opposing countries in dire need of a peaceful resolution.
]]>You know you’re dealing with a curiously unorthodox pope when you start finding His Holiness a source of some unexpectedly awesome soundbites. Since his induction as the Vatican’s supreme leader and beacon to millions of faithful Catholics around the world, Pope Francis has charmed and surprised the people with his unconventional views and opinions. Previously, he made his views of homosexuality known when he famously quipped, “Who am I to judge?” Now, Francis is once again making headlines all over the world, but this time around, his views revolve around the extraterrestrial.
Pope Francis has commented earlier this month that he would baptize aliens. No, not the illegal immigrant kind—the kind you expect to see in science fiction. Naturally, the world found itself more than a little flummoxed when His Holiness declared this in one of his homilies, but the pope further clarified his statement on baptizing aliens to emphasize the point that every single living being has “the right to receive the Holy Spirit”. Francis added in a statement according to the AFP: “If tomorrow, for example, an expedition of Martians arrives and some of them come to us … and if one of them says: ‘Me, I want to be baptized!’ what would happen? Who are we to close doors?"
While this may be fodder for theologians, scientists, and conspiracy theorists alike, the pontiff does have a fair point: just about everything is within the realm of possibility, and should beings from other worlds choose to believe in our faith, they should be welcomed accordingly. After all, Jesus Himself has never turned away a single follower during His lifetime, and Pope Francis is simply following Jesus’ lead.
]]>History was officially made in the Catholic Church recently as Pope Francis formally canonized two of his esteemed papal predecessors: John XXIII and John Paul II. As two of the more prominent leaders of the Vatican who wielded great influence within the global Christian populace, it was a momentous occasion for the hundreds of thousands of faithful Christians who gathered at St. Peter’s Square—as well as millions of other devoted Catholics worldwide watching the event on television—to witness the current Holy See declare John XXIII and John Paul II into sainthood.
To commemorate the occasion, Pope Francis went on to utilize the canonization of his predecessors by instilling the theme of unity in his public address. This central element was made even more pronounced when Francis invited former pope, Benedict XVI, to the sacred event. It was the first time that a current and retired pope has celebrated a public Mass throughout the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.
John XXIII is best remembered for convening the Second Vatican Council where he modernized the Catholic Church by having Christians around the world celebrate Mass in their native language as opposed to the traditional Latin, as well as encouraging Christians to positively engage on a social level with people of other religions. John Paul II, meanwhile, rose to popularity by becoming one of the well-traveled popes in history and became an influential international figure not just within the church, but also within global politics.
Pope Francis praised the newly inducted saints in his homily to the gathered crowd in Vatican City by highlighting their immense contributions to the well-being of the church and society. Francis said quote: “They were priests, bishops and popes of the 20th century. They lived through the tragic events of that century, but they were not overwhelmed by them. John XXIII and John Paul II cooperated with the Holy Spirit in renewing and updating the church in keeping with her pristine features, those features which the saints have given her throughout the centuries."
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The season of Christ’s resurrection is the perfect time to do a little personal reinvention of your own. There are several ways you can spruce up the rest of your free time this spring with a few activities that will enrich your mind, body, and soul. Not only will the following ideas help shape your personal growth, but it will also give you an opportunity to give back to the community. And when it comes down to it, such acts are something that Jesus Himself would strongly approve.
Enroll in a supplementary class
Just because you’re done with school doesn’t mean you should stop learning something new every day. Many grown adults are going back to school or taking up special weekly courses in order to learn something they’re interested in. If you have ever thought about wanting to speak in a different language or focusing on improving your cooking skills, now is the perfect time to go back to the classroom and broaden your mind to new and exciting possibilities. The other positive bonus you’ll be getting out of this is that you’ll get to meet like-minded individuals whom you’ll potentially become friends with during the entirety of your extracurricular classes.
Host a massive garage sale
Springtime means spring cleaning, and that ultimately leads to clearing out plenty of stuff in your home that you don’t need any more but that others might still use. Take advantage of this opportunity by gathering everything you want gone after undertaking a thorough job of cleaning your house and sell the items in a garage sale. People are always looking for a good deal on stuff regardless if they are secondhand goods. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. However, if you feel that you don’t need the extra cash from all the spring cleaning leftovers you collected, you could always donate them to a charity house.
Do volunteer work in your community
Put your best foot forward and give back to your community by doing some volunteer work. It is one thing to give your hard-earned money to charity, but it’s another thing entirely to commit your time and presence to a worthy social cause. It’s ideal that you should volunteer for a cause that’s close to your heart so you may be able to work in an environment you can connect with on an emotional level. So if you’re great with kids, why not help out at a nearby orphanage? Or if you happen to be an excellent event planner, you could put your skills to good use by volunteering to organize your church’s fundraiser. Take the initiative and show others that you have what it takes to make a lasting impact.
]]>[image source: sarahs-serendipity.blogspot.com]
You don’t have to wait for Christmas or birthdays to give presents to your loved ones. In fact, you are well within your rights to give gifts to your friends and family during holy holidays like Easter Sunday. Given that this moveable feast signifies the rebirth of Christ and a time of renewal, it’s only fitting that you should get into the spirit of the season by giving thoughtful gifts to the important people in your life. If you are looking to get some ideas on what you should get your loved ones this Easter, here are some great gift ideas for you to try.
Food Hamper
A basket filled to the brim with delicious treats like chocolate eggs and other Easter-themed sweet treats are perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. Although if you want a more healthy approach, you can always customize your food hamper with items that are not only pleasing to the palate, but are also good for one’s body. Food baskets are great when you want to give everyone something special with just one present.
Personal Grooming Kits
Another inspired gift option you could try giving to your friends or family is a box or basket generously packed with their favorite toiletries and grooming products. Easter Sunday means everyone needs to look their very best for mass services, so it makes sense that they would be receptive to some fancy shower products and nourishing skin care stuff to give them that extra special glow when going to church.
Cute Furry Friends
There’s probably no better time to give young kids a chance to take responsibility than by taking care of a new pet. And Easter means that the perfect pet to give is a fluffy and adorable rabbit! Docile, friendly, and relatively low maintenance, rabbits are especially great to have as household pets and kids will surely love the fact that they’ll have an official mascot to gush over whenever there’s an Easter egg hunt.
Fabulous Garments
Clothes are also a sensational gift option for Easter Sunday. And if you happen to have a friend or family member who is an active member of your church as a choir singer or a pastor, you might want to check out the lovely selection we have here at Churchgoers. Our range of robes, gowns, and other church apparel and accessories are just perfect for the devoted churchgoing individual, and will surely make them shine with pride when they will attend mass wearing our comfortable and affordable apparel.
]]>The Easter holiday generally coincides with the arrival of spring. And as I have previously discussed in a couple of my blog posts, there’s no better time for you to spend quality time with your family than during Easter. Shake off the winter doldrums and welcome the coming of spring with your family through these simple yet fun ways to strengthen ties between you and your loved ones.
Hit the road
[image source: fashionandpopculturemagic.blogspot.com]
If you’re limited in your finances and can’t afford a trip abroad, then road trips are definitely a great and inexpensive way to ignite the spirit of adventure within your family. There are plenty of places in the United States that cater to families outside of the typical theme parks and tourist attractions. Be creative when planning your route map so your family will marvel at the unorthodox destinations you have chosen.
Visit your local outdoor market
[image source: pepperminting.com]
Shopping trips with your family can be quite a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be that stressful. Skip the big department stores and go back to basics by driving to a nearby farmer’s market. What’s great about shopping at farmer’s markets is you’re assured your food purchases are clean and free from chemicals. Of course, when you’re preparing a hearty Easter Sunday feast for your family, you want to make sure you get only the freshest ingredients possible. And with the generally laidback environment of a farmer’s market, you and your family will enjoy the luxury of a leisurely shopping experience.
Enjoy the wonders of nature
[image source: little—t.blogspot.com]
The best way to really experience the arrival of spring is going outdoors and seeing all the plants blooming with life after months of winter hibernation. Take simple pleasure in walking through nature trails in a local park or forest and marveling at the beauty of your surroundings. If you want to kill two birds with one stone, you can even host an Easter egg hunt outdoors so that your kids will enjoy looking through flowers, trees, and shrubs while seeking out their colorfully painted treasures.
]]>In one of my previous blog posts, I discussed about various versions of the flood myth from around the world, as well as saying that 2014 was the Year of the Biblical Epic for movies. And things have certainly perked up for the genre with the recent release of “Noah”, a fantastical adaptation of the Old Testament story directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Darren Aronofsky. Previously known for his dark and brooding films that pushes the lead characters to their mental or physical limits ("Requiem For A Dream", "The Wrestler", and "Black Swan"), Aronofsky was deemed as an odd choice to helm a story about a man who built a colossal ark to save a precious few from the wrath of God’s divine deluge. Controversy even surrounded the production of the film and led to speculation that it might not translate into a successful piece of work that audiences would flock to see. But a rush of glowing critical reviews and a strong box office opening quashed any initial fears into the rolling waves.
Domestic box office returns for “Noah” reported a vigorous $44 million opening weekend, aided largely by positive early reviews from professional film critics as well as a show of encouraging support from several Christian organizations such as the American Bible Society, the National Catholic Register, and Focus on the Family, who have responded warmly to the film. Starring Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe in the titular role, the film also co-stars Jennifer Connelly as Noah’s wife, Naameh; Anthony Hopkins as Noah’s grandfather, Methuselah; and Emma Watson as Noah’s stepdaughter, Ila. The star-studded cast certainly brought their A-game to Aronofsky’s film as they adequately portray their Biblical characters with aplomb, with critics praising Crowe’s role as Noah.
While the filmmakers certainly took creative liberties from the source material, Aronofsky and his intrepid team wanted to strike the right balance of being respectful to the origins of the story while creating an interpretation to the tale of Noah without being too carried away with superfluous details. Chief among the film’s strong points was the construction of the iconic ark, the strong dynamics between the characters, and of course, the epic flood that washes away the world as Noah and his family brace themselves within the ark that they have worked hard to build from the ground up.
Thrilling, visceral, and completely magnificent in scale, “Noah” is a definite must-see for the whole family considering that Easter is almost right around the corner! See the trailer below for more information on this amazing film!
]]>When you hear the name ‘Noah’, the first thing that would come to your head is the story of the great flood described in the Bible and how Noah constructed a giant vessel to harbor his family and a massive coterie of animals to survive the deluge brought on by God. Epic flood legends such as these also happen to exist in various cultures outside of Judeo-Christian territories, and the story of Noah happens to be in good company with other mythical torrents outside of biblical folklore. Presented below are some of the most fascinating flood myths from around the world.
Ancient Greece has been a veritable hotbed for fabled tales, and this Mediterranean nation has not one, but three impressive floods that are rooted in their mythology: the floods of Ogyges, Deucalion, and Dardanus. Much like Noah, all of these Grecian deluges were named after the central figures of the respective flood myths. It is said that the Greek Ages of Man ended in floods, such as the flood of Ogyges ended the Silver Age while the deluge of Deucalion ended the First Bronze Age.
You would think that up in the Nordic region of Europe—marked largely by icy weather and tundra terrain—would not have a flood myth to call their own. But that’s where you’re wrong! In Finland, there is a fable about a famous folkloric figure known as Väinämöinen, which was described in several accounts as a Nordic god. In the Finnish flood myth, Väinämöinen made a heroic feat which resulted in a fatal wound and the blood of which covered the whole world.
One of the well-known flood myths in India revolves around the tale of Vaivasvata Manu, who is considered in Hindu mythology as the savior of the great flood. Traditionally, the title of ‘Manu’ is bestowed upon one who is considered to be the progenitor of humanity, and it is the seventh Manu (originally known as Satyavrata from birth but anointed as Vaivasvata Manu upon ascension) who was warned by the god Vishnu to prepare for an oncoming flood that would wash away the entire world by building a boat to house his loved ones and carry necessary supplies to rebuild civilization.
Chinese mythology has what is known as the Gun-Yu Myth, or the Great Flood of China. Unlike other flood tales from Western cultures, the Gun-Yu Myth is essential to Chinese culture as it is a highly extended narrative that ties closely to the histories of the Zhou Dynasty and the Xia Dynasty, as well as providing the main inspiration for several works in classical Chinese poetry. The Great Flood of China has several accounts spanning two generations but common motifs to the story include the origins of the flood stemming from natural causes rather than through divine retribution as punishment for human sin, and a strong emphasis on collaborative efforts by the Chinese population to mitigate the ongoing deluge.
A more whimsical version of a global flood myth can be found in Australian Aboriginal mythology involving a frog known as Tiddalik. The story goes that Tiddalik went and drank all the water due to his unquenchable thirst and life everywhere began to perish because of the absence of replenishing moisture. It was at this point that the other animals conspired with each other to make Tiddalik give back all the water he consumed. This was achieved when an eel called Nabunum made Tiddalik laugh by contorting his body into funny shapes, thus, allowing the water to gush out of Tiddalik’s body and back into the world.
South America is rich with disaster events in its encyclopedia of mythology, and one great example comes from Chile where it involves a battle between two primordial gods in the form of massive serpents. Trentren Vilu is the spirit of the earth and protector of its inhabitants while Caicai Vilu is the spirit of the water and holds dominion over the seas. According to Chilean legend, Caicai Vilu—in the guise of a gigantic snake—invaded the earth and inundated the whole area with water. Trentren Vilu—also in the form of a colossal serpent—arrived immediately to battle with the enemy in order to protect his kingdom. The fight between the two snakes was a protracted one, the victory of which would eventually go to Trentren Vilu.]]>
Easter generally marks the end of the Lenten season for most Christians, and this annual moveable feast happens to be celebrated in different ways in many parts of the world. Typically in the United States, most families and individuals partake in Easter egg hunts and lavish dinner feasts after attending mass services. But how exactly is Easter celebrated outside of American shores? Go beyond the ubiquitous Easter egg and discover how Easter is celebrated around the world!
Don’t expect to be dry and comfortable in Poland once Easter rolls around because you’ll be having fun getting all wet and wild in the spirit of this holy holiday. Known locally as Smigus-Dyngus, this special activity involves people pouring water all over each other, which references the symbolic nature of water as a cleansing element essential to the resurrection of Christ.
While the rest of the world will decorate their eggs during Easter, the French are more practical—and gastronomic—when it comes to celebrating this moveable feast. In the region of Haux, the locals gather thousands of fresh eggs in order to make a giant omelet whereupon the humungous egg dish will be consumed with relish by the townsfolk as a means of gratitude for Christ’s rebirth.
rick-or-treating during springtime? When you’re celebrating Easter in Sweden, that’s definitely a fabulous possibility! A few days before Easter arrives—either Maundy Thursday or Black Saturday—Swedish parents dress up their kids in adorable witch costumes complete with witch props and accessories, and then encourage them to roam around the neighborhood to ask for treats.
Wouldn’t it be so much fun to enjoy your Easter holiday outdoors where there’s wind and sunshine? Well, if you happen to be in Bermuda when Easter is in town, you’ll get to experience their way of celebrating the holiday firsthand! Bermudans generally make an event of Easter by flying kites—which represents Christ’s ascension into Heaven—and feasting on specialty dishes like warm cross-shaped buns and codfish cakes.
You’ve probably heard about that annual tradition in Switzerland where the locals roll large wheels of cheese down the hills for fun. Well, Scotland utilizes their verdant and rolling landscape, as well. Except instead of cheese, the Scots use brightly painted Easter eggs! Easter is an important holy holiday for the Scots, and part of their rather fun gaming traditions is to roll Easter eggs down their steep hillsides and compete to see which egg can roll down the farthest without breaking apart.
The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic nation in Asia, and as such, the locals are deeply entrenched with holy festivals such as Easter. In fact, the Filipinos love to stage grand spectacles during the Lenten season, one of which includes the selection of a small young girl dressed as an angel who is suspended in midair on a specifically created harness. The angel girl will then sing the Regina Coeli (either in the original Latin or the local tongue) and dramatically remove the black veil covering her head to represent the end of the Virgin Mary’s grieving for the now reborn Christ.
Easter in the land down under can be quite the event, particularly if you’re interested in farming and agriculture! One of Australia’s notable Easter events revolve around a show called “The Royal Easter Show” which is held in Sydney every year. Here, farmers around the country proudly display their best produce and showcase their prized farm animals, which evokes a grand county fair in the US. The event is also marked with other special highlights such as parades, fireworks, joy rides, and food stalls.
You know the expression “rolling out the red carpet” every time a VIP arrives in town? Well, that expression takes on a curious twist in Brazil come Easter! When you think about it, Jesus is definitely a huge celebrity for devout Christians around the world, and Brazil’s devotees are nothing if not huge fans of Christ. So it stands that Brazilians literally decorate their streets every Easter with colorful carpets adorned with things such as flowers, wood shavings, coffee beans, and a myriad of other decorative objects so that the pathways will be ready the night before the traditional Easter procession will commence.
]]>Seasonal semantics aside, Easter is a great time for friends and families around the world to bond and celebrate life via the spirit of travel, as well as giving praise and thanks to the Lord Almighty. So if you’re like the Easter Bunny looking to hop to a brand new vacation location for this year’s Holy holiday, here are some great destination suggestions for you to consider.
Mediterranean Easter
One of the great things about visiting the Mediterranean is that many countries that comprise this Afro-European region are predominantly Christian, which means that you can certainly celebrate your Easter holiday in any of the Mediterranean nations. Another great perk is the fact that the Mediterranean coastline is a prime vacation destination, and Easter signals the early-bird call to all beach lovers everywhere to bask in the pristine shores and azure seas while enjoying plenty of sunshine. Greece, Spain, France, and Italy offer a wide variety of options for you in this regard, and don’t forget: these places are just as famous for their churches as they are with their beaches!
Tropical Island Easter
When you’re down for a long-haul Easter getaway that involves tropical beaches in a far-flung exotic location, then you have several places in the world at your choosing. In fact, depending on where you go, booking a vacation on a tropical island somewhere can be to your travel advantage. Consider the Caribbean Islands, where thousands of people flock to their shores on an annual basis. But did you know that Easter in the Caribbean is actually the end of the peak tourist season? Yes, that’s right! Should you want wide swaths of white sand beaches without the hassle of large crowds, you can do no wrong by flying off to the Caribbean during Easter. Other exciting and isolated options you might want to try would be the cluster of islands off the coast of Thailand, or any of the quiet and unspoiled isles of the Philippines—Asia’s predominantly Catholic country that happens to celebrate Easter with a devoted passion.
Homegrown Easter
If you’re looking for some local American flavor to spice up your Easter holiday plans, the whole of the United States has got plenty to offer for the intrepid traveling Christian on vacation. Springtime in the USA heralds a new awakening for certain regions who are shaking off the winter doldrums, and one of the best ways to see the country is by going on a classic cross-country road trip. You can either choose to drive through the southern states, enjoy the sights of the Midwest, or head to the West Coast to marvel at the panoramic views of the Pacific Coast Highway. Naturally, an Easter holiday road trip with friends or family wouldn’t be complete without the requisite pit stops to all the amazing churches and cathedrals scattered all over the United States.
]]>Just because the frenetic awards season is finally over doesn't mean that dedicated film enthusiasts still can't get their movie fix. After a previous year where movies tackled the themes of survival ("Gravity", "Captain Phillips", "12 Years A Slave"), personal tragedy ("Blue Jasmine", "Philomena", "Dallas Buyers Club") and the shameless excess and greed of modern society ("Nebraska", "American Hustle", "The Wolf of Wall Street"), the new year brings a plethora of both new and classic stories to tell for audiences. In fact, there's an apparent cinematic theme already beginning to resurface on silver screens across the world for this year, and that is the historic Biblical epic.
While such films may often court controversy as with previous films that dealt with the subject of the Bible, they have nevertheless proved to be visual works worth watching especially for the millions of faithful people around the world who are interested to see such iconic characters of a sacred book come to life on a big movie screen. For 2014, no less than three Biblical epic films will come to tell three distinctly different stories of three well-known figures from the Bible and will hopefully get the seal of approval from religiously devout moviegoers everywhere.
First on the list is another retelling of the story of Jesus Christ (portrayed by Portuguese actor, Diogo Morgado) in the aptly titled, “Son of God”, which is a standalone film based on the critically-acclaimed TV miniseries, “The Bible” and is already out in theaters since its world premiere on February 28. See the trailer below for more details!
The second epic to grace movie theaters this year revolves around the story of the man who built the Ark and the extraordinary flood that followed after its creation. Directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring an ensemble cast of award-winning actors that includes Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Connelly, and Russell Crowe in the titular lead role, “Noah” arrives with the full-force of a tsunami wave on March 28. Watch the trailer below to find out more about this gripping film!
Closing the year and arriving during the holiday season is a modern-day retelling of Moses and his grand mission to bring his enslaved brethren out of Egypt and into the Promised Land as pre-ordained by God.
Christian Bale stars as the savior of the Hebrews and is backed by a supporting cast that include the likes of heavyweight veteran actors such as Ben Kingsley and Sigourney Weaver. “Exodus” is expected for release on December 12. No trailer has been released as of press time, but to give you a visual teaser of what you can expect, here's the first officially released image of Christian Bale as Moses featured below.
With these three Biblical epics to look forward this year, it’s definitely time for you to get in touch with your spirituality and be inspired to live out 2014 with the stories of Noah, Moses, and our Lord Savior, Jesus Christ.
]]>There are many labels that one could possibly affix to the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, but there is one designation that might seem a bit peculiar to most people: fashion icon. Since his appointment as the head of the Vatican, Pope Francis Ihas bucked all public expectations regarding his image by choosing to dress himself in simpler and more modest religious vestments as opposed to the elaborate regalia worn by his predecessors. Indeed, such maverick sartorialism has led the Pope to be hailed as Esquire Magazine’s Best Dressed Man for 2013.
But while Pope Francis may not have expected this kind of response to his remarkably low-key style, the influence he has sparked among other members of the Catholic Church is slowly beginning to take shape, particularly with the College of Cardinals. Recently, Pope Francis has inducted the first batch of new cardinals under his reign; these nineteen newly ordained “princes of the Church” hailing from all over the world, from Asia to South America. During the induction ceremony, the Pope urged the new cardinals with this special missive: "I will tell you what the Church needs: she needs you, your cooperation and even more your communion. The Church needs your courage [and] compassion, especially at this time of pain and suffering for so many countries throughout the world."
Traditionally, cardinals are noted for their distinct head-to-toe scarlet ensemble: from the silk skull cap to bright red socks, with a white lace embroidered surplice known as a rochet worn over the red cassock and underneath the mozzetta, or shoulder cape. This look is particularly essential whenever the Holy See inducts new members into the College of Cardinals, and given Pope Francis’s preference for less ostentatious garb even during the most important of holy events and gatherings, clergy members are likely to follow His Holiness’ lead and dress in a manner that still represents their ascended position within the clergy hierarchy but with a decidedly subtle touch.
Raniero Mancinelli, an Italian tailor who has been outfitting Vatican popes and cardinals since the 1960s, has commented on the unexpected style influence that Pope Francis has exuded to his fellow men of the cloth. He notes: “The cardinals and priests are much more careful of shining and spend less on their clothes. The gilded miters are only in shop windows. This is a consequence of Francis. They want to show they are on the same pastoral page." Such is the “Francis effect” that other notable religious outfitters in Italy have considerably changed tactics and began offering quality vestments for relatively cheaper prices, as opposed to sticking expensive price tags on the garments.
And we here at Churchgoers are certainly taking notes from Pope Francis’s style book. Not only do we showcase a diverse and high-quality range of timeless robes, cassocks, albs, and other religious vestments for dedicated members of the clergy—we are also offering our stylish catalogue for relatively affordable prices! So if you’re an active priest or pastor looking to the Pope as your fashion inspiration, Churchgoers is here to make your worship beautiful for less.
]]>Contrary to most cynical views that Valentine’s Day is a fake holiday invented by greeting card companies to capitalize on the sales of chocolates, cards, and flowers, you might be surprised to know that this particular date, every 14th of February is actually a day commemorating an official Catholic saint.
Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine (Latin: Valentinus), who was a widely recognized third-century Roman saint commemorated on February 14 and associated since the High Middle Ages with a tradition of courtly love. And while most lovers of all ages tend to celebrate Valentine’s Day through various romantic gestures such as candlelit dinners or exchanging intimate gifts, it also happens to be an official feast day in the Anglican Communion and in the Lutheran Church. And since there are several Christian denominations at present time, his feast day is also observed during different periods. For most Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans, they commonly observe Valentine’s Day on February 14. But for the faithful under the Eastern Orthodox Church, they actually celebrate it during July 30, a full five months after the more well-known date.
Most devotees commonly give patronage to Saint Valentine by attending mass services and giving prayers to their significant others as Valentinus is famously known as the patron saint of affianced couples. But Saint Valentine isn’t just the go-to saint for devoted lovers; he also happens to be the saint who protects beekeepers and upholds the virtues of love and prosperous marriages, as well as fending off physical ailments such as fainting, plagues, and epilepsy.
Here are some other interesting facts about Saint Valentine that might pique your interest:
So whatever your plans may be during the Day of Hearts this month, remember to spare a thought for Saint Valentine who is the true source of this feast day and give him thanks for spreading the joy and spirit of love around the world!
]]>This year’s NFL Super Bowl recently concluded with the Seattle Seahawks defeating the Denver Broncos, but that wasn’t just the big news that broke out of the biggest annual sporting event in the United States. As almost everyone knows who keeps tabs on the Super Bowl, the best things to see outside of the actual football game itself are the multitude of ads that dominate the TV screens during commercial breaks.
Every year, top companies bring out their A-game whenever the Super Bowl comes around because advertising during the event gives these businesses the chance to not only peddle their wares, but to also convey a great message that can instantly attract the viewer to look deeper beyond the products featured and realize that there is more to a particular company than meets the eye.
And this year, there are two specific Super Bowl TV spots that give awareness to very important social values done in highly creative and unexpected ways.
The first video above is an advertisement released by global soft drink brand, Coca-Cola. The company is famous for creating memorable ads that are inclusive and universal in nature so that their marketing campaigns can appeal to an international audience. For the 2014 Super Bowl, Coke adhered to their branding strategy and showcased the diversity of the United States by stating that “America is Beautiful”. In the ad, we see gorgeously filmed shots of American life as lived by Americans of various sexes, ages, and ethnicity. The twist? The commercial featured a striking rendition of “America the Beautiful” sung in different languages such as Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin, and Hindi—apart from English.
What makes Coke’s “America is Beautiful” ad resonate is the fact that the message they impart is one of equality and acceptance for various cultures. Regardless of one’s cultural differences and origins, it is important that we embrace and accept others without prejudice as this is one of the many key lessons that Jesus himself taught to His disciples.
Admittedly, the ad has received its fair share of backlash fueled by misguided patriotism masquerading as blatant racism. But it is this kind of negative outlook that prevents us as a society from moving forward as an inclusive and loving community. So before you pass harsh judgment onto others, remember the Golden Rule: one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.
The second Super Bowl ad comes from men’s grooming brand, AXE. Now normally, a typical AXE commercial would feature the classic storyline where a regular guy uses the product and immediately attracts a very attractive (and often skimpily dressed) woman who falls under the man’s spell.
Sexy with a bit of comedy is the template for a classic AXE ad campaign. But for their Super Bowl spot, the company decided to switch things up a bit and ended up with a winning ad that not only effectively captured the spirit of their core product, but also drove home a significant message in these troubling times.
The ad begins rather ominously as a montage of different scenes depicting international conflict unfold in the first half of the ad: a Middle Eastern military official carries a detonator to his superior; an armed American soldier invades a Vietnamese countryside via helicopter; a war tank slowly drives through a ruined Eastern European city; and a North Korean leader oversees a mass demonstration of his loyal army. At first, you might think that these scenes of war isn’t what the AXE brand is about, but the surprise twist is one that will leave viewers swooning with romance as the latter half of the commercial reveals the true motivations of all those segments and ending with an appropriate tagline: “Make Love, Not War.”
Eschewing the often tawdry tactics that AXE is known for in their marketing, the company has perhaps created a winner with AXE Peace in that they chose to highlight the importance of unity, compassion, humanity, and international peace apart from showcasing traditional romantic love between the featured couples in the commercial. And as anyone who has read the Bible knows, peace and love are the cornerstone values that God wants to see in all of mankind. This ad could not be any more relevant given that the past few years, the world has seen so much conflict and destruction that stems from hatred and ignorance. If we are to do the right thing and be a positive member of our global society, then change begins with actively displaying the values of peace and love not just to oneself, but to others as well.
Now let me ask you, which Super Bowl ad moved you the most?
]]>In its simplest essence, a church is a gathering place for the devout to offer their praise and conduct worship services. In a grand architectural context, a church is perhaps one of the most breathtaking places that anyone can step into where details such as marble floors, vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, and priceless furnishings are just some of the basic hallmarks of a large church.
Nowhere are these design facets more evident than in Europe, where majority of the most well-known (and often elaborately designed) churches are located. Featured below are five of the finest examples of these marvelously crafted sacred sanctuaries.
History tells us that Spain is well-renowned for its influence in spreading Christianity throughout the world, and this devout nation also happens to house one of the best examples of religious architecture to augment their status as a highly devout country.
The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família—or known simply as Sagrada Família—is located in Barcelona, Spain and is a perfect example of an impressive structure designed in a fusion of Modernisme, Spanish Late Gothic and Art Nouveau styles, which is credited to the original architect, the famous Antoni Gaudí.
The distinctive features of Barcelona’s crowning jewel are the towering spires intended to represent several central Biblical figures. Several critics and the general public largely agree that the Sagrada Família looks quite astonishing despite its unfinished status.
Yes, you’ve read that right: despite its largely magnificent looks, several parts of the church are still under construction. This is a rather startling fact about the Sagrada Família considering it was officially commissioned way back in 1882. But fear not! Architects and engineers working on the basilica today expect to have the Sagrada Família fully completed around 2028.
While it may be a historical museum nowadays (and was even converted into a mosque at one point), the majestic Hagia Sophia in Turkey is nevertheless considered as one of the finest showcases of religious architecture known to mankind.
Rendered in the classical Byzantine style, the former patriarchal basilica and imperial mosque is famously known for its iconic dome structure and four exterior minarets, the latter of which are visible from several parts in the city of Istanbul where the museum currently stands.
Richly steeped in religious history, the Hagia Sophia certainly reflects the striking and beautiful visual motifs of the different faiths that the structure was previously used for. In its present form as a museum, visitors are able to see the stunning and mostly well preserved and restored mosaics of Christian figures like the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ alongside images that are emblematic of Islamic art that decorate the building’s interiors.
When you think of an iconic church in France, there is perhaps only one structure that comes to mind: the Notre Dame. Known formally as the Notre Dame de Paris (en Anglais: “Our Lady of Paris”), this regal and imposing church has long been an associated symbol for the city of Paris even before the Eiffel Tower was created.
Done in the striking French Gothic architectural style, the Notre Dame is noted for its exteriors which include the church’s flying buttresses and gargoyle statues that flank the upper levels. Inside the cathedral, visitors will marvel at the sight of the Notre Dame’s signature stained glass rose window, among other breathtaking interior design elements.
Not only was the cathedral an important site for several significant events in European history such as the coronation of many French and English royals and the canonization of Joan of Arc, but the Notre Dame also served as the crucial backdrop for one of French literature’s most famous novels: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Victor Hugo.
Another fun fact: this famous French church houses ten large bells that periodically ring everyday to signify the time and various mass services, and each bell is lovingly given a name (Emmanuel, Marie, Gabriel, Anne Geneviève, Denis, Marcel, Étienne, Benoît-Joseph, Maurice, and Jean-Marie) to pay homage to several famous French religious leaders and Biblical figures. While each bell of the Notre Dame may have unique looks, names, and external patterns, all of them bear the Latin inscription, “Via viatores quaerit” which translates to “I am the way which seeks travelers”.
A visit to the city of Moscow in Russia will no doubt provide you with a grand visual spectacle in the form of the Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat. But while that may be the official formal designation of the well-known cathedral situated in the Red Square, it is often referred to in its Anglicized name as Saint Basil’s Cathedral to most of the people living outside of Russia.
Other certified names for the church include the Pokrovsky Cathedral and the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed. Despite the many names of this famous Russian structure, one thing that many fans of religious architecture can admire about this is its incredible design aesthetic.
Several historians, architects, and art experts have all shared their thoughts as to the exact architectural style that Saint Basil’s Cathedral, and most of these pundits can agree that there is truly no distinct design technique that was applied to the building, but rather it strongly evokes references to many other European design movements such as Russian, German, Byzantine, English, and Italian architecture.
This combination of varying styles would largely explain the gorgeous harmony of riotous colors that decorate the remarkable and unique onion domes that are a hallmark of the Russian cathedral.
Far away in the land of ice and fire and snow—that’s Iceland, to you—stands a modern church that is just as breathtaking as its historical European counterparts. Hailed as the largest church in Iceland, Hallgrímskirkja (English: Church of Hallgrímur) is primarily a Lutheran church and is distinguished by its soaring tower that is inspired by Iceland’s basalt lava flows, which suits the largely geothermal landscape of the Scandinavian island. Its distinct expressionist style of architecture echoes similar design elements of Grundtvig’s Church which is located in neighboring Denmark.
Hallgrímskirkja is situated at the heart of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, and is considered as one of the city’s most popular landmarks due to the fact that it also doubles as an observation tower where locals and visitors can ascend to the topmost viewing deck and marvel at the panoramic views of Reykjavík and the surrounding mountainous landscape.
And if you’re wondering as to the tongue-twisting name of the church, it’s because it was named after the Icelandic clergyman and poet, Hallgrímur Pétursson, who was the author of the Passion Hymns—a collection of poetic texts that present the Passion of Jesus Christ beginning from His entry in the Garden of Gethsemane to His eventual death and burial.
]]>The Easter season may not rival Christmas in pageantry, but its significance far outweighs all the other Christian celebrations.
And throughout Christendom, nothing has ever welcomed Easter quite like a good choir to rouse everyone’s spirits.
Easter just wouldn't be the same without choirs singing their solemn hymns and lively songs to honor the risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s undeniable—people want to hear your choir sing this Easter!
That includes us!
We know nothing makes Easter quite as bright and joyful as the sound of a good choir doing what they do best. We also know that Easter is a time for renewal and fresh starts.
So we've gotten into the spirit of this holy day, and decided to give back to the people who make Easter just that much more festive.
We are giving away one iPad Air to the winning choir who will join our competition! If you believe that your church or school choir has what it takes to shine, here’s how you can participate in the contest:
- 35% for MASTERY
- 25% for CHOREOGRAPHY & STYLE
- 20% for PROPS
- 20% for SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACT (i.e. likes, shares, tweets, etc.)
So what are you waiting for?
Invite your school or church choir and let them join this exciting competition so that they’ll be primed for the upcoming Easter season with a brand new iPad Air as a reward for their talented efforts!
We look forward to receiving your entries and we can’t wait to see what all the choir groups around the United States have in store for us!
]]>History has often presented the various popes of the Catholic Church on how they reigned as pontiffs of the Vatican, but there is one facet of being a pope that might raise interest to the more style-conscious individual, and that is the ever-changing trend of papal fashion.
In this handy visual guide, we take a look at five Catholic popes from the past up to the present, and see how papal style has evolved; taking into consideration the cultural trends of the time that each pope ruled over, as well as their personalities.
Looking at various archive photographs and portraits of Pope John XXIII, you would think he was a beardless version of Santa Claus. That’s because he is recognized for being the very last pontiff in history to don a special type of head covering known as a “caumaro”, which is essentially a short version of a Santa hat crafted out of red velvet and trimmed with white fur at the base.
A common accessory that most high-ranking church leaders like popes often wield is a ceremonial staff known as a “crosier”, which symbolized their status within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. So when Pope Paul VI took over the Vatican in 1963, he decided that he wasn’t just going to carry around any old, common crosier—he had one custom-made by no less than a Neapolitan sculptor. The crosier was made out of silver and fashioned into the shape of a cross.
One of the longest-reigning popes in Catholic history, who is close to being canonized as a Saint also happened to have a sense of style during his years as an active pontiff. Pope John Paul II was famously gifted a pair of blue-tinted sunglasses by iconic musician Bono of the band U2, and was known to favor a large wool cloak in bright crimson which allowed young children who met the pope to play hide and seek in its red folds.
Recently retired Pope Benedict XVI is perhaps considered by most media critics as the Vatican’s equivalent of a fashionista, as the former head of the Catholic Church was known to favor grand papal regalia for his public appearances. But none perhaps captured much attention than his signature red leather shoes, which were initially rumored to be custom-made Pradaloafers, until official reports surfaced upon his retirement that Pope Benedict’s eye-catching red shoes were, in fact, created by an unnamed shoemaker whose atelier is located close to the Vatican.
Where his predecessors opted for visual grandeur in their appearance, newly elected Pope Francis I is something of a fashion rebel by going towards the opposite direction. He famously shunned the more opulent fashions of a typical papal wardrobe and has opted for a more modest approach to his image—such as choosing to wear classic black leather shoes and the simplest Papal ring—which is consistent with his humble beginnings as a priest in Argentina. Despite Pope Francis’ unconventionally minimalist sense of style, he has been named by Esquire Magazine as the “Best Dressed Man of 2013”.
]]>Christmas in… China
With a small percentage of the Chinese population being Catholics nowadays, it’s not surprising they have adopted Christmas as part of their holiday calendar. But in their native language, they refer to it as Sheng Dan Jieh which translates to “Holy Birth Festival”. It’s also quite fitting that one of the key holiday colors happens to be red, which is considered a very lucky color in Chinese culture. As such, red decorations (accented with gold) tend to dominate homes all over China when Christmas comes around. Christmas trees are dubbed as “trees of light” adorned with plenty of intricate paper lanterns, silk flowers, and red paper chains to represent prosperity and happiness.
Christmas in… Ethiopia
Catholic countries in Africa—such as Ethiopia—have their own version on how they celebrate Christmas. Being mainly a dry and arid nation, Ethiopia certainly doesn’t adhere to the common scenario of Santa Claus driving his reindeer-powered sled across a snowy landscape. But the locals still have an affinity for the color white; as this is the color of the garments Ethiopians wear when the holidays begin with Ganna on January 7 (which is known as the birth of Christ in their holiday schedule). Twelve days after Ganna has passed, Ethiopians then celebrate the baptism of Christ—an event known as Timkat which lasts for three whole days.
Christmas in… Australia
Down under where there’s virtually no snow, Australia makes do with their holidays by mixing winter imagery with arid-to-tropical settings. Most Australians—particularly those who live in the coastal cities like Sydney and Perth—flock to the warm beaches gamely wearing Santa hats which curiously clashes with their beachwear of board shorts and bikinis. In place of snowmen, Aussies have adapted with holiday sandmen which definitely won’t melt under the heat of the sun (though wind and water is still a formidable weakness). When darkness falls, people usually converge in groups at night with lit candles and sing Christmas carols—an event known in Australia as Carols by Candlelight.
Christmas in… Italy
Don’t expect Santa Claus to visit Italy as part of his holiday itinerary. Instead, this vigorous European nation that is home to the seat of Christianity is visited by a benevolent old witch with a broomstick! Known to many Italians as La Befana, she is Italy’s version of a gift-giving entity for children who look forward to receiving presents for the holidays. But rather than arriving on the eve of December 24, La Befana comes to Italian households on January 5. And rather than leaving milk and cookies for her, Italian children leave wine and savory food instead as thanks for gracing her presence in their homes and providing them with gifts.
Christmas in… Iceland
An overabundance of powdery snow aside, Iceland certainly celebrates Christmas quite differently from other countries. For one thing, Icelandic people have not one but thirteen Santa-like figures as part of their holiday folklore! Dubbed as the Yule Lads, each Santa-esque figure arrives every night for thirteen consecutive nights to knock on the windows of homes around Iceland and give kids presents. And there’s even a holiday figure for bad kids, too! Known as Grýla, she is the mother of the Yule Lads who happens to be half-animal and half-troll. Grýla accompanies her sons on their yuletide visits to teach naughty children good life lessons. Completing this eccentric Icelandic family is the Yule Cat, who joins Grýla and the Yule Lads, and is known to eat the food of any home unless every Icelander receives a piece of clothing as a holiday gift.
Christmas in… Mexico
Mexico’s warm climate allows for cultural variations on Christmas décor and other holiday trappings once the holidays arrive. Because of the rather agreeable weather, Mexicans take to the streets where families shop for food, gifts, and other Christmas purchases in outdoor market stalls known as puestos. Instead of poinsettias, locals adorn their homes with lilies and evergreens. And evoking a certain Halloween aura to their festivities, Mexicans traditionally cut out very intricate designs in large brown paper bags and stick a lit candle inside the finished lantern. These creations—known as farolitos—are then placed outside their homes, on windowsills, along sidewalks, and even on rooftops as a way to light up the community with the spirit of Christmas.
Christmas in… the Philippines
As the predominantly Catholic country in Asia, the Philippines certainly take Christmas very seriously, to the point where the holiday season actually begins as early as September and lasts as long as late January! This rather extended holiday schedule allows for much flexibility for most Filipinos as they have plenty of time to do their Christmas shopping and home decorations before the actual holidays begin. Traditionally, Christmas in the Philippines is highlighted by a midnight feast called “Noche Buena” where Filipinos prepare a veritable feast of dishes which commonly feature classic fare seen in Filipino parties such as rice, rotisserie chicken, spaghetti, fruit salad, native desserts, and a whole roasted pig called lechon.
Christmas in… Venezuela
Roller skating during Christmas? That’s certainly a long-standing tradition you’ll find when you’ll celebrate Christmas in Venezuela! As one of the well-known Latin American countries, Venezuela also has a particular flair when it comes to celebrating the holidays. Aside from closing their roads to allow locals to freely roller skate between December 16 to 24, Venezuelans traditionally paint their houses two to four weeks in advance before Christmas as a way to welcome the arrival of baby Jesus and Santa Claus (known to locals as San Nicolas). Venezuelan folk music and lively fireworks augment the holidays in the country as people feast on delicious Christmas dishes made from beef, pork, chicken, and other delicacies.
Christmas in… Sweden
A Swedish Christmas places importance on a religious figure known as Saint Lucia as the Swedes celebrate an event known as “St. Lucia’s Day” as part of their annual Christmas festivities. For this occasion, the eldest daughter of a typical Swedish household wakes up before the rest of her family at the early hours of dawn during December 13 and acts as Saint Lucia herself—the Queen of Light—by wearing a long white dress and a crown of leaves. The eldest daughter then sings the traditional hymn, “Santa Lucia”, as she goes to every bedroom in the house to serve her family members a hot cup of coffee and other treats. Many other Lucias around Sweden are also dispatched to hospitals, orphanages, and nursing homes to bring joy to the people. This tradition is also celebrated in other Scandinavian countries such as Denmark, Norway, and Finland.
Christmas in… South Korea
Just like China and the Philippines, South Korea has a rather sizable Christian population compared to other Asian countries, which means South Koreans definitely celebrate Christmas! Considered as an official national holiday, Koreans don’t have work and school on December 25 but return to business the next day (December 26,, Boxing Day). Even those Koreans who aren’t Christian or Catholic simply adore the holidays as South Korea simply lights up during Christmas since homes and buildings everywhere—especially in the capital city of Seoul—are festooned with amazing light displays. While in other cultures it is quite gauche to give money as a present, Koreans don’t have a problem with it at all and some actually prefer to receive a large amount of money as an ideal Christmas gift. And even South Korea’s version of Santa Claus is different: where he is commonly clad in white and red, a typical Korean Santa is typically dressed in red and blue!
Christmas around the world may differ from country to country, but one thing is for certain: the spirit of the holidays remain intact as people everywhere celebrate the auspicious birth of Jesus Christ, who is the central figure of Christianity for millions of people on Earth that adhere to that faith.
]]>He toured around Israel and was given a rock star reception wherever he went; a crowd would always tag along. Soon, people started calling him Christ, the promised savior—it is important to note that Israel was under Roman rule back then.
Source: www.fineartamerica.com
His teachings soon created political unrest; church and civil authorities were greatly disturbed and began plotting ways to pin him down. The jerk in His company proved to be of great help.
To cut the long story short, He was brought before court, found guilty in a scripted proceeding, brutally tortured, and nailed to a cross—a sentence reserved for hardcore criminals.
He bore the weight of humanity’s sins; He Who is Life Itself had to succumb to death so that He could beat death in death’s own turf.
And beat death He did! When He rose from the grave, death was rendered powerless over the redeemed humanity.
This is what His followers gave witness to in the first few centuries thereafter. Many of them had to shed their own blood in order to strengthen the growing movement. They called themselves Christians.
Fast-forward two thousand years later, Christians are still hanging around. Only this time, things are a little different.
For instance, from being an underground and persecuted movement, Christianity is today’s equivalent of what it means to be “mainstream.” Being the world’s largest religion, it has 2.2 billion believers distributed into 3 main branches: Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism.
What a difference two thousand years can make, huh?
The Split: Rise of Different Denominations
If misunderstanding is a staple issue in any given household, how much more in mega institutions or organizations like Christianity?
Yes, Christianity has had its fair share of misunderstandings among members. These created a gap, which eventually led to the creation of denominations or recognized autonomous branches of Christianity.
The first division within Christendom came in 1054 with the Great Schism between the Western and the Eastern Church. The separation was not sudden. For centuries, there had been several significant religious, cultural, and political differences between the East and the West.
Religiously, they had different views on topics such as the use of images, the nature of the Holy Spirit, and the date on which Easter should be celebrated.
Culturally, the Greek East has always tended to be more philosophical, abstract and mystical in its thinking, whereas the Latin West has always been more pragmatic and legal-minded in approach. Well, “the Greeks built metaphysical systems,” so goes an old adage, “while the Romans built roads.”
The political aspects of the split dated back to Emperor Constantine who moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople. Upon his death, the empire was divided between his two sons, one of whom ruled the Western half of the empire from Rome while the other ruled the Eastern region from Constantinople.
All these contributed to an eventual crisis climax in 1054, when Pope Leo IX excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople (the leader of the Eastern Church). In response, the patriarch condemned the pope, and the Christian Church has been divided into West (Roman Catholic) and East (Greek Orthodox) ever since.
The next major division in Christianity occurred in the 16th century with the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation was famously sparked when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses in 1517, but Protestantism as a movement officially began in 1529.
That year marked the publication of the Protestation, directed at the imperial government. The authors, German princes who wanted the freedom to choose the faith of their territory, protested that “in matters which concern God’s honor and salvation and the eternal life of our souls, everyone must stand and give account before God for himself.”
With its emphasis on individual interpretation of the Scriptures and a measure of religious freedom, the Reformation marked not only a break between Protestantism and Catholicism, but the beginning of denominationalism as we know it today.
This historical perspective explains the initially astounding variety of Christian denominations today.
Ecumenism
Ecumenism refers to a movement or effort promoting unity among Christian churches or denominations.
To settle issues regarding matters of doctrine and practice, early bishops of the church convened in what was called ecumenical council.
Of all councils convened throughout history, only the first seven had the most relevance to Protestants.
Other subsequent councils are of particular interest only to Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.
The First Seven Ecumenical Councils
1. First Council of Nicaea(325). Affirmed that Jesus is truly God and equal to the Father; renounced Arianism and adopted the Nicene Creed.
2. First Council of Constantinople (381). Affirmed that Jesus was perfectly man against the Apollinarians; revised the Nicene Creed into its present form which is used in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches; prohibited any further alteration of the Creed without the assent of an Ecumenical Council.
3. Council of Ephesus (431). Affirmed that Jesus is one person against Nestorianism; proclaimed the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God, and also condemned Pelagianism.
4. Council of Chalcedon (451). Affirmed that in Jesus, there are two distinct natures in one person that are hypostatically united “without confusion, change, division or separation”; renounced the Eutychianism and Monophysitism; adopted the Chalcedonian Creed.
5. Second Council of Constantinople (553). Reaffirmed decisions and doctrines explicated by previous Councils, condemned new Arian, Nestorian, and Monophysite writings.
6. Third Council of Constantinople (681). Asserted that Jesus had both a divine and human will; repudiated Monothelitism.
7. Second Council of Nicaea (787). Restoration of the veneration of icons and end of the first iconoclasm. It is rejected by some Protestant denominations who instead prefer the Council of Hieria (754), which had also described itself as the Seventh Ecumenical Council and had condemned the veneration of icons.
However, today, there is a need for a new form of ecumenism, an ecumenism that has for its goal a coming together of Christians through an encounter of traditions and confessions, and not just any other dialog to settle disputing beliefs and interpretations.
It would be the ecumenism of concrete encounter between those who share a thirst for the life which can conquer death, an encounter between people who are looking for real answers to the dead ends of the civilization in which we live today.
The aim of much-needed ecumenism is the unity of divided Christians, not to further establish their differences.
Common Christian Beliefs
Though Christian denominations sprout because of differences, there are certain converging teachings most Christians agree on.
God the Father. Christians believe that there is only one God, whom they call Father as Jesus Christ taught them.
God the Son. Christians recognize Jesus as the Son of God who was sent to save mankind from death and sin. His teachings can be summarized briefly as—love of God and love of one’s neighbor.
God the Holy Spirit. After He rose from the grave, Jesus remained on earth for a few days before going up into Heaven. He promised that He would stay with His followers, so after He went to Heaven, He sent His Spirit to guide them. The Holy Spirit is the guide, comfort, and encouragement of Christians.
The Most Holy Trinity. Christians believe in the Trinity—that is, in God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Some confuse this and think that Christians believe in three separate gods, which they don’t. Christians believe that God took human form as Jesus Christ and that God is present today through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Justification by faith. Christians believe in justification by faith— that through their belief in Jesus as the Son of God and in his death and resurrection, they can have a right relationship with God whose forgiveness was made once and for all through the death of Jesus Christ.
Life after death. Christians believe that there is life after earthly death. While the actual nature of this life is not known, Christians believe that many spiritual experiences in this life help to give them some idea of what eternal life will be like.
Baptism. Christians believe in one baptism into the Christian Church, whether this be as an infant or as an adult, as an outward sign of an inward commitment to the teachings of Jesus.
The Saints. These days, the word saint is most commonly used to refer to a Christian who has lived a particularly good and holy life on earth, and with whom miracles are claimed to have been associated after their death.
The formal title of Saint is conferred by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches through a process called canonization.
Members of these churches also believe that saints created in this way can intercede with God on behalf of people who are alive today. This is not accepted by most Protestants.
In the Bible, however, the word saint is used as a description of anyone who is a committed believer, particularly by St. Paul in the New Testament (e.g. Ephesians 1.1 and 1.15).
Common Christian Celebrations
Different Christian denominations celebrate different religious festivities. But there are two main festivals celebrated commonly by most Christian denominations worldwide.
Easter. This is the most important, and supposedly the most joyous of Christian festivals. This is the celebration of Jesus’ triumph over the power of death, when he rose from the grave after spending three days there.
This is the central foundation of Christian faith. If Jesus had not risen from the grave, all will be for naught. The resurrection established Jesus as the powerful Son of God.
Christmas. This is the celebration of the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary as a fulfillment of the Old Testament’s Messianic prophecy. By humbly coming to earth in fragile and wretched human form, Jesus restored man into God’s friendship which was tarnished in The Fall.
Jesus did not initially set out to establish a religion as diverse as Christianity. One may even contend that He did not, in the first place, set out to establish a religion. He came for only one reason: to bring man back into God’s friendship.
While envisioning a united Christianity is far-fetched in the near future, in due time, Christ will unite all men unto Himself. And by then, we would be more than happy to reunite with our dear brethren in faith.
]]>Symmachus, 384 AD
Discrimination has been rampant all over the world. It is exhibited in just about any way possible, in any setting imaginable. To name a few, people discriminate against race, belief, sexual preference, employment, gender, height, health status, and religion. Of these things, let’s zero in on a single topic “bigger” than all of us — religion.
The argument about which religion is the “ideal” has been going on for what seems like an eternity. So rather than disputing about it, which some people think is a humdrum topic, why don’t we switch gears and talk about something more interesting?
What we are about to show you is not about Christianity or us trying to convince you to join our own “cult”; it’s about something that people find interesting to talk about. “What is it?” you may ask? It involves something that isn’t really what you’d start a conversation with. It’s something that involves witches, Satanists, and even marijuana. Yup, you read that right—marijuana.
We are aware that this is a sensitive topic for some people, so we’ve carefully selected incredibly interesting things about religion that will hopefully enlighten some preconceived notions in people’s heads. We’re also pretty sure that some of these mind-blowing facts are something you didn’t thought were true. Do note that none of what you are about to read is biased in any way whatsoever. We are merely trying to expose you to the truth. We hope you will like it as much as we did! Ladies and gentlemen, the eye-opening religious facts!
]]>Today, some churches are shifting from long-established traditionalist styles to a modern and more practical one. Cupolas and spires have become things of the past as churches move to industrial areas to make them more accessible to the populace.
Building a grandiose church is one thing, decorating it is another. The external edifice accommodates the faithful, while the interiors incite them to worship. But regardless of aesthetics, both have to serve their purposes well.
As churchgoers, we may not really care about the detailed decor of our churches, but when they’re gone, they will definitely be noticeable: the absence of inspiring paintings, illuminating lights, fresh scent of flowers and solemn glow of candles will definitely be missed.
So to elevate that worship experience, we have a few decorative pointers for you.
Lighting
Proper lighting is transformational in a church. It can turn a gloomy cavern into a luminous sanctuary. What determines the general lighting is the structure and location itself. The height of the ceiling and its type (e.g. traditional vaulted/cathedral type, the common drywall ceiling or modern ones like suspended, coffered, or tray ceilings) are major considerations. Overhead lights can be put in place where spotlighting or emphasizing is needed especially in important parts inside the church like the altar, or where statues or paintings are placed. This can be in the form of sconces and candelabras either hung on walls or put on candle stands.
Proper lighting should also be ensured along the pews to light up the crowd especially during evening masses.
Color Choices
Colors have significant meanings, and they can create a more profound experience when applied with knowledge. These colors are sometimes best exhibited in church robes and paraments during Holy Mass celebrations. For example, pastors and priests or the choir would wear robes and choir cassocks that correspond to the liturgical season.
Here are some of the colors used in modern-day Christian churches and their meanings:
Red symbolizes the presence of God. This also symbolizes the blood shed by martyrs.
Purple symbolizes pain and suffering and is the color for the Season of Lent.
Blue signifies the kingship of Christ and is used to symbolize his imminent birth during Advent.
Gold denotes what is precious and valuable, as well as majesty and festive joy. This is commonly used in joyous occasions and church celebrations.
Yellow stands for light, renewal, and hope.
Green signifies renewal and new life.Green is the color of the Advent Wreath.
Gray is for repentance, which in turn is symbolized by the ash on Ash Wednesday.
Pink means happiness and the anticipation for the coming birth of Christ.
Black is the representation of mourning and death. A black cloth is sometimes used to drape crosses and altars during Good Friday.
White pertains to purity, sanctity, and virtuousness. The color is also used on baptisms and weddings.
Furnishings and Flooring
Designing a church can go as far as a big renovation, so it’s important to know a little bit of the structure and materials used to know what works best with what. Help from an expert church member, like an architect, engineer, or interior designer would be much appreciated.
In the traditional setting, pews are the choice of seats. On the other hand, contemporary style churches use individual chairs to be a bit different. Most of the time, the choice of seats should also complement the floor.
Pews usually look best with wood (or wood-looking material) and carpeted flooring. Carpeting may be put on aisles. Churches with longer rites and in-church activities usually use chairs instead of pews for better mobility. In addition, concrete tiled flooring works best with individual chair seating.
Church floorings must be able to withstand heavy activity especially that churches can be full of people on Sundays and special days.Wooden floors may not withstand such crowds; it also requires more effort in maintenance like waxing, sanding, and buffing. It is also not resistant to water so this can be an issue for areas where it snows.
However, there are easy to install floorings that could be done regularly over a period of timebut these may not be very economical. For longevity and endurance, terrazzo tiles are highly recommended for churches in general. The cost may be high, but it is worth it.
Another consideration when it comes to flooring is that if your church uses traditional musical instruments like a pipe organ that requires reverberation and good acoustics, then shy away from carpeting or cork floors. These instruments require hard surfaces for better sound effect.
Wall Fixtures and Coverings
Some churches feature paintings or murals. In old traditional churches which are laden with alcoves, statues, posts, and columns, and even frescoes,minimal decoration is needed because the interior design itself is majestic. Small churches with simple architecture may need more work to have better visuals and add warmth to the atmosphere.
Replicas of popular paintings like the Last Supper and the Entombment or sculptures like the Pietà look good on certain parts of the church.
You can also go for simple but thought-provoking verses from the bible like James 1:14-15 –“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” Or Galatians 6:10 – “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (New King James Version)
Decorative Elements
Certain decorative elements in the church may be the small things like flowers and candles but they contribute to the overall ambience of the worshipping place.
For flowers, make sure they are always fresh. Candles should also be the non-scented ones since some people may be sensitive to scented candles and may feel nauseous once inside the church.
We hope that these pointers can help enhance your church and make it a true spiritual haven. Many say though that the essence of the church is not the edifice itself but the community.
This is why churches are now designed towards a sense of community and better engagement. After all, the purpose of the church is for members to congregate.
This is not to say that decorating and beautifying the church is uncalled for – it is merely the icing on the cake. It could also serve as a metaphor for the enrichment of the soul – we beautify the physical church in as much as we are beautified within ourselves.
]]>Amidst it all, we still take the time to commemorate, celebrate, or simply take a respite–a time for reflection, or rumination. Our Christian traditions and beliefs have set for us certain occasions to celebrate at least once a year—or once in our whole lifetime—as some sacramental celebrations can be.
Some of these celebrations may just be what society dictates, but some are biblically ordained. Here are the top eight:
Birthdays
Birthdays are one of those days we all look forward to, but it’s also what we secretly dread as we’re confronted with the reality that we’re growing a year older.
Oh well, that’s inevitable, right? Besides, you’re the star of this day! As the celebrant, you have a right to feel special (since this only comes once a year), and you are entitled to gifts and other surprises from family and friends. However, you may be also entitled to a bit of splurging on food and drinks for your guests (again, thank God this only comes once a year!). Above all, it should be noted that among the lavish gifts and abundant food, the best gift that is celebrated during this special day is the gift of life! And that’s what you should be most thankful for.
Baptisms
Even before the birth of their child, parents-to-be might be are already thinking about this occasion. Baptism might very well be the first occasion a person celebrates as a Christian. It is a very significant and meaningful milestone as it marks the start of a Christian life and journey.
Christ himself was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17) in the river Jordan by John the Baptist which basically inaugurated his public ministry and teaching. In the same way, this also gives a sense of responsibility to either the baptized or the parents. By being baptized, this means that the person is cleansed and purified, symbolized by such garments as white baptism towels.
This rite also marks a person’s obligation to follow the church and live by good deeds just as the church teaches.
Anniversaries
Some of the entries here are in a way, anniversaries themselves in a certain way, like birthdays for example. However, anniversaries cover a broad spectrum of celebrations or customs.
Again, it’s a day of commemorating a past event on a particular date it originally happened, within a period of one year. It could be a dear departed’s death anniversary, the country’s Independence Day, or most notably, a couple’s wedding anniversary. Marriages, as well as pastoral ordinations are well worth celebrating every year as sacred vows are renewed.
Weddings
While these may not apply to some, weddings are certainly big celebrations which are prepared with considerable time (and money). Some even take years in the making, and weddings vary according to culture, ethnicity, religious denomination, and social status.
The wedding has also been hailed as the most important day of a woman’s life. This could be because of the thought that being a wife and mother is a woman’s highest calling. Interestingly in the U.S., a lot of couples are choosing to get married on July.
What’s with July that makes it very appealing to engaged couples? No one is really sure. Perhaps it’s just the warm sunny weather.
Christmas
You know Christmas is coming when you hear its songs and see its decorations hung around or put up wherever. But maybe you’ve been anticipating for it all along and couldn’t wait for it to come!
Giving and receiving gifts, setting up a tree and adorning it, merry eating and drinking with loved ones, oh and the laughter and fun you share with them! How can you not be excited about these things?!
Christmas is the most anticipated yearly event on a worldwide scheme. It is celebrated or observed even by non-Christians.
It’s widely debated that Jesus couldn’t have been born in December because at the time of His birth, shepherds were watching their flock therefore suggesting he may have been born around summer or fall and not in December where weather conditions are cold—which would prompt shepherds and their sheep to take warm shelter.
New Year
You’re in awe of the explosive and colorful, earsplitting and vibrant fireworks while thinking and looking forward to another phase in your life. You think “Say hi to a hopefully better year” while the crackling noise still goes on or the party is at its loudest.
This could be the main reason why a New Year (and New Year’s Eve) is celebrated or expected with such dramatic fervor. There is that sense of hopefulness and expectation for what is to come. It’s a time to shed the past and move on with the future, greeting it with no less than a bang!
Easter
Perhaps even more significant to Christians than even Christmas, Easter is the highlight of most Christian church’s calendar as this represents the culmination of Christ’s passion and his victory over death, and therefore the redemption of man.
Regarded as a moveable feast, meaning it is not fixed in relation to the civil calendar, as the date of celebration varies between 22 March and 25 April, as it falls on the first Sunday after the full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) following the March equinox, as established by the First Council of Nicaea (325).
Celebrations need not be grand to be meaningful
We all know how fun and dear these celebrations are to each of us. But it is very important indeed to not lose sight of what’s essential, and what we are celebrating, if at all.
Celebrations must speak of what’s in the heart. If not, what’s the point?
Regardless of what tradition dictates or whether you get to spend money or not, the happiness within that cannot be bought is a celebration in itself and that’s what really matters.
If you find yourself alone on a birthday, or celebrating Christmas by yourself, a simple act like lighting a candle at church may just give you some peace, contentment, and personal meaning to the celebration.
]]>What about the Church? Yes, it too has its own dress code to follow. Look at the priests and pastors in their white, flowing garments, paired with a beautiful choir donning uniformed robes during services!
It seems natural to us to see choirs on robes matching the color of the occasion, but it never comes across our minds how it all started. Since the day we were born, the choir at church has been wearing robes!
Do you know that it all started in ancient Egypt? Yes, it has been practiced a long time ago. Through the years, denominations were sprouting, but along with that are choirs that render beautiful music to God. The only difference choirs have with each other will be the robes they get to wear and the songs they get to sing on services.
Do you want to learn about how time has changed the choirs at the church? Do you want to see how the robes have changed according to time? Brace yourself to the different styles a robe could get (they have fashion sense too, you know!). Let’s travel back through time and discover how robe fashion has evolved up to the modern times!
]]>Many churches provide customized choir robes to express their faith and uniqueness as a congregation. If you are a member of the choir, there are many good reasons why you should be glad that you are. The choir fills a special role during worship and we listed some of those reasons below. If you feel that there are more that we can add, feel free to leave a comment. We will be happy to hear from you.
1. The Choir Leads Worship
Singing is an integral part during worships. It fills the congregation with blissful aura, a joyful mood that makes everyone feel blessed. Singing in the church can never be complete without the presence of a choir who leads all the singing with angelic voices.
Choral members know the songs best because they practice and perfect each of it. Your presence as a church singer is indispensible; it is an added blessing to those who come to worship.
2. Masters of Prayer
A choir is regarded in the Christian tradition as the master of prayer. By joining the chorus, you have heeded a call to lead the congregation in meaningful prayer.
You do not only depend on hymnbooks or the screen that projects songs, you have learned the melodies and words thoughtfully, by heart. The time that you commit to master the art of singing in church is not rewarded financially, but even without asking for it, your dedication is rewarded in many ways that money can never buy.
3. Singing is both a form of prayer and rejoicing
Worshippers have always been encouraged to sing to convey their praise and worship. As written in Psalm 100:1-2: “A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”
Singing a hymn is a form of worshipping God. When melody and words combine, it conveys prayer in a deeper and more thoughtful way. Singers do not only send their prayer to the Almighty, the joyful hymn of their songs create an aura of rejoicing for blessings received.
4. Songs Lift the Hearts of the Faithful
Despite our trust in the Almighty’s grace, there are times when we cannot help but feel down. You are not alone in this. Many people who go to church do so to be lifted spiritually. The good news is, they have come to the right place. Being one of the people who wear that choir robe makes you a leader in lifting the churchgoer’s spirit. By singing heart-felt hymns, you help them see the Almighty’s light once again.
5. Extending the Gospel through Songs
Spreading God’s word is a job not only for members of the clergy—it is a work that every Christian can (and actually should) do. When you preach the word through songs, you help in bringing the Gospel’s promise of justification and transformation. How many times have you felt moved simply by listening to a song? When you stand in that choir row and sing songs yourself, you are also sharing that moving power.
Customized choir robes can help identify you as a member of a choral group. It represents who you are and what you contribute in your congregation. Wear it with joy and, as always, with gratitude to the Almighty.
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