Apostles in Procession (Ravenna, Italy)
The ancient baptistery of Ravenna originally built under the bishop Ursus in the fourth century was embellished in the fifth century with the brilliant mosaic program we see today by Bishop Neon. It is often called the "orthodox" baptistery to distinguish it from the very similar "Arian baptistery" also located in Ravenna.
The dome decoration shows a procession of the apostles (the eleven plus Paul) in mosaic with jeweled crowns in their hands. Each of the apostles is labeled in gold lettering. At the center is an image of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descends upon the head of a nude Jesus, who is up to his waist in the water of the Jordan River (personified by the figure on the right.
Here is a detail from the procession showing the apostles John, Bartholomew, and Philip.
For more photos, travel stories, and musings about religion and history, follow me on Twitter @arturoviaggia.com, Bluesky @arturoviaggia.bsky.social, and Mastodon @arturoviaggia@zirk.us
Apostles in Procession (Ravenna, Italy)
The ancient baptistery of Ravenna originally built under the bishop Ursus in the fourth century was embellished in the fifth century with the brilliant mosaic program we see today by Bishop Neon. It is often called the "orthodox" baptistery to distinguish it from the very similar "Arian baptistery" also located in Ravenna.
The dome decoration shows a procession of the apostles (the eleven plus Paul) in mosaic with jeweled crowns in their hands. Each of the apostles is labeled in gold lettering. At the center is an image of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descends upon the head of a nude Jesus, who is up to his waist in the water of the Jordan River (personified by the figure on the right.
Here is a detail from the procession showing the apostles John, Bartholomew, and Philip.
For more photos, travel stories, and musings about religion and history, follow me on Twitter @arturoviaggia.com, Bluesky @arturoviaggia.bsky.social, and Mastodon @arturoviaggia@zirk.us