Ichthys photos on Flickr

The village cemetery. Water plays a major role in Christian liturgy, just think of baptism. The colour blue has traditionally been used to depict the divine and Mary the Virgin. The fish is still being used as a symbol of Christianity. The Greek name for fish, ichthys, contains the first letters (in Greek) of Jesus, Christ, God, Son, and Saviour. When you read the phrase "gone fishing" on a grave, intentionally or not, you are within a very long tradition.

symbol by Anke knipst(off/on)

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Die eucharistischen Fische sind ein verbreitetes Bildmotiv der frühchristlichen Kunst und als Wandmalereien anzutreffen.Das (I·Ch·Th·Y·S-)Symbol besteht aus zwei gekrümmten Linien, die einen Fisch darstellen.

The ichthys or ichthus is a symbol consisting of two intersecting arcs, the ends of the right side extending beyond the meeting point so as to resemble the profile of a fish. The symbol was adopted by early Christians as a secret symbol. It is now known colloquially as the "sign of the fish" or the "Jesus fish".

(Wikipedia)

The Dance by Matt Buckingham

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A White-phase Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens). Galveston County, Texas.

Reddish Egrets are famous for their incredible fishing displays, where they seemingly dance across the surface of the water, running leaping erratically and spreading their wings in a wide array of positions in an attempt to frighten, corral, and capture ichthy prey.

Photographing these displays is a real challenge, especially when they’re close. Their movements are unpredictable, which makes tracking them exceedingly difficult. Sometimes, however, one gets lucky and manages to freeze a moment in time of a Reddish Egret on the hunt. Out of hundreds of frames created in an attempt to capture this, I had only a couple that I ended up liking enough to keep.

A village called fish by solerab

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Village Psari ("Ψάρι" means fish in modern greek) in Corinthia. A rather unusual name for a mountainous village in the mainland of Greece.

The name probably originates from the christian symbol ichthys (in greek "Ιχθύς" which is the ancient word for fish). The village's name "Ιχθύς" is mentioned for the first time in the 16th century [1] [2].

-------------------------------

References

[1] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthys, retrieved on March 10th, 2022

[2] www.psarikorinthias.gr/general.asp

Fisch- Fish by Anke knipst(off/on)

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Das Fischsymbol hat seinen Ursprung im frühen Christentum.Die Römer verboten sie den Christen ihre Religion. Um einander gegenseitig als Christ erkennen zu können, dachten sich die Christen ein Symbol aus: den Fisch.Warum gerade der Fisch, dazu gibt es viele Ideen und die bekannteste ist:

auf Griechisch heißt Fisch ICHTHYS. Mit griechischen Buchstaben wurde das so geschrieben: ΙΧΘΥΣ und für die Christen hatte dieses Wort eine ganz besondere Eigenschaft: Für sie stand jeder der fünf griechischen Buchstaben für ein Wort, das etwas mit Jesus Christus zu tun hatte.

The fish symbol has its origins in early Christianity The Romans forbade the new religion. In order to be able to recognize each other as Christians, Christians came up with a symbol: fish. Why fish in particular, there are many ideas and the best known is:

in Greek, fish means ICHTHYS. It was written in Greek letters like this: ΙΧΘΥΣ for Christians this word had a very special property: For them, each of the five Greek letters stood for a word that had something to do with Jesus Christ.

April 19, 2025. The 1151st day of war in Ukraine. Fragment of the entrance door to the monastery grounds. Archangel Michael's Zvirynetskyi monastery. Cathedral Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow". Kyiv. by Valery Pokotylo

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In Judaism, the biblical Judah (Hebrew: Yehuda), who gave his name to the tribe of Judah, was traditionally associated with the symbol of a lion.

In the Christian tradition, the lion is often one of the symbols of Christ.

"The Lion of Judah" is mentioned in the Revelation of John the Theologian (Rev. 5:5): "And one of the elders said to me: do not weep: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed and is able to open the book and loose its seven seals."

As soon as Christianity was born, Christian symbols appeared. And the very first of them was a fish. In Greek, ichthys. This word is written as ΙΧΘΥΣ - and this is an ancient monogram of the name of Jesus Christ, which is made up of the first letters in the words Jesus Christ God's Son Savior.

В юдаїзмі біблійний Юда (давньоєврейський - «Єгуда»), який дав ім'я коліну Юди (генеалогія), традиційно був пов'язаний із символом лева.

У християнській традиції найчастіше лев є одним із символів Христа.

«Лев Юди» згадується в Одкровенні Іоанна Богослова (Об. 5:5): «І один зі старців сказав мені: Не плач, ось, лев від племени Юдиного, корінь Давидів, переміг і може розкрити цю книгу і зняти сім печаток її».

Щойно зародилося християнство, з'явились і християнські символи. І найпершим із них стала – риба. Грецькою їхтіс. Пишеться це слово як ΙΧΘΥΣ – і це давня монограма імені Ісуса Христа, що складається з перших букв у словах Ісус Христос Божий Син Спаситель.

Знак також асоціювався з Альфою зі слів Ісуса Христа: «Я є Альфа і Омега, початок і кінець, перший і останній» (Откр.22:13).

Ichthys by Nadia D'Agaro

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Il Pesce, simbolo di Cristo per i primi cristiani.

The Fish, symbol of Christ for the first Christians.

it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthys

Ichthys & rush hour by michael_hamburg69

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Ricthus by Gerard Hermand

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Richthus

Einen schönen Feiertag wünsche ich Euch..../I wish you a great holiday .... by Peter + Gabriele

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Schön ist eigentlich alles, was man mit Liebe betrachtet. Je mehr jemand die Welt liebt, desto schöner wird er sie finden.

Christian Morgenstern

Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio, National Gallery (London) by Andrea Guagni 9 Million

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The Supper at Emmaus is a painting by the Italian Baroque master Caravaggio, executed in 1601, and now in London. It depicts the Gospel story of the resurrected Jesus's appearance in Emmaus.

Originally this painting was commissioned and paid for by Ciriaco Mattei, brother of cardinal Girolamo Mattei.

The painting depicts the moment when the resurrected but incognito Jesus reveals himself to two of his disciples (presumed to be Luke and Cleopas) in the town of Emmaus, only to soon vanish from their sight (Gospel of Luke 24: 30–31). Cleopas wears the scallop shell of a pilgrim. The other apostle wears torn clothes. Cleopas gesticulates in a perspectively-challenging extension of arms in and out of the frame of reference. The standing groom, forehead smooth and face in darkness, appears oblivious to the event. The painting is unusual for the life-sized figures, the dark and blank background. The table lays out a still-life meal with the basket of food teetering over the edge.

In the Gospel of Mark (16:12) Jesus is said to have appeared to them "in another form", which may be why he is depicted beardless here, as opposed to the bearded Christ in Calling of St Matthew, where a group of seated money counters is interrupted by the recruiting Christ. It is also a recurring theme in Caravaggio's paintings to find the sublime interrupting the daily routine. The unexalted humanity is apt for this scene, since the human Jesus has made himself unrecognizable to his disciples, and at once confirms and surmounts his humanity. Caravaggio seems to suggest that perhaps a Jesus could enter our daily encounters. The dark background envelops the tableau.

The basket of fruit in the foreground has two stray strands of wicker that form an ichthys, the early Christian fish-symbol for Christ. The shadow of the fruit on the tablecloth forms the body of a fish and fishtail.

IΧΘΥΣ by Alex Garcia

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E x p l o r e d

Macro Monday: Theme - Belief

IΧΘΥΣ or ΙΧΘΥC (Ichthys) is the ancient and classical Greek word for "fish",

used by Early Christians as a secret symbol,

Ichthys can be read as an acrostic,

a word formed from the first letters of several words.

It compiles to "Jesus Christ God's son Savior"

~231/365

ichthys by Leonid Belyaev

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This image was obtained with the help of manipulations in the photo editor and it is difficult to believe that the source served as a snapshot, so far it has no connection with the primary picture.

isle of bute by jäck

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Ichthys - Acronym bunt by crossmedia.files

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Ichthys bunt #Ichthys #Acronym

The Fish - ΙΧΘΥΣ (ichthys) by amy's antics

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Today the We're Here group members are looking out for religious symbols .

When I went out into the weedpatch there on the stones was this broken piece of hose in the shape of a fish.

LPG Tanker CRYSTAL ASTERIA (IMO: 9889576) at the Ichthys liquefied natural gas (LNG) onshore process facilities at Bladin Point, Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory, Australia. by Michael J Barritt

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The Dreams Of Peter by Daniel Arrhakis

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The Dreams Of Peter by Daniel Arrhakis (2019)

With the music : "Be Strong And Don't Give Up" by Florian Bur | Top Vocal Music

youtu.be/jycwUGkILls?list=RDuLKGAEla0oM

An creative mystic face based in Saint Peter. Cephas, or Peter the Apostle, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, and the first leader of the early Church.

Matthew 4:19 is the nineteenth verse of the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. Jesus has just begun preaching in Galilee and has encountered the fishermen Simon Peter and Andrew. In this verse he calls the pair to join him.

And he saith unto them, Follow me,
and I will make you fishers of men.

The phrase "fishers of men," also at Mark 1:17, is one of the most well known lines in the entire New Testament, and the most important metaphor for evangelism.
The image probably had an important role in the adoption of the Ichthys as a secret symbol of early Christianity.

The ichthys or ichthus from the Greek ikhthýs is a symbol consisting of two intersecting arcs, the ends of the right side extending beyond the meeting point so as to resemble the profile of a fish.

According to tradition, ancient Christians, during their persecution by the Roman Empire in the first few centuries after Christ, used the fish symbol to mark meeting places and tombs, or to distinguish friends from foes.

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Thank you to my dear Friend VeraJane Vickers for some images that enter in this composition that was shared for the Kreative People group's Treat This # 221 :

www.flickr.com/groups/1752359@N21/discuss/72157691458988183/

www.flickr.com/photos/95044232@N03/47809541552/in/photost...

www.flickr.com/photos/95044232@N03/47072338474/in/photost...

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Wish to all my dear friends a wonderful week ! : )

Thank you for your kind visit, comments and invitations, so sorry for the delay but i try to catching up during the next days !

jello shots for jesus by sushiesque

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undisclosed location, saturday night

participants were required to read aloud the biblical verses written on each shot they took

my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me by Joe

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A Sunday offering.

Another true tone HDR. Not dirty as my other HDRs. Just a subtle HDR treatment to a place of worship.

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In the New Testament

Matthew 27:46

King James Version (KJV)

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

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"Psalm 22:1, 'My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?'"

Question:

Why did Jesus say, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Response:

This is a very good question. Obviously, Jesus' words from the cross are especially significant. Everything in scripture and everything Jesus said is important, but we can be sure that His final words have special prophetic significance, and this is certainly so in the case of the quote you ask about.

When Jesus says "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?", He is, as you no doubt already know, quoting from Psalm 22 (verse 1 in the English versions). This is important to understand, because Psalm 22 is a prophecy of Jesus' crucifixion. The rejection of the Messiah by the people (v.6), the insults they hurled at Him on the cross (vv.7-8 - compare with Matt.27:38-43), the pain of the crucifixion (vv.14-15), the piercing of His hands and feet (v.16), the dividing up of His clothing by lot (v.18) are just some of the more obvious parallels this Psalm prophesies. Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen to Him because He understood this Psalm and how it applied to His death on our behalf (cf. Matt.20:18-19). By quoting Psalm 22, our Lord makes this clear, and makes it clear to all who would later hear these words of His that He was well aware that He would have to die on our behalf in order to save us - for this reason He came into the world (Jn.3:16-17).

Some people very wrongly take this quote you ask about to be a sign of desperation on our Lord's part in His hour of trial - but nothing could be further from the truth. These words from our Savior make it clear beyond doubt that, on the one hand, He understood why He had to suffer - this was His mission - and, on the other hand, that He was supremely confident of the Father's ultimate deliverance of Him through the resurrection of His body before it had even seen decay (Ps.16; cf. Act 2:24-31), for the second half of Psalm 22 is hymn of victory (vv.22-31). These words, therefore, were spoken entirely for our benefit, that we might know that Jesus was delivered over through the will of God (Matt.20:28), willing accepted this mission for our sake (Matt.26:42), and had complete and unbreakable faith in the deliverance that awaited Him. These words were spoken that we might believe in Him and might emulate His faith and confidence in God's deliverance even in the most terrible of circumstances. For if God delivered over His own Son to death that we might live, how would He not then give us everything (Rom.8:32)?

more from Ichthys ...

__________________

View on Black

The head of an Ichthyosaur Temnodontosaur. Found on Charmouth Beach 300m east of the river after heavy rain caused a cliff fall in 2000 by tedesco57

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chthyosaurs (Ancient Greek for "fish lizard" – Ancient Greek: ἰχθύς, romanized: ichthys, lit. 'fish' and Ancient Greek: σαῦρος, romanized: sauros, lit. 'lizard') are large extinct marine reptiles. Ichthyosaurs belong to the order known as Ichthyosauria or Ichthyopterygia ('fish flippers' – a designation introduced by Sir Richard Owen in 1842, although the term is now used more for the parent clade of the Ichthyosauria).

Ichthyosaurs thrived during much of the Mesozoic era; based on fossil evidence, they first appeared around 250 million years ago (Ma) and at least one species survived until about 90 million years ago,[1][2] into the Late Cretaceous. During the Early Triassic epoch, ichthyosaurs and other ichthyosauromorphs evolved from a group of unidentified land reptiles that returned to the sea, in a development similar to how the mammalian land-dwelling ancestors of modern-day dolphins and whales returned to the sea millions of years later, which they gradually came to resemble in a case of convergent evolution. Ichthyosaurs were particularly abundant in the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic periods, until they were replaced as the top aquatic predators by another marine reptilian group, the Plesiosauria, in the later Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, though previous views of ichthyosaur decline during this period are probably overstated. Ichthyosaurs diversity declined due to environmental volatility caused by climatic upheavals in the early Late Cretaceous, becoming extinct around the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary approximately 90 million years ago.

Science became aware of the existence of ichthyosaurs during the early nineteenth century, when the first complete skeletons were found in England. In 1834, the order Ichthyosauria was named. Later that century, many excellently preserved ichthyosaur fossils were discovered in Germany, including soft-tissue remains. Since the late twentieth century, there has been a revived interest in the group, leading to an increased number of named ichthyosaurs from all continents, with over fifty valid genera being now known.

Ichthyosaur species varied from 1 to 20 metres (3 to 66 ft) in length. Ichthyosaurs resembled both modern fish and dolphins. Their limbs had been fully transformed into flippers, which sometimes contained a very large number of digits and phalanges. At least some species possessed a dorsal fin. Their heads were pointed, and the jaws often were equipped with conical teeth to catch smaller prey. Some species had larger, bladed teeth to attack large animals. The eyes were very large, for deep diving. The neck was short, and later species had a rather stiff trunk. These also had a more vertical tail fin, used for a powerful propulsive stroke. The vertebral column, made of simplified disc-like vertebrae, continued into the lower lobe of the tail fin. Ichthyosaurs were air-breathing, warm-blooded, and bore live young. They may have had a layer of blubber for insulation. wikipedia

LNG Tanker ESSHU MARU (IMO 9666560, MMSI 311000285) at the Ichthys liquefied natural gas (LNG) onshore process facilities at Bladin Point, Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory, Australia. by Michael J Barritt

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Je suis Charlie - Flying Spaghetti Monster and Russell`s Celestial Teapot - Das fliegende Spaghetti Monster und Russells Teekanne - Spiegel by Ingrid Hedbavny

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The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) is a parody religion following the principles of Russells Celestial Teapot.

It is putting into practice what Russell did write about

They use the flying spaghetti monster instead of a teapot

If you don`t know this religion,please ask wikipedia, or ask google (keywords: "spaghetti monster" "pastafarian") and you will find informations in your language.

Part of: "an apple a day keeps the doctor away - An ENSO (Japanese: circle, Japanisch: Kreis) a day .... " Aktion Kreis Tagebuch A circle diary - Start of the 365-days Project: 1. September - Tag 6 der 6-Tage Aktion mit einem getragenen T-Shirt // Prokrustes

#CharlieHebdo #charlie #hebdo #JeSuisCharlie #jesuischarlie #ParisShooting #atheism #freethinker #SpaghettiMonster #russell #teapot #teekanne

DMC-G2 - P1870925 - 2015-01-15

Ichthys by Will

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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthys

Burlington, Ontario.

Origami Ichthys by Michał Kosmulski

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Easter is coming so with fluffy bunnies and cute chickens aplenty, it’s good to also add this fish to the pack.

This model is folded from a single strip of paper (1:8√2). The paper is not cut or glued — instead two notches are folded which allow the strip to intersect itself. I have dubbed this approach the Cross Lap Unit due to the similarity to the eponymous joint used in woodworking. A Crease Pattern (CP) is available here. Many other shapes can be folded in a similar fashion, both from single sheets as well as multi-module assemblies.

ichthys by Gennadiy Chernega

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Philippine Sea by garth herrington

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This is a 5 frame pano taken from the helideck of the Inpex Ichthys Explorer - Gas platform that is currently being towed to Australia. We are in the Philippine Sea - and the horizon is very wide without land!

Heart by Michał Kosmulski

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Origami heart made from a single Cross Lap Unit (CLU), using a similar technique as my Ichthys. Metallic paper with acrylic paint. For folding instructions, see this Crease Pattern (CP).

stow aways? by garth herrington

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At the end of a long swing at sea the Helicopter crews might be looking to leave early? There would certainly be room in the boot of this Bristow S92 aircraft. Inpex CPF Explorer - Ichthys project, Browse Basin. North West Australia.

Ichthys Scuttle, Fish Inspiration by crossmedia.files

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Zur Zeit der Urchristen war die Weltsprache Griechisch und das Wort für Fisch "Ichthys". Die griechischen Buchstaben sind zugleich aber auch die Abkürzung für ein Glaubensbekenntnis: "Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn, Retter".

Bullauge scuttle porthole port light side bull‘s eye ichthys fish Fische Bullaugen style wand Fenster window ship Schiff

Ichthys Central Processing Facility by garth herrington

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The Inpex Ichthys LNG project CPF is currently in the sea of Japan on route to Australia. Its being towed at about 3-4knots per hour. I am on board and will be sharing some images over the next month. Lots of ocean and not much else - so will get to practice my industrial photography and some abstraction whilst going slowly mad!

Fish & Chips by jamica1

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Nice satire

School of Jesus fish by wwfloyd

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Seen in a parking lot: creative use of the Ichthys icon, on back of the family SUV. Explore, November 16, 2007.

Ichthys by Mike Scott

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This reminded me of the Jesus fish symbol.

The Ichthys or fish symbol was used by early Christians to identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ and to express their affinity to Christianity. Ichthys is the Ancient Greek word for "fish." The "Christian fish," or "Jesus fish" symbol consists of two intersecting arcs tracing the outline of a fish (most commonly with the fish "swimming" to the left). It is said to have been used by early persecuted Christians as a secret symbol of identification. The Greek word for fish (Ichthus) also forms the acronym "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior."

Followers of Christianity identify with the fish as a symbol because fish frequently appeared in the ministry of Christ. They were a staple in the biblical times diet and fish were often mentioned in the Gospels. For example, Christ multiplied the two fish and five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. Jesus said in Mark 1:17, "Come, follow me ... and I will make you fishers of men." (NIV)

Fishers of men. by Neil Moralee

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Candid Canada shot, Toronto.

The ichthys or ichthus, from the Greek ikhthýs ("fish"), is a symbol consisting of two intersecting arcs, the ends of the right side extending beyond the meeting point so as to resemble the profile of a fish. It was used by early Christians as a secret Christian symbol and now known colloquially as the "sign of the fish" or the "Jesus fish".

n the 1970s the "Jesus Fish" started to be used as an icon of modern Christianity. In 1973 the symbol and message was taken to the Aquarius Rock Festival in Nimbin, Australia. Today, it can be seen as a decal or emblem on the rear of automobiles or as pendants or necklaces as a sign that the owner is a Christian. Versions of this include an Ichthys with "Jesus" or "ΙΧΘΥΣ" in the centre, or simply the Ichthys outline by itself.

The Triangular Epitrochoidal Curved Triangular Form) Rose Window by Ferguson and Urie; the Former Saint George's Presbyterian Church - Chapel Street, St Kilda East by raaen99

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Created by Melbourne stained glass manufacturer Ferguson and Urie in 1880 for the opening of the former Saint George's Presbyterian Church, the triangular epitrochoidal (curved triangular form) rose window is a very unusual example of such a window.

It features a number of symbols in small circles of brilliantly painted stained glass. These include:

- Alfa and Omega (taken from the statement by Jesus in the Book of Revelations 22 - 13 "I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End")

- a set of crossed keys (symbolising the keys to heaven as held by Saint Peter, its traditional gatekeeper)

- a sanctuary lamp (which symbolises the presence of the Lord)

- an anchor (symbolising hope), an eight pointed start (symbolising resurrection)

- the sun (symbolising good shining over evil)

- an Ichthys (fish) (symbolising Christ)

- a dove (symbolising the Holy Spirit)

- a five petal red Tudor Rose (symbolising the five wounds of Jesus Christ from the crucifixion)

- crossed palm branches (representing martyrdom)

- a chalice (taken from the glass from which Jesus drank with his disciples during the Las Supper

- symbolising Christ's power to redeem humankind)

- a wheat sheath (also taken from the Last Supper, symbolising the body of Christ and Christ's power to redeem humankind)

- a bunch of grapes (symbolising the blood of Christ and Christ's power to redeem humankind)

- a harp (symbolising music, musical instruments and the joy and worship in praising God)

- a crown (representing immortality, righteousness and the resurrection)

- the cross in the centre of the window, which is the principal symbol of the Christian religion, recalling the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the redeeming benefits of his Passion and death. The cross is thus a sign both of Christ himself and of the faith of Christians

Together, these circles, along with seven stars form the triangular epitrochoidal (curved triangular form) rose window.

The former Saint George's Presbyterian Church, which stands on busy Chapel Street in St Kilda East, is a well known and loved local landmark, not least of all because of its strikingly tall (33.5 metre or 110 foot) banded bell tower which can be spotted from far away. In the Nineteenth Century when it was built, it would have been even more striking for its great height and domineering presence. Designed by architect Albert Purchas, the former Saint George's Presbyterian Church is often referred to as his ecclesiastical tour-de-force, and it is most certainly one of his most dramatic and memorable churches.

The former Saint George's Presbyterian Church was constructed on a plot of land reserved in Chapel Street for the Presbyterian Church of Victoria in 1866. Initially services were held in a small hall whilst fundraising efforts advanced the erection of a church. The architect Albert Purchas was commissioned to design the church and the foundation stone for the western portion of the nave was finally laid in April 1877 by Sir James McCulloch. The first service was held in the church on the 1st of October 1877. The first clergyman of the former Saint George's Presbyterian Church was the Reverend John Laurence Rentoul (father to world renown and much loved Australian children's book illustrator Ida Rentoul Outhwaite). However, the swelling Presbyterian congregation of St Kilda and its surrounding districts quickly outgrew the initial Saint George's Presbyterian Church building, so Albert Purchas was obliged to re-design and enlarge the church to allow a doubling in capacity. Robert S. Ekins was the contractor and his tender was £3000.00. It is this imposing church building, reopened in 1880, that we see today. The "Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil" noted that the total length of the building was 118 feet and 6 inches (36 metres), by 40 foot (12 metres) wide and that the striking octagonal tower to the north-west was 110ft 6 in high. It perhaps reflected better the wealth and aspirations of the congregation.

The former Saint George's Presbyterian Church is constructed on bluestone foundations and is built in an ornate polychromatic Gothic Revival style in the tradition of English designers like William Butterfield and John L. Pearson. Built of red brick building, it is decorated in contrasting cream bricks and Waurn Ponds freestone dressings. It features a slate roof with prominent roof vents, iron ridge cresting and fleche at the intersection of the nave and transepts. The front facade of the church is dominated by the slender, banded octagonal tower topped by a narrow spire. The entrance features a double arched portal portico. The facade also features a dominant triangular epitrochoidal (curved triangular form) rose window. The church, like its bluestone neighbour All Saints Church of England, is built to a T-shaped plan, with an aisleless nave, broad transepts and internal walls of cream brick, relieved with coloured brickwork. The former Saint George's Presbyterian Church was one of the first major church design in Melbourne in which polychrome brickwork was lavishly employed both externally and internally.

The inside of the former Saint George's Presbyterian Church is equally as grand as the exterior, with ornamental Gothic Revival polychromatic brickwork, a lofty vaulted ceiling, deal and kauri pine joinery and pulpit and reredos of Keene's cement. The building originally contained a complete set of Victorian stained glass windows by well known and successful Melbourne manufacturers Ferguson and Urie, all of which remain intact today except for one of the non-figurative windows which was replaced by a memorial window to Samuel Lyons McKenzie, the congregation’s beloved minister, who served from 1930 to 1948, in 1949. The earliest of the Ferguson and Urie windows are non-figurative windows which feature the distinctive diaper pattern and floral motifs of Fergus and Urie's work, and are often argued to be amongst the finest of their non-figurative designs. The large triple window in the chancel was presented by Lady McCulloch in memory of the ‘loved and dead’. Another, in memory of John Kane Smyth, the Vice-Consul for the United States of America in Melbourne, has the American Stars and Stripes on the top ventilator above it. An organ by Thomas C. Lewis of London, one of the leading 19th century English organ builders, was installed in the south transept in 1882. It was designed to blend with its architectural setting, with pipework styled to avoid the obstruction of windows. The action of this organ was altered in 1935, but the pipework, and the original sound, have been retained.

Over the years many spiritual and social activities were instituted at Saint George’s, Presbyterian Church some of short duration such as the Ladies’ Reading Club which operated between 1888 and 1893. There were segregated Bible classes for young men and women, the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union, formed in 1892, a cricket club and a floral guild. Guilds teaching physical culture for girls, boys and young men began in 1904. They were entirely financed by John Maclellan and the idea extended to other denominations throughout Victoria. John Maclellan died in 1936 and the guilds ceased at Saint George’s Presbyterian church through lack of funds although in 1977 the members of the girls’ guild were still holding bi-annual reunions and raising money for charity. Sadly, the Presbyterian congregations may have been large in the Nineteenth Century, but by St George's Presbyterian Church's 110th centenary, its doors had already closed during the week due to dwindling numbers and an ageing congregation as a result of the general decline in church attendances after the Second World War exacerbated by the changing nature of St Kilda and the decrease in numbers of residents living in the vicinity of the church. So it stood, forlorn and empty and seemingly nothing more than a relic of a glorious but bygone religious past. However in 1990, Saint Michael's Grammar School across the road leased the Victorian Heritage listed building during weekdays, and it was eventually sold to them in 2015. It now forms part of the school's performing-arts complex, and it has a wonderful new lease of life.

St George's Presbyterian Church is sometimes hired out for performances, and I had the pleasure of receiving an invitation to hear Handel's Messiah performed there in 2009. The ecclesiastical acoustics made the performance all the more magnificent. I remember as I sat on one of the original (hard) kauri pine pews, I looked around me and admired the stained glass and ornamental brickwork. I tried without success over several subsequent years to gain access to the church's interior, settling for photographs of the exterior instead, but it wasn't until 2018 that I was fortunate enough to gain entry to photograph the church's interior. The former St George's Presbyterian Church was opened up to the public for one Sunday morning only as part of Open House Melbourne in July 2018. It was a fantastic morning, and I am very grateful to the staff who manned the church for the day and watched bemused as I photographed the stained glass extensively and in such detail.

Albert Purchas, born in 1825 in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales, was a prominent Nineteenth Century architect who achieved great success for himself in Melbourne. Born to parents Robert Whittlesey Purchas and Marianne Guyon, he migrated to Australia in 1851 to establish himself in the then quickly expanding city of Melbourne, where he set up a small architect's firm in Little Collins Street. He also offered surveying services. His first major building was constructing the mansion "Berkeley Hall" in St Kilda on Princes Street in 1854. The house still exists today. Two years after migrating, Albert designed the layout of the Melbourne General Cemetery in Carlton. It was the first "garden cemetery" in Victoria, and his curvilinear design is still in existence, unaltered, today. In 1854, Albert married Eliza Anne Sawyer (1825 - 1869) in St Kilda. The couple had ten children over their marriage, including a son, Robert, who followed in his father's footsteps as an architect. Albert's brother-in-law, Charles Sawyer joined him in the partnership of Purchas and Sawyer, which existed from 1856 until 1862 in Queens Street. The firm produced more than 140 houses, churches, offices and cemetery buildings including: the nave and transepts of Christ Church St Kilda between 1854 and 1857, "Glenara Homestead"in Bulla in 1857, the Melbourne Savings Bank on the corner of Flinders Lane and Market Street (now demolished) between 1857 and 1858, the Geelong branch of the Bank of Australasia in Malop Street between 1859 and 1860, and Beck's Imperial Hotel in Castlemaine in 1861. When the firm broke up, Albert returned to Little Collins Street, and the best known building he designed during this period was Saint. George's Presbyterian Church in St Kilda East between 1877 and 1880. The church's tall polychomatic brick bell tower is still a local landmark, even in the times of high rise architecture and development, and Saint, George's itself is said to be one of his most striking church designs. Socially, Albert was vice president of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects for many years, before becoming president in 1887. He was also an inventor and philanthropist. Albert died in 1909 at his home in Kew, a wealthy widower and much loved father.

The stained glass firm of Ferguson and Urie was established by Scots James Ferguson (1818 – 1894), James Urie (1828 – 1890) and John Lamb Lyon (1836 – 1916). They were the first known makers of stained glass in Australia. Until the early 1860s, window glass in Melbourne had been clear or plain coloured, and nearly all was imported, but new churches and elaborate buildings created a demand for pictorial windows. The three Scotsmen set up Ferguson and Urie in 1862 and the business thrived until 1899, when it ceased operation, with only John Lamb Lyon left alive. Ferguson and Urie was the most successful Nineteenth Century Australian stained glass window making company. Among their earliest works were a Shakespeare window for the Haymarket Theatre in Bourke Street, a memorial window to Prince Albert in Holy Trinity, Kew, and a set of Apostles for the West Melbourne Presbyterian Church. Their palatial Gothic Revival office building stood at 283 Collins Street from 1875. Ironically, their last major commission, a window depicting “labour”, was installed in the old Melbourne Stock Exchange in Collins Street in 1893 on the eve of the bank crash. Their windows can be found throughout the older suburbs of Melbourne and across provincial Victoria.

Science Fish by Steve Rainwater

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Several of my far-right friends have been making the ridiculous claim lately that science is just a religion and there's no real difference between evidence-based statements of fact and faith-based statements of belief. So Susan gave me a Science Ichthys. I've put it on my car.

6. Januar 1649 by Godwi_

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Im Oktober 1648 endete in Deutschland der Dreißigjährige Krieg. Ein viertel Jahr später sitzt jemand im Glockenturm der Waiblinger Michaelskirche und ritzt einen Fisch sowie ein markantes Datum in den Sandstein ein, der eines der Turmfenster umfasst: 6. Januar 1649. - Was soll das?

Nun - sicher ist nichts. Aber ich versuche hier mal ein paar interessante Ansätze zu kombinieren, die vielleicht erklären können, was es mit dem Fisch und dem Datum auf sich haben könnte.

Der Fisch ist ein altes Symbol, durch das sich angeblich die frühen Christen untereinander zu erkennen gaben. Er knüpft an Petrus den Fischer an, hat aber auch die Funktion eines Akrostichons: Das altgriechische Wort für Fisch heißt ICHTHYS und lässt sich als Abkürzung für "Iēsoũs Christòs Theoũ Hyiòs Sōtér" lesen - "Jesus Christus Gottes Sohn (und) Erlöser".

Aber das Datum?

Der 6. Januar ist der Dreikönigstag. Im Kirchenjahr heißt dieser Tag Epiphanias, der "Erscheinungstag des Herrn". Das hat damit zu tun, dass bis zur Kalenderreform von 1582 dieser Tag auf den nunmehr 25. Dezember fiel, und damit dem Geburtstag von Jesus Christus entsprach. Das Datum und der Fisch verweisen also beide auf Jesus Christus. Doch wie schon erwähnt: Im Jahr 1582 gab es eine Kalenderreform, die Epiphanias auf den 6. Januar verschob. Nach der Reform definierte die Kirche diesen neuen Dreikönigstag als Beginn ihres Kirchenjahres. Im süddeutschen Raum heißt Dreikönig darum manchmal auch "Neuneujahrstag". Dreikönig war in früheren Jahrhunderten also für Christen der Beginn des neuen Jahres, ein Pendant zu Sylvester. Außerdem ist Dreikönig die letzte der "Zwölf Nächte", die seit dem Weihnachtsabend vergangen sind. Diese Nächte galten im Volksaberglauben als die Zeit, in der die bösen Geister des alten Jahres umgehen.

Die Stadt Waiblingen wurde im Dreißigjährigen fast vollständig niedergebrannt. Ich vermute, dass am Ende des Krieges einige obdachlos gewordene Menschen im Kirchturm lebten. Einer von ihnen hat dann das Datum des ersten Neujahrsbeginns nach dem Krieg in den Stein der Turmwand geritzt, weil er sich eine friedliche Zukunft erhoffte. Aber das kann ich nicht beweisen. Ich mutmaße nur, dass es so gewesen sein könnte.

January 6th, 1649

In Germany Thirty Years' War was finished in October 1648. A quarter of a year later somebody scratched a fish and this date into the wall of the tower of Waiblingen's church. - What does it mean?

Well - I am not sure. But I want to try to combine some interesting approaches which may be due to explain this inscription.

The fish is said to be an old symbol that was used by early Christians to recognize each other. It reminds to Saint Peter, the fisherman, but it also works as an acrostic: in Ancient Greek the word for fish is ICHTHYS and that can be read as "Iēsoũs Christòs Theoũ Hyiòs Sōtér" - "Jesus Christ Godfather's Son (and) Saviour".

But what does the date stand for?

The 6th of January is Epiphany. Epiphany means "manifestation" or "striking appearance" and the term was in use to express the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. Until the year of 1582 Epiphany fell together with 25th December, the day of Jesus' birth. But in 1582 the calendar system has been reformed by integrating eleven days, and so Epiphany became the sixth day of January. This new Epiphany was defined as the beginning of the liturgical year. In so far it was a pendant to New Year's Day. And finally Epiphany was the "Twelfth Night" as it is known from Shakespeare - the last of the spooky nights after Christmas.

The city of Waiblingen has been burned down more or less completely in course of Thirty Years' War. I suppose that at the end of the war some people who became homeless lived inside the church steeple. One of them had the idea to carve the fish and the date of the beginning new year into to tower's wall. I think he was full of hope for a peaceful future without war.

IMG_1672(W) Tiny Scale Barb, Thynnichthys thynnoides (Bleeker, 1852) by Vince_Adam Photography

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Common Name: River Carp

Local name: Ikan Lomah (Malay), Tongsan Loma

Distribution: Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, & Borneo

Location (caught in): Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia

Maximum size: About 60 cm

Native

Classification / Names:

Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) > Cypriniformes (Carps) > Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps) > No subfamily

Etymology: Thynnichthys: Greek, thynnos = tunna + Greek, ichthys = fish (Ref. 45335).

Biology:

Occurs in large rivers, canal, oxbows and floodplains. Microphagous, feeds mainly on phytoplankton and periphyton with lesser amounts of bottom algae and small zooplankton. Migrates for spawning to the floodplains when water level is high. Young of the year are caught as they begin to return to the rivers in October.

In the Tonle Sap, Cambodia adults make nearly all of the October catch, with larger and larger proportions of young in subsequent months. Use to make prahok (is a crushed, salted and fermented fish paste that is used in Cambodian cuisine as a seasoning or a condiment) and nuoc mam ( liquid condiment made from fish or krill that have been coated in salt and fermented for up to two years. It is widely used as a staple seasoning in East and Southeast Asian cuisine).

Detail of the Triangular Epitrochoidal Curved Triangular Form) Rose Window by Ferguson and Urie; the Former Saint George's Presbyterian Church - Chapel Street, St Kilda East by raaen99

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Created by Melbourne stained glass manufacturer Ferguson and Urie in 1880 for the opening of the former Saint George's Presbyterian Church, the triangular epitrochoidal (curved triangular form) rose window is a very unusual example of such a window.

It features a number of symbols in small circles of brilliantly painted stained glass. These include:

- Alfa and Omega (taken from the statement by Jesus in the Book of Revelations 22 - 13 "I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End")

- a set of crossed keys (symbolising the keys to heaven as held by Saint Peter, its traditional gatekeeper)

- a sanctuary lamp (which symbolises the presence of the Lord)

- an anchor (symbolising hope), an eight pointed start (symbolising resurrection)

- the sun (symbolising good shining over evil)

- an Ichthys (fish) (symbolising Christ)

- a dove (symbolising the Holy Spirit)

- a five petal red Tudor Rose (symbolising the five wounds of Jesus Christ from the crucifixion)

- crossed palm branches (representing martyrdom)

- a chalice (taken from the glass from which Jesus drank with his disciples during the Las Supper - symbolising Christ's power to redeem humankind)