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La basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Montmartre, (en francés: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur) es un importante templo religioso situado en París (Francia). Está ubicado en lo alto de la colina de Montmartre.
Se trata de una basílica menor dedicada al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (en francés, SacréCœur de Jésus).
Historia
Su construcción fue decidida por la Asamblea Nacional en 1873, como un edificio religioso a perpetuidad en homenaje a la memoria de los numerosos ciudadanos franceses que habían perdido la vida durante la Guerra franco-prusiana. Según sus promotores se hacía también para expiar por la impiedad del Segundo Imperio francés.2 Fue el arquitecto Paul Abadie quien ganó el concurso para su construcción.
La primera piedra se colocó en 1875, y aunque se completó en 1914, no se consagró hasta el fin de la Primera Guerra Mundial, en 1919. La iglesia fue construida con fondos procedentes exclusivamente de una suscripción popular.
Es uno de los monumentos más visitados de la ciudad parisina.
Arquitectura
La planta del edificio está más central que basilical. Tiene forma de cruz griega, adornada con cuatro cúpulas: el domo central, de 80 m. de altura, está tocado por una linterna, formada por una columnata. En el ábside, una inmensa torre cuadrada hace las veces de campanario que guarda, entre otras, la Savoyarde, una campana de 3 m de diámetro y de 18.550 kilogramos de peso, ofrecida por la diócesis de Chambéry. La cripta posee la misma disposición que la iglesia, y es una de las curiosidades de la basílica.
La arquitectura se inspira en la arquitectura romana y bizantina e influyó en otros edificios religiosos del siglo XX, como la basílica de Sainte-Thérèse de Lisieux. Es posible acceder a la basílica tomando el funicular de Montmartre.
es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bas%C3%ADlica_del_Sagrado_Coraz%C3%...
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica and often simply Sacré-Cœur (French: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, pronounced [sakʁe kœʁ]), is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, France. A popular landmark, the basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. Sacré-Cœur is a double monument, political and cultural, both a national penance for the defeat of France in the 1871 Franco-Prussian War and the socialist Paris Commune of 1871[1] crowning its most rebellious neighborhood, and an embodiment of conservative moral order, publicly dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was an increasingly popular vision of a loving and sympathetic Christ.[2]
The Sacré-Cœur Basilica was designed by Paul Abadie. Construction began in 1875 and was finished in 1914. It was consecrated after the end of World War I in 1919.
The inspiration for Sacré Cœur's design originated on September 4, 1870, the day of the proclamation of the Third Republic, with a speech by Bishop Fournier attributing the defeat of French troops during the Franco-Prussian War to a divine punishment after "a century of moral decline" since the French Revolution, in the wake of the division in French society that arose in the decades following that revolution, between devout Catholics and legitimist royalists on one side,[3] and democrats, secularists, socialists and radicals on the other. This schism in the French social order became particularly pronounced after the 1870 withdrawal of the French military garrison protecting the Vatican in Rome to the front of the Franco-Prussian War by Napoleon III,[4] the secular uprising of the Paris Commune of 1870-1871, and the subsequent 1871 defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War.
Though today the Basilica is asserted[5][when?] to be dedicated in honor of the 58,000 who lost their lives during the war, the decree of the Assemblée nationale, 24 July 1873, responding to a request by the archbishop of Paris by voting its construction, specifies that it is to "expiate the crimes of the Commune".[6] Montmartre had been the site of the Commune's first insurrection, and the Communards had executed Georges Darboy, Archbishop of Paris, who became a martyr for the resurgent Catholic Church. His successor Guibert, climbing the Butte Montmartre in October 1872, was reported to have had a vision, as clouds dispersed over the panorama: "It is here, it is here where the martyrs are,[7] it is here that the Sacred Heart must reign so that it can beckon all to come".[8]
In the moment of inertia following the resignation of the government of Adolphe Thiers, 24 May 1873, François Pie, bishop of Poitiers, expressed the national yearning for spiritual renewal— "the hour of the Church has come"—[9] that would be expressed through the "Government of Moral Order" of the Third Republic, which linked Catholic institutions with secular ones, in "a project of religious and national renewal, the main features of which were the restoration of monarchy and the defense of Rome within a cultural framework of official piety",[10] of which Sacré-Cœur is the chief lasting triumphalist[11] monument.
The decree voting its construction as a "matter of public utility", 24 July,[12] followed close on Thiers' resignation. The project was expressed by the Church as a National Vow (Voeu national) and financial support came from parishes throughout France. The dedicatory inscription records the Basilica as the accomplishment of a vow by Alexandre Legentil and Hubert Rohault de Fleury, ratified by Joseph-Hippolyte Guibert, Archbishop of Paris. The project took many years to complete,
The overall style of the structure shows a free interpretation of Romano-Byzantine features, an unusual architectural vocabulary at the time, which was a conscious reaction against the neo-Baroque excesses of the Palais Garnier, which was cited in the competition.[18] Many design elements of the basilica symbolise nationalist themes: the portico, with its three arches, is adorned by two equestrian statues of French national saints Joan of Arc (1927) and King Saint Louis IX, both executed in bronze by Hippolyte Lefebvre; and the nineteen-ton Savoyarde bell (one of the world's heaviest), cast in 1895 in Annecy, alludes to the annexation of Savoy in 1860.
Sacré-Cœur is built of travertine stone quarried in Château-Landon (Seine-et-Marne), France. This stone constantly exudes calcite, which ensures that the basilica remains white even with weathering and pollution.
A mosaic in the apse, entitled Christ in Majesty, created by Luc-Olivier Merson, is among the largest in the world.
The basilica complex includes a garden for meditation, with a fountain. The top of the dome is open to tourists and affords a spectacular panoramic view of the city of Paris, which is mostly to the south of the basilica.
The use of cameras and video recorders is forbidden inside the Basilica.
Access
The Basilica is accessible by bus. Buses 30, 31, 80, and 85 can be taken to the bottom of the hill of the Basilica. Line 12 of the metro can be taken to Jules Joffrin station and visitors can then change to the Montmartrobus and disembark at Place du Tertre. Line 2 or 12 of the metro can be taken to Pigalle station where visitors can change to the Montmartrobus and disembark at Norvins, or to Anvers station which gives easy access to the steps or the funicular car that lead directly to the Basilica.
Sacré-Cœur is open from 06:00 to 22:30 every day. The dome is accessible from 09:00 to 19:00 in the summer and 18:00 in the winter.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacr%C3%A9-C%C5%93ur,_Paris
La basilique du Sacré-Cœur, dite du Vœu national, située au sommet de la butte Montmartre, dans le 18e arrondissement de Paris, est un édifice religieux parisien majeur.
La construction de cette église, monument à la fois politique et culturel, suit l'après-guerre de 1870. Elle est déclarée d'utilité publique par une loi votée le 24 juillet 1873 par l'Assemblée nationale de 1871. Elle s'inscrit dans le cadre d'un nouvel « ordre moral » faisant suite aux événements de la Commune de Paris, dont Montmartre fut un des hauts lieux. Avec près de 11 millions de pèlerins et visiteurs par an, c'est le second monument religieux parisien le plus visité après la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Depuis longtemps la colline de Montmartre a été un lieu de culte : paganisme gaulois supposé puis temples gallo-romains dédiés à Mercure et probablement à Mars ; culte chrétien après le martyre de l'évêque Denis au IIIe siècle, chapelle surmontant la crypte du martyrium de saint Denis, construction au XIIe siècle de l'église Saint-Pierre, parmi les plus anciennes de Paris, pour l’abbaye royale de Montmartre par le roi Louis VI et sa femme Adélaïde de Savoie. Le nom de la colline de Montmartre vient probablement du nom du lieu, Mons Martis(mont de Mars). L'église de Montmartre qui s'est substituée aux temples romains a été élevée en l'honneur des saints martyrs saint Denis, Rustique et Éleuthère décapités selon la légende3 sur la colline et dont une chapelle, située sur le flanc sud de la butte, devait commémorer le lieu traditionnel du supplice, en prenant le nom de Saint-Martyre. Le mont de Mars a donc pu être réinterprété vers le IXe siècle en Mont des Martyrs (Mons Martyrum), puis par dérivation populaire en « mont de martre », martre signifiant « martyr » en ancien français4. La substitution toponymique du mont païen par le mont chrétien reste cependant hypothétique et la double étymologie (mont de Mars et mont des Martyrs) est encore actuellement traditionnellement proposée. Il faudrait, « pour pouvoir trancher la question, savoir comment le peuple, dans son langage parlé, appelait cette colline avant le IXe siècle, puisque c'est à cette époque que les documents écrits enregistrèrent le changement de nom.
Le 16 juin 1875, le cardinal Guibert pose la première pierre (un marbre rose) de la basilique, non loin de l'ancien moulin de la galette, d'où le surnom donné à la basilique par le peuple de Montmartre, « Notre Dame de la Galette »24.
Des mois sont nécessaires afin de consolider les fondations : les galeries souterraines et les effondrements de terrain imposent la construction de 83 puits d'une profondeur de trente-trois mètres. Remplis de béton et reliés par des arcs, ils font office de pilier qui vont cherche la couche solide sous la glaise25. Dès le 3 mars 1876, l'archevêque de Paris inaugure à côté des travaux une chapelle provisoire. En 1878 débute l'édification de la crypte et en 1881 celle de la basilique. L'intérieur de la nef est inauguré le 5 juin 189126. Les vitraux posés entre 1903 et 1920, sont détruits pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale et remplacés par des vitraux contemporains. Le campanile (clocher haut de 90 mètres) est terminé en 1912, mais il faut attendre 1914 pour que l'ensemble de la façade soit achevé. La consécration, initialement prévue le 17 octobre 1914, est reportée à cause de l'entrée en guerre. Elle a lieu le 16 octobre 1919, célébrée par le cardinal Vico, en présence du cardinal Amette, archevêque de Paris, et de nombreux évêques, dignitaires ecclésiastiques, membres du clergé, personnalités civiles et simples fidèles. L'église est alors érigée en basilique mineure27. Le bâtiment est officiellement achevé en 192328 avec la finition de la décoration intérieure, notamment les mosaïques de l'abside29. Les années 1930 voient le début de la construction des annexes, sacristie, bureaux et dortoir pour accueillir les pèlerins.
La basilique n'est pas construite selon le plan basilical traditionnel. Elle est en forme de croix grecque, ornée de quatre coupoles. La coupole centrale a une hauteur sous clef de voûte de 54,94 m et un diamètre de 16 mètres ; son dôme central, haut de 83 m (c'était le point le plus élevé de Paris avant la construction de la Tour Eiffel), est surmonté d'un lanterneau formé d'une colonnade. Un escalier en colimaçon de 237 marches permet d'accéder à la galerie intérieure et extérieure de ce dôme, la première offrant une vue sur l'intérieur de l'église et la seconde un panorama circulaire sur 30 km par temps claire31. Le style éclectique architectural de l'édifice, s'inspirant de l'architecture romane, de l'architecture byzantine, et particulièrement de la cathédrale Saint-Front de Périgueux, a influencé plusieurs autres édifices religieux du XXe siècle (basilique Sainte-Thérèse de Lisieux par exemple).
Contrairement à la plupart des églises qui ont traditionnellement une orientation Est-Ouest, celle de la basilique est Nord-Sud, tournée vers le centre de Paris, plus particulièrement de Notre-Dame qui est située dans l'alignement de l'édifice.[réf. souhaitée]
La pierre blanche retenue pour la construction est un travertin qui provient des carrières de Château-Landon et de Souppes-sur-Loing (les pierres de l'Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile ont la même origine)32. Elle a été retenue par l'architecte Paul Abadie pour ses qualités de dureté et d'auto-nettoiement au contact de l'eau, ce calcaire exsudant du calcite, ce qui garde la teinte blanche de la pierre. La basilique repose sur le gypse au moyen de piliers qui traversent les marnes et les sables sus-jacents33.
À l'intérieur, le plafond de l'abside est décoré de la plus grande mosaïque de France (Émaux de Briare), couvrant une surface de 473,78 m2. Conçue par Luc-Olivier Merson et exécutée de 1918 à 1922 par les ateliers Guilbert-Martin, elle représente le Sacré-Cœur de Jésus glorifié par l’église catholique et la France. À sa base on peut lire une phrase en latin signifiant : « Au Cœur très saint de Jésus, la France fervente, pénitente et reconnaissante. »
Une immense tour carrée servant de clocher renferme, entre autres, la plus grosse cloche de France. Baptisée la Savoyarde, elle a été fondue à Annecy en 1895 par les frères Paccard. Elle mesure 3 mètres de diamètre et pèse 18 835 kg. Quant à son support, il pèse 7 380 kg. Le marteau qui la frappe pèse quant à lui 1 200 kg. Symbole nationaliste rappelant l'Annexion de la Savoie, elle fut offerte à la basilique par les quatre diocèses de la Savoie, et arriva sur la butte le 16 octobre 1895, ce qui fut un événement parisien.
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilique_du_Sacr%C3%A9-C%C5%93ur_d...
. . . dawn
Sadly, the facts are that most Thai beaches are not maintained in any way at all. Care of the environment just does not figure into the mentality.
Normally I do my best to pp out the damage, but what the f*ck*ng h*ck: if Thailand doesn't care, why should I?
A real Thai beach shot for your edification. Thankfully I didn't use the wide-angle.
But, hey, what a sunrise . . . . .
San Marco in Lamis Gargano Puglia Italia©2015 All rights reserved
FotoSketcher lively
Nikon coolpix p 7100
San Marco in Lamis è un comune italiano di 13.928 abitanti della provincia di Foggia, in Puglia.
San Marco in Lamis è nota soprattutto per la tradizionale Processione delle "fracchie", una manifestazione religiosa popolare molto suggestiva e assai singolare, che si ripete puntualmente da circa tre secoli ogni venerdì Santo per la rievocazione della Passione di Cristo, e che, ogni anno, richiama un grande afflusso di forestieri. Le fracchie sono delle enormi fiaccole, realizzate con grossi tronchi di albero di quercia o castagno aperti longitudinalmente a forma di cono e riempiti di legna, per essere incendiate all'imbrunire e divenire quindi dei falò ambulanti che illuminano il cammino della Madonna Addolorata lungo le strade del paese alla ricerca del figlio Gesù morto.Sembra che le origini di questo rito risalgano ai primi anni del XVIII secolo, epoca di edificazione della chiesa dell'Addolorata e le sue ragioni, oltre che di ordine religioso e devozionale, vadano collegate anche ad una motivazione di ordine pratico riconducibile alle precise condizioni fisiche dell'abitato. Infatti, quando venne costruita (1717), la chiesa dell'Addolorata si trovava fuori del centro abitato e lì sarebbe rimasta fino all'ultimo ventennio del XIX secolo. Una collocazione questa che sollecitò la fantasia degli abitanti, i quali pensarono di illuminare con le "fracchie" la strada che la Madonna percorreva dalla sua chiesa fino alla Collegiata, dove era custodito il corpo del Cristo. Le “fracchie più grandi possono essere lunghe anche 13-14 metri e pesare anche 60-70 quintali di legno di quercia , castagno o abete .
da wikipedia
San Marco in Lamis is a town of 13,928 citizens in the Italian province of Foggia, Puglia, Italy.
San Marco in Lamis is a town of 13.928 citizens and comune in the province of Foggia in the Apulia region of southeast Italy. It is located in the Gargano massif area.Apart from some tourism conted to pilgrimages at the local Catholic sanctuary of St. Matthew, the economy is mostly based on agriculture.San Marco in Lamis is known for the traditional procession of "fracchie", a very popular religious manifestation suggestive and very singular, that is repeated regularly from about three centuries each friday Saint for the reenactment of the passion of Christ, and that each year draws a large influx of foreigners. The fracchie are huge torches, made with large trees oak opened longitudinally cone-shaped and filled with wood, to be burned at dusk and become so a itinerant bonfires that illuminate the journey of our Lady of Sorrows along the roads of the country in search of the son Jesus died.It seems that the origins of this rite dates back to the early 18th century, a time of edification of the Church of our Lady of sorrows and his reasons as well as religious and devotional order, should be connected to a practical motivation due to precise physical conditions of the town. In fact, when it was built (1717), the Church of our Lady of Sorrows was out of town and would remain there until the last two decades of the 19th century. A bin that solicited the imagination of the inhabitants, whom they thought to illuminate with the "fracchie" the way that she ran from her church until the collegiate, where he guarded the body of Christ. The"Fracchia" can also get the length of 13-14 meters and weigh 60-70 quintals of wood of oak. From wikipedia
Le projet d'édifier une mosquée à la Réunion date du début des années 1890. Il est le fait de commerçants originaires du Gujarat arrivés dans l'île deux ou trois décennies auparavant en provenance notamment de Surat. Le 20 avril 1892, six d'entre eux (agissant au nom d'environ 120 autres) acquièrent un immeuble au 111, rue du Grand-Chemin, devenue depuis rue du Maréchal-Leclerc. Il servira de lieu de culte informel pendant dix ans. En 1897, le gouverneur Beauchamp autorise l'édification d'une mosquée à cette adresse. Financée par une caisse alimentée par une somme forfaitaire prélevée sur les bénéfices des commerçants impliqués, sa construction selon les plans d'un ingénieur indien dure sept ans. Inaugurée le 28 novembre 1905, soit 21 ans avant celle de Paris, sa façade principale fait 15 mètres de long et la salle de prière peut contenir 150 fidèles. En 1960, des travaux d'agrandissement sont entrepris après acquisition d'une parcelle mitoyenne. Le nouveau bâtiment, inauguré le 3 août 1962, est partiellement ravagé par un incendie probablement déclenché par un court-circuit à l'étage d'un local commercial voisin le 12 octobre 1974. La façade en bois brûle complètement. La communauté musulmane de Saint-Denis se mobilise à nouveau pour financer de nouveaux travaux. Doté d'une façade commerciale longue de 38 mètres de long, le nouveau bâtiment est livré en 1979. La photo ci-dessus le représente donc peu de temps après son ouverture.
The project to build a mosque in Reunion dates from the early 1890s. It is the work of traders from Gujarat who arrived on the island two or three decades ago from Surat. On April 20, 1892, six of them (acting on behalf of about 120 others) acquired a building at 111, rue du Grand-Chemin, which had since become rue du Maréchal-Leclerc. It will serve as an informal place of worship for ten years. In 1897, Governor Beauchamp authorized the construction of a mosque at this address. Funded by a fund fed by a lump sum levied on the profits of traders involved, its construction according to the plans of an Indian engineer lasts seven years. Inaugurated on November 28, 1905, 21 years before that of Paris, its main facade is 15 meters long and the prayer room can hold 150 people. In 1960, expansion works are undertaken after acquisition of a semi-detached plot. The new building, inaugurated on August 3, 1962, is partially ravaged by a fire probably triggered by a short circuit on the floor of a nearby commercial space on October 12, 1974. The wooden facade burns completely. The Muslim community of Saint-Denis is mobilizing again to finance new work. With a commercial facade of 38 meters long, the new building is delivered in 1979. The photo above represents it not much time after its opening.
[Photo prise avec un Nikon FG-20]
I set photos that resonate as my desktop background, to rotate through a type of personal favourites portfolio. These stately buildings and the fall colours struck me, almost a year later …
(7 Oct 2013: I know I need to either use software to pull the top of the building a bit forward to be straight, and/or invest a small fortune in a tilt-shift lens ... 9 Oct 2013: Done with DXO software)
This is from Harvard, where I was fortunate to attend the Value-based Healthcare seminar offered by Porter (of Competition fame) and Kaplan (of Activity-based Costing fame). I was skeptical and left a convert to the rigour of the Harvard methodology, however lightly imparted in the seminar ("If this were a full MBA, I'd grill you about not knowing the case well enough" said Kaplan at one point to the hapless class.) I also found both Porter and Kaplan warm and receptive as teachers.
Porter said they'd tried "all the technology" but found chalk boards were still the best. He seemed to have one or two full-time personal assistants at his disposal, bringing him copies of papers etc as well as a non-stop flow of diet/regular coke and walnuts. Kaplan, on the second morning got into a state of what I would describe as Csikszentmihalyi-like flow and was talking about the origins of his work; a bit hard to explain but there was a kind of intense concentration. Everyone was focused.
Some quotes:
“Doctors think they are like wine; they getter better with age” - Course participant
“Some academics think the same.” - Kaplan
"This is all bullshit. We don't know the outcomes. We don't know the costs." - Porter on the overall state of [American] healthcare.
"This is a little different from Toyota making cars better" - Porter on why it mattered to do the work
“Better to be approximately correct rather than absolutely wrong” - Kaplan on measurement
“With four-digit accuracy it is hard to imagine the first digit could be wrong” - Kaplan on the need to focus on order of magnitude calculations.
“To collect the data ask 'what were you doing' and 'how much time did you spend'? When we compared this approach with results from automated systems, such as in an OR that capture time automatically, there was a surprising similarity." - Kaplan on why he is now satisfied with just asking people vs a scientific Tayloresque approach of using stop watches and the like.
“When we compared surgeons time to complete a total knee replacement in Germany it took 43 minutes. In the US it also took 43 minutes. The German surgeon completed seven surgeries a day while the US surgeon completed three.” - Kaplan on externalities
“We use eminence-based decision making but we need evidence-based decision making” - course participant.
I suppose Malcolm Muggeridge is a forgotten figure these days. He was the son of a Labour Member of Parliament, at whose home Ramsay MacDonald was an occasional guest. After coming down from Cambridge he went to teaching posts in India and Egypt. From Cairo he began to submit reports to the Manchester Guardian and was eventually taken on by the paper's famous editor, C P Scott. At this stage a wide-eyed enthusiast of the Socialist experiment, he travelled to Moscow in 1932 as the Guardian's correspondent, taking his wife and intending to settle permanently in Stalin's earthly paradise. His tenure coincided with the famine which, as a deliberate act of policy, starved to death five million Ukrainians and a quarter of the population of Kazakhstan. The scales rapidly fell from Muggeridge's eyes. Furthermore he was appalled by the credulity of visiting western VIPs such as George Bernard Shaw or Eleanor Roosevelt, and disgusted by the corrupt falsifications of journalists such as Walter Duranty of the New York Times. Muggeridge was one of the first to publish a truthful account of conditions in the Soviet Union, getting his reports out of the country by diplomatic bag. The Guardian published them in toned-down form; Muggeridge, of course, quickly found himself persona non grata and was expelled from Moscow.
Following a spell at the Calcutta Statesman and wartime service in Intelligence, he established himself in Fleet Street, becoming editor of Punch. At this time he began to appear on television ...a medium he held in the utmost contempt... soon becoming a "household name". His fame grew until, eventually, he enjoyed a worldwide reputation as a kind of public sceptic. Coming to him in the late 1960s I tried to see all his television stuff. There was a weekly programme ...on Sunday evenings, I think... called The Question Why, and countless appearances on The Book Programme and as a pundit on various telly "panels". He was a great formative bad influence, making it quite impossible for me, thank goodness, to become a useful, productive member of society. Two biographies were published after his death, one by an American admirer, Gregory Wolfe, and one by Richard Ingrams, who was his friend and to some extent his protégé. From the latter book we learn that Mugg's private behaviour was often despicable. There were infidelities on both sides of the marriage, his wife bearing a son by another man; but Mugg conducted affairs with the wives of his two greatest friends, Hesketh Pearson and Hugh Kingsmill ...notwithstanding that he despised Dorothy Kingsmill... and with the wife of a neighbour. On one occasion, in the presence of her husband, he "made a pass" at a woman under a restaurant table. The man stood up, slapped Muggeridge across the face, gathered up his wife and stormed out.
To the extent that he is remembered at all, Mugg is probably best known to the public as the champion of Mother Teresa. It was a documentary programme of his that first brought her to the world's attention. At the end of his life he was received into the Catholic church, sponsored by Lord Longford. Many of his admirers deplored the new "religious" Muggeridge. Certainly this period of Mugg's career interests me less. Perhaps it's just that, although one may admire a man for his virtue, one doesn't like him for it. And, of course, no one wants to read about goodness and rectitude ...it's just not very entertaining. As time went on one tended to know in advance what he was going to say, and tired of being told that he saw himself, "in St Augustine's phrase", as a vendor of words; or that he saw his role on television as akin to that of the pianist in a bordello who occasionally slips in Abide With Me for the edification of the patrons. In old age he lost his mind and died at a nursing home in Hastings. And yet, and yet ...how right he was about almost everything, and how rapier-like in his judgement of public men. Unassailable sacred cows such as Winston Churchill, Sidney and Beatrice Webb or D H Lawrence lay smouldering in ruins. One forgets the sheer exhilaration one felt upon reading one of his jeremiads, back when he was at the peak of his powers. How one agreed, and how badly these things needed saying.
Anyway ...to get to the point... I possess a secondhand copy of one of Mugg's lesser-known books, The Thirties (Hamish Hamilton, London, 1940). I can't remember where I bought it or when, but probably some time during the 90s. I've picked it up a few times and have read the Introduction. The other day I decided to take it to work as canteen reading. Turning it over in my hand in the staff car park at the start of another fun-packed day, two pieces of paper dropped out from inside the back cover. I'd never seen them before. One was a newspaper "profile" (coinciding with the publication of one of Mugg's late, "religious" books) by Tim Heald, almost certainly from the Daily Telegraph and dated 31/08/75. The other was this reply to an importunate letter inviting him to address an audience of schoolchildren. I would conjecture that the original letter was sent by the first owner of the book, presumably the headmaster of Lowlands Junior School. One or other of Mugg's children settled in Canada, I think. It was a nice thing to find and will go nicely with my only other item of Muggeridgiana, a copy of Hugh Kingsmill's anthology More Invective, inscribed "To Dorothy" (Kingsmill's wife?) and carrying Mugg's bookplate ...not a particularly good one.
After a 6 mile hike through my favorite canyon, and an additional half a mile or so of bushwhacking and cliff hugging I stumbled upon this scene just as a deep gorge opened up. Behind me is a crystal clear pool about 10 feet deep, and further down the way is another about 15 feet deep. What an amazing place!
View large, thanks!
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Prints available: florisvanbreugel.smugmug.com/
Adventures for your entertainment and edification: artinnature.wordpress.com/
Amiens, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, édification 1220-1228. Une des chapelles de l'édifice, vue de la chapelle St Joseph
Blooming Brittlebush from Anza Borrego, minutes before the direct sun graced the flowers.
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Prints available: florisvanbreugel.smugmug.com/
Adventures for your entertainment and edification: artinnature.wordpress.com/
Fortitude Valley was always a “mixed” place. It was known as one of the poorest areas in Brisbane, but it was also home to the middle classes. It had industry, retail, shipping and working girls; it had religious institutions and social reformers; it had “street boys” and street sweepers; and it had an increasing number of citizens who wondered what might change, what needed to change.
In 1907, too, more and more working class women were doing paid work; just as a number of middle class women were extending their own skills and political concerns outside the home. Of course, there were activist working women too. But a group of reformers who lived in and around “Poverty Valley” were concerned with the life of the street; were worried about how these women would look after their children; and believed in intervention and in the role of reform through both activity and edification. And there, on the corner of Brunswick and Ivory Streets – where there’s now a collection of nightclubs, host to occasional headline-making behaviour – was a tobacco factory that had just closed down. The smell of tobacco had gone, but so had a significant number of jobs.
One of the leaders of this group of change-artists, was an American-born Congregationist minister with the unlikely name of Loyal Wirt. Wirt, and some of his cronies – both women and men, in a period when these stories tended to be hung on the hook of one male leader – decided they wanted to do something. Together, they formed the Brisbane Institute of Social Service, and they wanted a place to act as an antidote to the mean streets. A site for a boys club, a girls club, a crèche and a kindergarten, at the very least. So they approached the owners of the now-closed tobacco factory, and asked if they could rent the space. To their surprise, they were given the space for free, for a while at least, and off they went.
Further reading here:
www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/childcare-centre-closes-valley-hi...
(State Library of Qld blog)
Remember the word "edify?" (to encourage intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement). It's become an abandoned word now, but just as we must be careful about what we eat and take into our bodies, so we must be careful what we read or watch and take into our minds. As we become what we eat—physically healthy or unhealthy according to our choices—so we become what we read and watch, spiritually healthy or unhealthy according to our choices. Are we consuming media "junk food," pleasant to the taste for the moment, but with little or no nutrition in it and long-term unhealthy effects on our spirits, or filtering it out in a quest for spiritual edification, knowledge and understanding to make for a richer and more complete life? Are we feeding our bodies but starving our souls?
My favorite rocks in the Alabama Hills, under a wild lenticular cloud.
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Prints available: http://artinnaturephotography.com/
Adventures for your entertainment and edification: artinnature.wordpress.com/
The KOM League
Flash Report
for
10/11/2021
With the passage of a few weeks, without sharing a Flash Report, it was decided that an attempt should be made to write one to prove to myself that it is still possible. Now that the attempt has been made it is up to the readership to see if the decision to do so is worth their time. To check on it go to: www.flickr.com/photos/60428361@N07/51578375103/
Unfortunately, the majority of items coming to my attention deal with former players having had their final birthday.
Edward Morgenthaler-1949 Chanute, Kansas Athletics
www.schrader.com/obituary/ed-morgenthaler (St. Louis, MO)
Morgenthaler, Ed, born May 27, 1929, passed peacefully at home on September 29, 2021.
Beloved husband of Catherine Morgenthaler who passed away June 3, 1973, and Oretta Morgenthaler who passed away May 8, 2012. Devoted father of daughter, Rita Marsh (Dave) and son, Edward Morgenthaler (Paula). Loving grandfather of Jennifer Marsh, Thomas Marsh, John Marsh, Howard Morgenthaler and Sean Morgenthaler.
Our father had a large, quiet, stoic presence about him. A person regarded and respected by all as a man of honor and faith. He spoke without speaking. All the while, he lived an incredible journey wrapped around athletics, service to his country, law enforcement and family.
A member of the McBride High School Sports Hall of Fame and four-time medal winner at the International Police Olympics; he signed with the New York (San Francisco) Giants organization at the age of 16. Later he served four years as a MP in the United States Air Force where he was stationed in Europe as a member of the Armed Forces European Baseball Team. A graduate of the FBI Academy, he spent over 35 years in the Clayton Police Department many of which under the rank of Captain. Nothing made our dad happier than just enjoying a cold beer while taking in a game with family and friends.
Services: Funeral Mass at Christ Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Monday, October 18, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Heart Association. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.
On the following two links are “posed” and “casual photos of the 1949 Chanute Athletics in which Mr. Morgenthaler appears.
www.flickr.com/photos/60428361@N07/20215377659/
www.flickr.com/photos/60428361@N07/42418276610/
In order to find out where Mr. Morgenthaler is in those two photos the narrative below that photo in a long ago Flash Report will have to be perused.
Although communication with Morgenthaler was not as voluminous as with some former players he always notified me of former KOM leaguers in the St. Louis metro area who passed away.
________________________________________________
Richard McCoy- 1948-49 Ponca City Dodgers
roedermortuary.com/richard-c-mccoy-sr/
Richard Carl “Dick” McCoy, Sr., 92 years of age. Dick was born the only child to Carl and Irene McCoy on September 7, 1929. He attended grade school in Omaha and graduated from Omaha North High School in 1947. Dick was very active in sports, playing baseball and basketball.
He married his high school sweetheart Molly Steck on February 6, 1949. Dick played professional AAA baseball with the Dodger organization. He played in the first game held at Rosenblatt Stadium in1948 and was honored at the last game in 2010. In 1956, Dick joined the Omaha Fire Department where he retired as a Captain in 1986. After retiring, he worked part-time at Wynne Transport, which was owned by Don Wynne, a grade school friend.
He cherished his grandchildren and always gave them advice and $20 for tacos. “Accuracy, Not Speed” was one of his reminders to them.
Dick and Molly enjoyed many family vacations, camping and gardening. They enjoyed RV traveling with their friends and grandkids and made several trips to Lopez Island, WA to see their son Rick and his family.
Dick was quite a historian with many baseball stories and memorabilia. They traveled to KOM baseball reunions to reunite with former players.
Tiger Tom’s Pub is where you would find Dick and Molly. Chatting with friends and playing Keno. The staff and customers always enjoy Molly’s baked goods.
We are grateful to the doctors and nurses at UNMC and the staff at Hillcrest Hospice who guided his care so his wish to remain at home could be fulfilled.
Preceded in death by parents, Earl “Carl” and Irene McCoy. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 72 years, Molly. Sons Rick (Marge) McCoy, Lopez Island WA. Marc (Jodi) McCoy, Bennington NE. Daughter Vicki (Steve) Jensen of Omaha.
Grandchildren, Doug (Heidi) Taylor, Burien, WA, Megan McCoy, Lopez Island, WA,
Evan (Cambree) McCoy, Everett, WA, Jared (Alyse) Jensen, Omaha, NE, Jenna Jensen, Lincoln, NE, Heather McCoy, Omaha, NE, Colton McCoy, USMC Cherry Point, NC.
Great-grandchildren, Carson McCoy, Beckham Jensen, Montgomery Jensen, Jaia Merriam.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Northwest Hills Church. Visitation 5-7PM Friday (10/8/21) at Roeder Mortuary, 2727 N. 108th St. Funeral Service 10AM Saturday (10/9/21) at Northwest Hills Church, 9334 Fort St.
Comments:
Thanks John You are great seeing so many of our friends go to the better place and we all will join them some day. Dick and I where so lucky to have each other for so long but it is really heard o say goodbye for awhile but I will meet him again. Thank you again for your kind words. Molly McCoy
Ed comment:
Note from Molly McCoy which had to be difficult to write. If I was up to the drive I’d attend the funeral. Dick would have done the same for me.
I mentioned to Molly that we hadn’t seen each other since the 60th wedding anniversary celebration. That was the reason for the 72 years plus statement.
Dick had many close friends but the two closest were Pepper Martin and Boyd Bartley.
Both were his managers but what really formed the bond was their love of fishing.
Jack Morris—Baseball necrologist
I’m sorry to bring you the news of Dick McCoy’s death. Since it specifically mentions traveling to the KOM League reunions in his obituary, I’m sure you know him quite well.
Jack Morris
Note to Boyd Bartley’s daughter
Judith, I know of no other former Ponca City Dodger who liked your dad as much as Dick McCoy did. I think being fellow fishermen helped. Judith Fisher—Daughter of the late Boyd Bartley.
Ed comments
Since the inception of writing about the KOM league contact has been constant between the McCoy family and Yours truly. Dick and Molly shared many photos of the early days of the Ponca City Dodgers and had great stories to back them up.
Whenever there was a KOM league event you could count on the McCoy’s to be there to reunite with a very close knit of Dick’s former teammates. Looking back I believe the teams managed by Boyd Bartley kept in contact more-so that any other organization represented in the KOM league with the Independence Yankees running a close second. The Dodgers and Yankees of that era were first class organizations.
Many times McCoy would call and ask if I could assist him in finding a former teammate he knew from his days in Miami, Florida- Pueblo Colorado-Ft. Worth, Texas, Oakland, California or Ponca City. We always tracked down that person with one notable exception—Elroy “Straight” Face. He was the former Dodger the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted who become a star pitcher. Face was not that difficult to find but he never got in touch with McCoy.
It was a joy to become acquainted with the McCoy family, including his mother, Irene, who lived to be 104. At the 60th wedding anniversary for Dick and Molly they extended an invitation for me to attend. Irene was in an independent living facility where the McCoy’s arranged guest accommodations for those coming from out of town to their anniversary celebration.
At this event former Ponca City Dodger, Joe Beran, and I were roommates. Irene invited us to breakfast the next morning which she prepared and it was excellent. She remembered Beran from being her son’s teammate in 1948 and quizzed him about most of the aspects of his life since that time. Some of the questions were quite pointed but “Gentleman Joe” handled each in stride.
One of the projects Dick McCoy asked for my assistance was helping him get rid of a rather large, valuable and unique collection of baseball memorabilia. It was mentioned in the early editions of the paper newsletter that used to makes its rounds through the postal service, sometimes arriving at the intended destination. Wouldn’t suffice to attempt to mention all that was in that collection but it was historical even down to the first baseball cap that had a inner lining. It was developed by a John Hopkins professor, at the request of Branch Rickey. Rickey was concerned over the fact that Pete Reiser hit almost as many balls with his head as he did with the Louisville Slugger.
After a few weeks of promoting it was possible to find a buyer for McCoy’s collection and it wound up in the hands of a baseball card shop right here in Columbia, Mo. I used to go in and look at it once in a while wishing I owned it. But, the fellow who purchased the collection did give me the Ponca City Dodger cap with the plastic liner which is a treasure, to me.
However, over the years my greatest joy and reward has not been in having the physical relics of the past but having made the acquaintance and in some cases friends with many of the big guys who played baseball in the KOM league when I was a little boy and I do mean little.
Post script.
McCoy knew hundreds of former players and managers. He formed a mutual bond with two of his managers, Boyd Bartley and Pepper Martin. If there was anything those guys liked more than baseball it was fishing. Since McCoy also an angler the friendships were lasting. During the 1950 baseball season, at Miami Beach, Martin and McCoy put together what amounted to be an amphibious boat. At the conclusion of the season McCoy pulled that “contraption” to Oklahoma, for Martin, and then went on home to Omaha. ________________________________________________
Family necrology of the Boyer family
Since a lot of misinformation has existed for many years, regarding the Boyer family’s birth places, this is for the benefit of those who keep up with such things for historical purposes as it relates to professional baseball.
•
ALBA, Mo. - Chester Vern Boyer, 78, patriarch of Missouri's No. 1 baseball family, died at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday at Freeman Hospital in Joplin where he had been a patient since Nov 13.
Born Oct 14, 1903 at Arbella, Mo., Mr. Boyer had resided in Alba the last 40 years, moving there from nearby Cossville. He served four terms as mayor and also was a member of the Alba Board of Education. Boyer was a retired employee of the Locarni Quarry in Carthage.
He was active in Little League baseball and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jasper.
All seven sons of Vern and Mable Agnes Boyer signed professional baseball contracts and three of them played in the major leagues.
Cloyd Boyer of Webb City pitched for St. Louis and Kansas City in the major leagues and managed and coached in the minor leagues prior to coaching stints with the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. He is now pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals.
Kenton Boyer, St. Louis, was an all-star third baseman with the St. Louis Cardinals and later managed the Cardinals. He recently signed to manage the Cardinals triple-A farm club at Louisville, Ky., for the 1982 season.
Clete Boyer, Atlanta, Georgia was signed to a bonus contract with the Kansas City Athletics in 1955 but was an all-star third baseman for the New York Yankees. He is currently third base coach for the Oakland A's.
The other sons, Wayne, Kokomo, Ind.; Leonard and Ron, both of Webb City, and Lynn, Independence, Mo., all played minor league baseball.
Other survivors include six daughters, Mrs. Juanita Woodmansee, Mrs. Pansy Schell and Mrs. Barbara McNary all of Alba, Mrs. Delorse (sp) Webb, Jasper, Mrs. Shirley Lockhart, Fayetteville, Ark., and Mrs. Marcella Dabbs, Oronogo; a sister, Mrs. Velma Ligon, Tuscon, Ariz.; 41 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Boyer was preceded in death by his wife on Nov. 24, 1971.
Services for Mr. Boyer will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Hedge-Lewis Funeral home in Webb City. Lincoln York, minister, will officiate. Burial will be in Friend's Cemetery at Purcell.
From this point forward please click on the URLs or you will miss the total import of this section of the report.
www.jaspercountyschools.org/r/id42.htm Alba Rosebank School photo 1936-37
www.jaspercountyschools.org/r/id43.htm Rosebank school 1936-37
www.findagrave.com/memorial/93319797/chester-vern-boyer
More historical data. It includes the best family photo I have ever come across along with links to the passing of the Boyer children.
www.shirleyandstout.com/obituary/DrMilton-Boyer/
masonwoodard.com/book-of-memories/2669506/boyer-lewis/obi...
www.findagrave.com/memorial/112213263/leonard-eugene-boyer
www.findagrave.com/memorial/19721029/clete-l.-boyer
www.findagrave.com/memorial/123079829/lela-thelma-boyer
www.findagrave.com/memorial/169871219/juanita-l-woodmansee
In the photo accompanying the last issue of this report of the 1939 Rosebank grade school baseball team the teacher and coach Carl Aris Parker, was shown. Parker was the 20-year old teacher, from Nashville, MO at that one room school which had an attendance of over 30 students which the links cited depict.
Carl Parker became Dr. Carl Parker after attaining his doctorate degree from the University of Colorad .and taught at Eastern New Mexico University. Prior to that he had served in World War II. Prior to getting his doctorate in education he served as the superintendent of the American high school in Nuremberg, Germany. (Ed note: There are some great photos and other information about Dr. Parker for those of you who have Ancestry.com Look it up if interested)
He was contacted in 1964 about two of his students, Kenny and Cletis being in the World Series. He gave an account of how Kenny was a very small youngster in 1939 but he could compete with the older boys for he adapted his swing to punch base hits into right field.
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Gwinn baseballs
A few weeks ago contact was made and some baseball’s from the career of Stanley Gwinn of the 1949-50 Ponca City Dodgers, 1950 KOM league batting champion, were offered if I wanted them. Of course I did and they were sent and the following was what was shared with Stanley Gwinn III regarding those gems.
“I got your package today and am thrilled to see those baseballs. I have positively identified each. What I thought at first glance was a 1950 championship team ball was actually from 1949. I recognized all the name on it and while many of the names from 1949 and 1950 were the same I concluded it had to have been the 1949 ball.
The second regular size ball was a memento of a grand slam homer your dad hit the night of June 22, 1950. He had a great game getting four more hits against Iola, Kansas after hitting that home run.
The small ball is interesting. Time has taken its toll on some of the signatures but I could make out; Boyd Bartley, Joe Stanek, Ernie Nichols, Loren Doll, Stan Gwinn, Bobby Bonebrake and Don Keeter.
Again, I appreciate your sharing these great treasures with me.”
Response from Gwinn:
Truly my pleasure and honor!
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Catching up
In recent week I have learned more about some former KOM leaguers who slipped out of this world without my knowledge until recently. Over the years a lot of contact was maintained with Leo Blandina, and Whitey Wood and to a lesser degree Jack Whitaker and John Picconi. Picconi was listed in most of the record books as being born in 1924 but his actual day of advent was in 1922.
Due to a couple of reasons which don’t need mentioning all that is being included on the aforementioned four former players is their obituary. If someone out there wants more information it is most likely available on request.
______________________________________________________________________________
Richard Elmer “Whitey” Wood—Iola Cubs/Indians 1946-48
No obituary was found for fellow referenced so I decided to put a few things together to pay tribute to the grandson of Constantine Wyrvaleski who had a son by the name of Stanley while still in Poland. Upon arrival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Stanley changed his name to Wood and thus when his son came into this world on September 11, 1927 he received the name of Richard Elmer Wood, and kept it until July 4, 2014. He passed away that day in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Due to his blonde hair Wood was called “Whitey.” He was known as that by players and especially female fans in the KOM league from 1946-48. When first starting out researching the history of the KOM league many of the former girls who used to attend games to see Whitey wanted to know what became of him. When they found out he was still living they encouraged me to invite him to the KOM league reunions which he graciously refused to do.
His Sporting News card indicates he was signed in 1945 by the Chicago Cubs and was going to be assigned to Leaksville, NC in 1946 but he was sent to Hutchinson, Kansas for spring training and Al Reitz took him to Iola for the 1946 season to play first base.
digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll3/id/164100...
Wood was a left-handed first baseman who was a switch-hitter. He returned to Iola as a Cub in 1947 and when Iola was dropped from the Cub minor league affiliation he came back in 1948. In three seasons he played in 280 games. Never a home run hitter he had four in those three seasons with 215 other hits being of the singles, doubles and triples varieties. Within a couple of years after leaving professional baseball Wood was serving in the U. S. Army and served in the Korean War where he attained the rank of corporal.
Before and after the war Wood attended the State Teachers College in Milwaukee.
This is the Find-A-Grave site for Mr. Wood. www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/200094421:60525...
In the next obituary is fellow teammate of Whitey Wood during the 1947 season.
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Leo Blandina obituary
Leo Joseph Blandina - Kutis Funeral Home (kutisfuneralhomes.com)
Leo Joseph Blandina, Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on Monday, August 23, 2021. Leo passed away peacefully at the age of 93.
Loving husband of the late Virginia E. Blandina (nee Kroner) of 67 years. Beloved son of the late Joseph and Grace Blandina (nee LaFata). Dearest father of John (Jenni) Blandina, Joe (Cindy Bambini) Blandina, Ann (Vince) Holtmann, Maria (Robert) Miller, Gina (Michael) Krebs, and Lea (Tony) Tenore. Dear grandfather of Valerie, Leo, Christian, Sara, Jacob and Alex Blandina, Scott (Meredith) Holtmann, Lisa (Alen) Frankovic, Julie (Daniel) Thorne, Michael Alvey, Joseph, Laura Miller, Jared (Alex), Jennah, Mitchell, Lucas Krebs, Brett Herring and Zach (Taylor) Tenore. Great-grandfather of Leo and Tucker Holtmann, Novak and Petra Frankovic, Quentin Tenore and Baby Krebs. Brother of Theresa (the late Ed) Schmidt, the late Sam (survived by Pauline), Blandina, Vince (Mary) Blandina, Virginia (Lloyd) Weber, Rose (Ed) Biermann, Angie (survived by Marvin) Picou. Our dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend of many.
Leo was the son of Italian immigrants and the patriarch of the Blandina Family. He was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Leo was a member of the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, an avid Cardinal’s fan and golfer. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran, a dedicated entrepreneur, beloved member of the Stillwater Family and was the best spaghetti and meatball maker around. Our journey without him seems impossible, but the memories he left us will never fade.
Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois Rd. on Monday, August 30, 3:00 – 6:30 p.m. Funeral Tuesday, August 31, 9:30 a.m. from KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL, 10151 Gravois Rd. to St. John Paul II Church, 4980 Heege Rd. for 10 a.m. MASS. Interment with full military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to create a memorial at Stillwater Senior Living. Please make checks payable to the Leo J. Blandina Trust.
Ed comment:
In searching for Leo Blandina’s Sporting News Index Card someone could almost be convinced he never played. It it posted on the Los Angeles Library site as Leo Leonard Blandine and here it is for your reading edification. That card only had his first name correct. digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll3/id/7500/r... From that link it is obvious he had the opportunity to see a great deal of this country during his minor league days. By far his most memorable time in the minor league was as a member of the 1947 Iola Cubs. His Sporting News card shows him going as far back as 1945 but although under contract he did not play until 1947. He was in the Chicago Cub organization until 1949 until he was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1949 he was the shortstop at Three Rivers in the Canadian-American League and his double play partner was George Scherger who later managed the Ponca City Dodgers in 1951 and eventually made it to the big leagues as the first base coach for Sparky Anderson during “The Big Red Machine” era of the Cincinnati Reds.
Blandina filled out his Baseball Questionnaire, in 1947, and credited Al Reitz as the person who had the most impact on his baseball career. Reitz was the long tenured pitcher in the minor league which encompassed more than 20 years. He was the last manager the Carthage franchise ever had but after Carthage threw in the towel he still hung around the KOM League at Blackwell, Oklahoma for a year and then with that team when it entered the Western Association.
Over the years contact was maintained with Blandina and he was always interested in the whereabouts of his former Iola teammates. When we would talk about them he was moved to tears. On numerous occasions he was invited to meet up with those fellows again, at KOM league reunions, but circumstances beyond his control prevented his attending.
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Andrew Jackson Whitaker. Independence Yankees 1949
Whitaker was born September 8, 1927 in Petersburg, Tennessee. He was another of those who claimed to be a year younger upon signing a professional contract. His most significant memory of his baseball career, and those with whom he played at Independence, occurred on a foul ball. The ball was headed toward the screen behind home plate and he went for it, looking up. His teeth hit the wall, just below the screen and that is where a couple of upper front teeth were deposited.
He was a tough guy and his teammates recall that he made a bridge to hide the loss of those teeth the best he could. At that time Ipana toothpaste was a popular brand and he attempted to use that item to not on whiten hs his homemade bridge but to use the Ipana to hold it in place.
This is the site to local Whitaker’s Sporting News Index Card. As pointed out he was born in 1927. digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll3/id/161134... He died on November 19, 2014 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He had lived most of his adult years in Hollywood, Florida.
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John Picconi-Iola Cubs 1947
John C. Picconi was a member of the 1947 Iola, Kansas Cubs. He was a veteran of WWII and gave baseball a shot after the war. He took two years off his age when signed by the Cubs. He was born July 16, 1922 in Denver, Colorado.
He is buried at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. He passed away on April 7, 2011. www.findagrave.com/memorial/72571003/john-picconi John passed away shortly after his wife did. www.findagrave.com/memorial/219605443/anita-picconi
Anyone searching for John Picconi’s Sporting News Index card would have a tough time locating it for they misspelled his last name. digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll3/id/97895/... However, by the time his grandson signed the Sporting News got his name spelled correctly. digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll3/id/91241/...
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Mercifully, for those of you who have endured this report, it is now concluded.
We've all seen the beautiful sexy polygonal curves of the badwater salt flats... well, I set out to find something equally strange, yet different. This is what I found. I can just imagine the formations being salty slugs emerging from the flats and squiggling off into the distance.
Prints available: florisvanbreugel.smugmug.com/
Adventures for your entertainment and edification: artinnature.wordpress.com/
Sporting Chance Center, Tucson, AZ Jan 19, 2014 — Club Cactus #13 tries to shoot through Dessert Stars numbers 34 and 4.
PENTAX K-5
smc PENTAX-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM, @105mm
ISO 1600, ƒ3.5, 1/250
Sporting Chance Center, Tucson, AZ Jan 19, 2014 — Team Dinamo #11 and #14 cross the line in an attempt to rescue a ball.
PENTAX K-5
smc PENTAX-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM, @ 42mm
ISO 3200, ƒ5.6, 1/250
Sunrise on the alpine landscape in the Rawah Wilderness.
2010 CALENDARS now shipping!! - florisvanbreugel.smugmug.com/gallery/8609384_K59HN
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Prints available: florisvanbreugel.smugmug.com/
Adventures for your entertainment and edification: artinnature.wordpress.com/
© Saúl Tuñón Loureda
La basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Montmartre, (en francés: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur) es un importante templo religioso situado en París (Francia). Está ubicado en lo alto de la colina de Montmartre.
Se trata de una basílica menor dedicada al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (en francés, SacréCœur de Jésus).
Historia
Su construcción fue decidida por la Asamblea Nacional en 1873, como un edificio religioso a perpetuidad en homenaje a la memoria de los numerosos ciudadanos franceses que habían perdido la vida durante la Guerra franco-prusiana. Según sus promotores se hacía también para expiar por la impiedad del Segundo Imperio francés.2 Fue el arquitecto Paul Abadie quien ganó el concurso para su construcción.
La primera piedra se colocó en 1875, y aunque se completó en 1914, no se consagró hasta el fin de la Primera Guerra Mundial, en 1919. La iglesia fue construida con fondos procedentes exclusivamente de una suscripción popular.
Es uno de los monumentos más visitados de la ciudad parisina.
Arquitectura
La planta del edificio está más central que basilical. Tiene forma de cruz griega, adornada con cuatro cúpulas: el domo central, de 80 m. de altura, está tocado por una linterna, formada por una columnata. En el ábside, una inmensa torre cuadrada hace las veces de campanario que guarda, entre otras, la Savoyarde, una campana de 3 m de diámetro y de 18.550 kilogramos de peso, ofrecida por la diócesis de Chambéry. La cripta posee la misma disposición que la iglesia, y es una de las curiosidades de la basílica.
La arquitectura se inspira en la arquitectura romana y bizantina e influyó en otros edificios religiosos del siglo XX, como la basílica de Sainte-Thérèse de Lisieux. Es posible acceder a la basílica tomando el funicular de Montmartre.
es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bas%C3%ADlica_del_Sagrado_Coraz%C3%...
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica and often simply Sacré-Cœur (French: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, pronounced [sakʁe kœʁ]), is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, France. A popular landmark, the basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. Sacré-Cœur is a double monument, political and cultural, both a national penance for the defeat of France in the 1871 Franco-Prussian War and the socialist Paris Commune of 1871[1] crowning its most rebellious neighborhood, and an embodiment of conservative moral order, publicly dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was an increasingly popular vision of a loving and sympathetic Christ.[2]
The Sacré-Cœur Basilica was designed by Paul Abadie. Construction began in 1875 and was finished in 1914. It was consecrated after the end of World War I in 1919.
The inspiration for Sacré Cœur's design originated on September 4, 1870, the day of the proclamation of the Third Republic, with a speech by Bishop Fournier attributing the defeat of French troops during the Franco-Prussian War to a divine punishment after "a century of moral decline" since the French Revolution, in the wake of the division in French society that arose in the decades following that revolution, between devout Catholics and legitimist royalists on one side,[3] and democrats, secularists, socialists and radicals on the other. This schism in the French social order became particularly pronounced after the 1870 withdrawal of the French military garrison protecting the Vatican in Rome to the front of the Franco-Prussian War by Napoleon III,[4] the secular uprising of the Paris Commune of 1870-1871, and the subsequent 1871 defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War.
Though today the Basilica is asserted[5][when?] to be dedicated in honor of the 58,000 who lost their lives during the war, the decree of the Assemblée nationale, 24 July 1873, responding to a request by the archbishop of Paris by voting its construction, specifies that it is to "expiate the crimes of the Commune".[6] Montmartre had been the site of the Commune's first insurrection, and the Communards had executed Georges Darboy, Archbishop of Paris, who became a martyr for the resurgent Catholic Church. His successor Guibert, climbing the Butte Montmartre in October 1872, was reported to have had a vision, as clouds dispersed over the panorama: "It is here, it is here where the martyrs are,[7] it is here that the Sacred Heart must reign so that it can beckon all to come".[8]
In the moment of inertia following the resignation of the government of Adolphe Thiers, 24 May 1873, François Pie, bishop of Poitiers, expressed the national yearning for spiritual renewal— "the hour of the Church has come"—[9] that would be expressed through the "Government of Moral Order" of the Third Republic, which linked Catholic institutions with secular ones, in "a project of religious and national renewal, the main features of which were the restoration of monarchy and the defense of Rome within a cultural framework of official piety",[10] of which Sacré-Cœur is the chief lasting triumphalist[11] monument.
The decree voting its construction as a "matter of public utility", 24 July,[12] followed close on Thiers' resignation. The project was expressed by the Church as a National Vow (Voeu national) and financial support came from parishes throughout France. The dedicatory inscription records the Basilica as the accomplishment of a vow by Alexandre Legentil and Hubert Rohault de Fleury, ratified by Joseph-Hippolyte Guibert, Archbishop of Paris. The project took many years to complete,
The overall style of the structure shows a free interpretation of Romano-Byzantine features, an unusual architectural vocabulary at the time, which was a conscious reaction against the neo-Baroque excesses of the Palais Garnier, which was cited in the competition.[18] Many design elements of the basilica symbolise nationalist themes: the portico, with its three arches, is adorned by two equestrian statues of French national saints Joan of Arc (1927) and King Saint Louis IX, both executed in bronze by Hippolyte Lefebvre; and the nineteen-ton Savoyarde bell (one of the world's heaviest), cast in 1895 in Annecy, alludes to the annexation of Savoy in 1860.
Sacré-Cœur is built of travertine stone quarried in Château-Landon (Seine-et-Marne), France. This stone constantly exudes calcite, which ensures that the basilica remains white even with weathering and pollution.
A mosaic in the apse, entitled Christ in Majesty, created by Luc-Olivier Merson, is among the largest in the world.
The basilica complex includes a garden for meditation, with a fountain. The top of the dome is open to tourists and affords a spectacular panoramic view of the city of Paris, which is mostly to the south of the basilica.
The use of cameras and video recorders is forbidden inside the Basilica.
Access
The Basilica is accessible by bus. Buses 30, 31, 80, and 85 can be taken to the bottom of the hill of the Basilica. Line 12 of the metro can be taken to Jules Joffrin station and visitors can then change to the Montmartrobus and disembark at Place du Tertre. Line 2 or 12 of the metro can be taken to Pigalle station where visitors can change to the Montmartrobus and disembark at Norvins, or to Anvers station which gives easy access to the steps or the funicular car that lead directly to the Basilica.
Sacré-Cœur is open from 06:00 to 22:30 every day. The dome is accessible from 09:00 to 19:00 in the summer and 18:00 in the winter.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacr%C3%A9-C%C5%93ur,_Paris
La basilique du Sacré-Cœur, dite du Vœu national, située au sommet de la butte Montmartre, dans le 18e arrondissement de Paris, est un édifice religieux parisien majeur.
La construction de cette église, monument à la fois politique et culturel, suit l'après-guerre de 1870. Elle est déclarée d'utilité publique par une loi votée le 24 juillet 1873 par l'Assemblée nationale de 1871. Elle s'inscrit dans le cadre d'un nouvel « ordre moral » faisant suite aux événements de la Commune de Paris, dont Montmartre fut un des hauts lieux. Avec près de 11 millions de pèlerins et visiteurs par an, c'est le second monument religieux parisien le plus visité après la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Depuis longtemps la colline de Montmartre a été un lieu de culte : paganisme gaulois supposé puis temples gallo-romains dédiés à Mercure et probablement à Mars ; culte chrétien après le martyre de l'évêque Denis au IIIe siècle, chapelle surmontant la crypte du martyrium de saint Denis, construction au XIIe siècle de l'église Saint-Pierre, parmi les plus anciennes de Paris, pour l’abbaye royale de Montmartre par le roi Louis VI et sa femme Adélaïde de Savoie. Le nom de la colline de Montmartre vient probablement du nom du lieu, Mons Martis(mont de Mars). L'église de Montmartre qui s'est substituée aux temples romains a été élevée en l'honneur des saints martyrs saint Denis, Rustique et Éleuthère décapités selon la légende3 sur la colline et dont une chapelle, située sur le flanc sud de la butte, devait commémorer le lieu traditionnel du supplice, en prenant le nom de Saint-Martyre. Le mont de Mars a donc pu être réinterprété vers le IXe siècle en Mont des Martyrs (Mons Martyrum), puis par dérivation populaire en « mont de martre », martre signifiant « martyr » en ancien français4. La substitution toponymique du mont païen par le mont chrétien reste cependant hypothétique et la double étymologie (mont de Mars et mont des Martyrs) est encore actuellement traditionnellement proposée. Il faudrait, « pour pouvoir trancher la question, savoir comment le peuple, dans son langage parlé, appelait cette colline avant le IXe siècle, puisque c'est à cette époque que les documents écrits enregistrèrent le changement de nom.
Le 16 juin 1875, le cardinal Guibert pose la première pierre (un marbre rose) de la basilique, non loin de l'ancien moulin de la galette, d'où le surnom donné à la basilique par le peuple de Montmartre, « Notre Dame de la Galette »24.
Des mois sont nécessaires afin de consolider les fondations : les galeries souterraines et les effondrements de terrain imposent la construction de 83 puits d'une profondeur de trente-trois mètres. Remplis de béton et reliés par des arcs, ils font office de pilier qui vont cherche la couche solide sous la glaise25. Dès le 3 mars 1876, l'archevêque de Paris inaugure à côté des travaux une chapelle provisoire. En 1878 débute l'édification de la crypte et en 1881 celle de la basilique. L'intérieur de la nef est inauguré le 5 juin 189126. Les vitraux posés entre 1903 et 1920, sont détruits pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale et remplacés par des vitraux contemporains. Le campanile (clocher haut de 90 mètres) est terminé en 1912, mais il faut attendre 1914 pour que l'ensemble de la façade soit achevé. La consécration, initialement prévue le 17 octobre 1914, est reportée à cause de l'entrée en guerre. Elle a lieu le 16 octobre 1919, célébrée par le cardinal Vico, en présence du cardinal Amette, archevêque de Paris, et de nombreux évêques, dignitaires ecclésiastiques, membres du clergé, personnalités civiles et simples fidèles. L'église est alors érigée en basilique mineure27. Le bâtiment est officiellement achevé en 192328 avec la finition de la décoration intérieure, notamment les mosaïques de l'abside29. Les années 1930 voient le début de la construction des annexes, sacristie, bureaux et dortoir pour accueillir les pèlerins.
La basilique n'est pas construite selon le plan basilical traditionnel. Elle est en forme de croix grecque, ornée de quatre coupoles. La coupole centrale a une hauteur sous clef de voûte de 54,94 m et un diamètre de 16 mètres ; son dôme central, haut de 83 m (c'était le point le plus élevé de Paris avant la construction de la Tour Eiffel), est surmonté d'un lanterneau formé d'une colonnade. Un escalier en colimaçon de 237 marches permet d'accéder à la galerie intérieure et extérieure de ce dôme, la première offrant une vue sur l'intérieur de l'église et la seconde un panorama circulaire sur 30 km par temps claire31. Le style éclectique architectural de l'édifice, s'inspirant de l'architecture romane, de l'architecture byzantine, et particulièrement de la cathédrale Saint-Front de Périgueux, a influencé plusieurs autres édifices religieux du XXe siècle (basilique Sainte-Thérèse de Lisieux par exemple).
Contrairement à la plupart des églises qui ont traditionnellement une orientation Est-Ouest, celle de la basilique est Nord-Sud, tournée vers le centre de Paris, plus particulièrement de Notre-Dame qui est située dans l'alignement de l'édifice.[réf. souhaitée]
La pierre blanche retenue pour la construction est un travertin qui provient des carrières de Château-Landon et de Souppes-sur-Loing (les pierres de l'Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile ont la même origine)32. Elle a été retenue par l'architecte Paul Abadie pour ses qualités de dureté et d'auto-nettoiement au contact de l'eau, ce calcaire exsudant du calcite, ce qui garde la teinte blanche de la pierre. La basilique repose sur le gypse au moyen de piliers qui traversent les marnes et les sables sus-jacents33.
À l'intérieur, le plafond de l'abside est décoré de la plus grande mosaïque de France (Émaux de Briare), couvrant une surface de 473,78 m2. Conçue par Luc-Olivier Merson et exécutée de 1918 à 1922 par les ateliers Guilbert-Martin, elle représente le Sacré-Cœur de Jésus glorifié par l’église catholique et la France. À sa base on peut lire une phrase en latin signifiant : « Au Cœur très saint de Jésus, la France fervente, pénitente et reconnaissante. »
Une immense tour carrée servant de clocher renferme, entre autres, la plus grosse cloche de France. Baptisée la Savoyarde, elle a été fondue à Annecy en 1895 par les frères Paccard. Elle mesure 3 mètres de diamètre et pèse 18 835 kg. Quant à son support, il pèse 7 380 kg. Le marteau qui la frappe pèse quant à lui 1 200 kg. Symbole nationaliste rappelant l'Annexion de la Savoie, elle fut offerte à la basilique par les quatre diocèses de la Savoie, et arriva sur la butte le 16 octobre 1895, ce qui fut un événement parisien.
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilique_du_Sacr%C3%A9-C%C5%93ur_d...
San Marco in Lamis Gargano Puglia Italia©2015 All rights reserved
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San Marco in Lamis è un comune italiano di 13.928 abitanti della provincia di Foggia, in Puglia.
San Marco in Lamis è nota soprattutto per la tradizionale Processione delle "fracchie", una manifestazione religiosa popolare molto suggestiva e assai singolare, che si ripete puntualmente da circa tre secoli ogni venerdì Santo per la rievocazione della Passione di Cristo, e che, ogni anno, richiama un grande afflusso di forestieri. Le fracchie sono delle enormi fiaccole, realizzate con grossi tronchi di albero di quercia o castagno aperti longitudinalmente a forma di cono e riempiti di legna, per essere incendiate all'imbrunire e divenire quindi dei falò ambulanti che illuminano il cammino della Madonna Addolorata lungo le strade del paese alla ricerca del figlio Gesù morto.Sembra che le origini di questo rito risalgano ai primi anni del XVIII secolo, epoca di edificazione della chiesa dell'Addolorata e le sue ragioni, oltre che di ordine religioso e devozionale, vadano collegate anche ad una motivazione di ordine pratico riconducibile alle precise condizioni fisiche dell'abitato. Infatti, quando venne costruita (1717), la chiesa dell'Addolorata si trovava fuori del centro abitato e lì sarebbe rimasta fino all'ultimo ventennio del XIX secolo. Una collocazione questa che sollecitò la fantasia degli abitanti, i quali pensarono di illuminare con le "fracchie" la strada che la Madonna percorreva dalla sua chiesa fino alla Collegiata, dove era custodito il corpo del Cristo. Le “fracchie più grandi possono essere lunghe anche 13-14 metri e pesare anche 60-70 quintali di legno di quercia , castagno o abete .
da wikipedia
San Marco in Lamis is a town of 13,928 citizens in the Italian province of Foggia, Puglia, Italy.
San Marco in Lamis is a town of 13.928 citizens and comune in the province of Foggia in the Apulia region of southeast Italy. It is located in the Gargano massif area.Apart from some tourism conted to pilgrimages at the local Catholic sanctuary of St. Matthew, the economy is mostly based on agriculture.San Marco in Lamis is known for the traditional procession of "fracchie", a very popular religious manifestation suggestive and very singular, that is repeated regularly from about three centuries each friday Saint for the reenactment of the passion of Christ, and that each year draws a large influx of foreigners. The fracchie are huge torches, made with large trees oak opened longitudinally cone-shaped and filled with wood, to be burned at dusk and become so a itinerant bonfires that illuminate the journey of our Lady of Sorrows along the roads of the country in search of the son Jesus died.It seems that the origins of this rite dates back to the early 18th century, a time of edification of the Church of our Lady of sorrows and his reasons as well as religious and devotional order, should be connected to a practical motivation due to precise physical conditions of the town. In fact, when it was built (1717), the Church of our Lady of Sorrows was out of town and would remain there until the last two decades of the 19th century. A bin that solicited the imagination of the inhabitants, whom they thought to illuminate with the "fracchie" the way that she ran from her church until the collegiate, where he guarded the body of Christ. The"Fracchia" can also get the length of 13-14 meters and weigh 60-70 quintals of wood of oak. From wikipedia
the pillar carry the weight of a brilliant tradition and reach wisdom on a eternal pillar with a dose of madness, so it's busy working under the Book of Proverbs is about all wisdom. The book is a compilation of wise sayings that were composed by King Solomon who was the wisest man who had ever lived. What was Solomon’s purpose for giving us Proverbs? Solomon tells us in the very first six verses: Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 1:4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
True biblical wisdom involves God’s wisdom for right living and relationships; it requires the same understanding that God has concerning how we are to live and conduct ourselves; it refers to the knowledge of God or of the things that belong to God as related in His whole Word. The Book of Proverbs is all about wisdom and gives us much instruction in wise living according to God’s righteousness while living in a world that is hostile to the laws and principles of God.
When Solomon succeeded David as king over Israel God appeared to him in a dream and promised him anything he asked. Solomon requested that God would provide him with an understanding heart and the ability to discern between good and evil so as to rule the people of Israel with equity. This shows that even as a young man Solomon’s focus was on wanting to be wise. Solomon’s answer pleased the Lord so much, that along with wisdom and understanding, God granted him riches and honor more than any other king, either before, or after Solomon. A demonstration of his wisdom came shortly after when two prostitutes were brought before him to judge over their dispute as to who was the rightful mother of the living son after one son had died. Solomon was given divine insight and then used that insight in wise handling of the situation that brought out who the true mother was and he was able to rightly judge in her favor. From this case, all Israel heard of the wise judgment of Solomon and this too brought him much respect and honor. 1 Kings 3:27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. 3:28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment. It was evident to all that King Solomon possessed extraordinary wisdom in many areas. Besides being a wise judge and ruler, he was also a prolific writer, poet, an expert botanist/biologist, a builder and artist, and a skilled statesman. His wisdom in architecture and management made Israel into the most excellent nation in all of the East. As a diplomat, he made treaties and alliances with the surrounding countries and this brought peace to his kingdom throughout most of his career. And of course, it was Solomon who built the beautiful Temple in Jerusalem.
All of this wisdom was given to him by God. Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt, he was the wisest of all men. He became famous throughout the land for his wisdom.
1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. 4:30 And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 4:31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
4:32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. 4:33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
4:34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
As a side note: although God had gifted Solomon with unsurpassed wisdom, sadly, Solomon allowed his many wives to turn his heart away from God and he turned to idols. In spite of this, his words and teachings are recorded in Scripture for our edification and learning. In all of his writings Solomon teaches much on the value of seeking after wisdom. (In this series we will focus on the subject of wisdom and not on why Solomon departed from following after God.) This is what Solomon had to say in regard to the importance of obtaining wisdom:
Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Ecclesiastes 2:13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness
In the first chapter of Proverbs Solomon introduces the purpose of his proverbs: to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding, and with that he sets the theme for the whole Book. In verse 20 of the first chapter he begins to speak of “wisdom” as a person. He calls this person “Wisdom” and uses feminine pronouns when telling us what she does and what she says.
He calls wisdom “she” and says she utters her voice in the streets and in the place of concourse; or in other words she is shouting out to the common people trying to get their attention in the places where they gather and mingle or perhaps congregate to hear the latest news.
Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: 1:21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, The use of one thing (perhaps a common thing we all can relate to) to depict another thing (such as a deep spiritual truth) is a common tool that writers of Scripture often use to vividly get a message across. One of these literary tools is to use metaphors to illustrate certain attributes as things or persons speaking. An example is when the the voice of Abel’s blood cried out to God from the ground (Genesis 4:10).
Of course literal blood of a person does not have a voice, neither can it speak. God was referring to the red stain on the ground of Abel’s shed blood that attested to the fact that Cain had killed his brother. In this way God is using poetic language to bring about a vivid image to the reader of the crime scene. (Another clear example of the use of allegories and symbolism is in Ezekiel 17, which is just one of many metaphors given to us throughout the Bible.)
The writers of Scripture (all of whom were inspired by God) use many types of metaphors, imagery, similes, symbolism, parables, allegories, and analogies as tools to bring home a profound message or teaching. Jesus Himself used these various literary tools throughout His ministry here on earth.
Depending on God’s intent, they can be used to make things seem more relevant and understandable to those who read Scripture; or they are sometimes used to hide or cloud the meaning from those who are not seeking after God, those who do not care about truly trying to obey His every Word.
Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Only those are who called and have God’s Holy Spirit can understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God and the truth contained in the Bible. And it is only when we are doing all His commandments that God grants understanding; the more we seek to obey Him, the more understanding we will have for: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments….” (Psalm 111:10) The things of God are foolishness to those who are not being led by God’s Spirit for it is only by God’s Spirit that God’s concepts and principles can be discerned. Even the most brilliant and learned men and women in the world cannot understand the spiritual things of God if they are of the world and are not seeking a relationship with Him.
1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the
2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Those who are called in this age and are diligent to learn the spiritual things of God will someday be privileged to teach those who could not understand these things in this present age. Those who are carnal now will be called in the ages to come and if they repent and embrace all of God’s ways they too will eventually come to understand the wisdom of God.
In Proverbs Solomon uses the symbol of a woman on several occasions to teach his students certain lessons. In some instances he refers to a certain kind of woman as “the strange woman” which depicts a prostitute, [which can be a symbol for false religions] a type of all the things or persons that tempt us away from God and the keeping of His Words.
Then at other times he uses the idea of a woman as “wisdom” symbolizing the character quality of God, the same quality we must seek and incorporate into our own character. In these cases she (wisdom) is something that leads us toward God and to the keeping of every Word of God. As we embrace God’s wisdom we will take on more and more of His mind and will become like Him (the perfect man as we saw in Matthew 5 in our study of the Beatitudes) and the more we heed and take on the wisdom of God, the more we are shaped into God’s divine image, for He is the very essence of wisdom.
The concept of wisdom as a woman is first introduced in Proverbs 1:20. “She” cries out to mankind wanting them to listen to her and depart from their folly. She wants the attention of spiritually lost men and women so she raises her voice in order for all to hear her words and hear her counsel.
When Solomon uses wisdom as a “she” he is using a poetic metaphor which depicts a very wise person who is speaking on behalf of God and who wants to reach out to us on a very personal level. In this way he desires to leave a very profound and sober impression upon our minds, for the things he is trying to impart is vitally important to all men.
This an analogy of God calling and exhorting humanity to depart from their foolishness and then seek the knowledge that will save them and deliver them from being destroyed by their folly. He says to seek wisdom for it will lead to life, but if we refuse to forsake foolishness we will be destroyed.
Wisdom is personified as a woman and speaks in the first person of godly wisdom. Read the word “wisdom” as “the wisdom of God” and see the wonderful power of Solomon’s poetic message:
Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
1:21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Toward the end of this chapter is a stinging indictment against all who will not heed the voice of wisdom; but then in the last verse a wonderful promise to all those who WILL hearken unto her (wisdom).
Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
In Proverbs 8 Solomon goes back to the metaphor of wisdom crying out to humanity: “Unto you O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of men.” (Verse 4)
82.221.105.8/~theshini/the-seven-pillars-of-wisdom-introd...
Titus 3:5 NKJV// NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US THROUGH THE WASHING OF REGENERATION AND RENEWING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT./////////////////////////////////////// The Bible is more about edification than education. The gospel of Jesus is pretty straight forward and easy to understand. It is through his death burial and resurrection that we can be saved. Salvation or sanctification is a change of heart, and a regeneration of the mind. [ Romans 12:2] AND DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF OF YOUR MIND, THAT YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD./ Regeneration is an act of God in which the recipient is passive; Meaning acted upon or receiving impressions from external agents or causes.. God alone awakens the person spiritually through the power of the Holy Spirit. Matthew Henry wrote/ we could as soon make a new world as make a new heart by any power of our own.// Being regenerated is the work of God and his spirit within us. It is God that turns us, then we are turned. A new person is made in the old body, Having new thoughts, desires and affections that are all centered on Godly living. [Psalm 51:10] CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART O GOD, AND RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME.] Regeneration is the catalyst that allows believers to interact with the creator. It is the beginning step of an eternal walk with God. So i say today, if you decide to take time and read the gospels, and you want to accept Jesus Christ as your savior ( i hope you will) you may not feel smarter after it is all said and done, But i bet you will feel better.
San Marco in Lamis Gargano Puglia italia©2015 All rights reserved
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San Marco in Lamis è un comune italiano di 13.928 abitanti della provincia di Foggia, in Puglia.
San Marco in Lamis è nota soprattutto per la tradizionale Processione delle "fracchie", una manifestazione religiosa popolare molto suggestiva e assai singolare, che si ripete puntualmente da circa tre secoli ogni venerdì Santo per la rievocazione della Passione di Cristo, e che, ogni anno, richiama un grande afflusso di forestieri. Le fracchie sono delle enormi fiaccole, realizzate con grossi tronchi di albero di quercia o castagno aperti longitudinalmente a forma di cono e riempiti di legna, per essere incendiate all'imbrunire e divenire quindi dei falò ambulanti che illuminano il cammino della Madonna Addolorata lungo le strade del paese alla ricerca del figlio Gesù morto.Sembra che le origini di questo rito risalgano ai primi anni del XVIII secolo, epoca di edificazione della chiesa dell'Addolorata e le sue ragioni, oltre che di ordine religioso e devozionale, vadano collegate anche ad una motivazione di ordine pratico riconducibile alle precise condizioni fisiche dell'abitato. Infatti, quando venne costruita (1717), la chiesa dell'Addolorata si trovava fuori del centro abitato e lì sarebbe rimasta fino all'ultimo ventennio del XIX secolo. Una collocazione questa che sollecitò la fantasia degli abitanti, i quali pensarono di illuminare con le "fracchie" la strada che la Madonna percorreva dalla sua chiesa fino alla Collegiata, dove era custodito il corpo del Cristo. Le “fracchie più grandi possono essere lunghe anche 13-14 metri e pesare anche 60-70 quintali di legno di quercia , castagno o abete .
da wikipedia
San Marco in Lamis is a town of 13,928 citizens in the Italian province of Foggia, Puglia, Italy.
San Marco in Lamis is a town of 13.928 citizens and comune in the province of Foggia in the Apulia region of southeast Italy. It is located in the Gargano massif area.Apart from some tourism conted to pilgrimages at the local Catholic sanctuary of St. Matthew, the economy is mostly based on agriculture.San Marco in Lamis is known for the traditional procession of "fracchie", a very popular religious manifestation suggestive and very singular, that is repeated regularly from about three centuries each friday Saint for the reenactment of the passion of Christ, and that each year draws a large influx of foreigners. The fracchie are huge torches, made with large trees oak opened longitudinally cone-shaped and filled with wood, to be burned at dusk and become so a itinerant bonfires that illuminate the journey of our Lady of Sorrows along the roads of the country in search of the son Jesus died.It seems that the origins of this rite dates back to the early 18th century, a time of edification of the Church of our Lady of sorrows and his reasons as well as religious and devotional order, should be connected to a practical motivation due to precise physical conditions of the town. In fact, when it was built (1717), the Church of our Lady of Sorrows was out of town and would remain there until the last two decades of the 19th century. A bin that solicited the imagination of the inhabitants, whom they thought to illuminate with the "fracchie" the way that she ran from her church until the collegiate, where he guarded the body of Christ. The"Fracchia" can also get the length of 13-14 meters and weigh 60-70 quintals of wood of oak. From wikipedia
Community forestry awareness campaign in a primary school of Butisongo - DRC.
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Le cimetière chinois de Nolette est un cimetière situé le territoire de la commune française de Noyelles-sur-Mer où sont inhumés les travailleurs civils chinois employés par l'armée britannique pendant la Première Guerre mondiale.
Il s'agit du plus grand cimetière chinois de France et d'Europe
Pendant la Première Guerre mondiale, Noyelles abrita une importante base arrière britannique dont un grand camp de coolies (travailleurs immigrés chinois). Ils furent recrutés par l'armée britannique entre 1917 et 1919 dans le cadre du corps de travailleurs chinois (en anglais, Chinese Labour Corps), pour des tâches de manutention à l'arrière du front mais certains connaitront les zones de combat.
Ils représentent l'une des premières immigrations chinoises en France. Ils avaient l'interdiction de se mêler à la population civile du lieu. Certains resteront en France après la Grande Guerre.
Chinois en France
L'entrée du cimetière chinois de Nolette.
Ils étaient affectés à des tâches pénibles et dangereuses comme le terrassement de tranchées, le ramassage des soldats morts sur le champ de bataille, le déminage des terrains reconquis, la blanchisserie, les services de santé auprès des malades, en particulier ceux atteints de la grippe espagnole...
En 1921, le gouvernement britannique décida l'édification du cimetière chinois à Nolette. Le Major Truelove est chargé de sa réalisation sous l'autorité d'Edwin Lutyens.
Depuis 2002, le cimetière de Nolette est le lieu de célébration de la Fête de Qing Ming (Fête des Morts chinoise) en France organisée par le Conseil pour l'intégration des communautés d'origine chinoise en France.
On trouve dans le département de la Somme des tombes de coolies dans les cimetières d'Abbeville, Albert, Daours, Gézaincourt, Tincourt-Boucly et Villers-Carbonnel.
Propriété de l'État français et gérée par la Commonwealth War Graves Commission, la nécropole située près du hameau de Nolette dans la commune de Noyelles-sur-Mer a été inaugurée en 1921 par le Préfet de la Somme. 849 travailleurs chinois sont inhumés à Noyelles-sur-Mer. La plupart travaillait au camp chinois de l'armée britannique situé sur la commune entre 1917 et 1919.
Tombe de Yang Shiyue 楊十月 originaire du Shandong, mort le 12 janvier 19191.
Beaucoup sont morts d'une épidémie de choléra qui a sévi dans le camp, de la grippe espagnole en 1918-1919 ou de la tuberculose, voire tués dans les zones de combat.
Le site est caractérisée par le portail d'entrée, les inscriptions sur les tombes et les essences d'arbres (pins, cèdres...) qu'on ne rencontre pas dans les autres cimetières du Commonwealth ainsi que par l'absence de croix du Sacrifice et de pierre du Souvenir.
Les tombes de ce cimetière sont constituées de 849 stèles en marbre blanc, avec sur chacune d'elle gravée une inscription en anglais « Faithful unto Death » ou « Though dead he still liveth » ou encore « A good reputation endures for ever » ainsi que des idéogrammes chinois et parfois, très rarement, le nom en anglais ou le matricule du défunt.
Le porche monumental et le mur de l'entrée tiennent lieu de mémorial pour la quarantaine de Chinois morts sur terre ou sur mer sans tombes connues.
Des statues de lions offerts par la République populaire de Chine sont situées, non loin de la nécropole, à l'entrée de la rue qui mène au cimetière de Nolette
THE ELECT MARTYR, SAINT MARINA
I- THE EARLY YEARS: St. Marina evolved in Antioch in Pisidia. This city was in the middle of Asia Minor in Perga on the borders of Pisidia. [Not to be confused with "Great Antioch" on River Aasi, about 15 miles east of the Mediterranean; where the Throne of the Pope of Antioch was.] The city was founded by Silesius Ist. (Nectarius,) one of the army Generals of Alexander the Great. He called it Antioch after his father Antiochus. It was an important commercial center, and the Romans made it their headquarters for all Southern Galatia. Silesius gave residence to a group of Jews there. The book of Acts mentions that St. Paul visited Antioch in Pisidia during his first evangelical journey, and delivered a sermon in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. Many of the Jews believed, but some of them "stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from the region" Paul and Barnabas "..made many disciples"in that city. St. Paul mentioned to his disciple Timothy the "persecutions and afflictions which happened to me at Antioch." Nothing much is left now from that city except some ruins near a city called Yelfetch on the southern slope of the mountainous chain called "Sultan Daghlary" in mid Turkey
II-THE FAMILY OF THE SAINT:Diocletian [Valerius Diocletianus,] (245-313) Roman Emperor from 284 to 305. Diocles, on the murder of Numerian, the army proclaimed him Emperor at Chalcedon on 17 Sept. 284. This date was considered the beginning of the Coptic Calendar of the Martyrs because of the extreme cruelty Diocletian (as he now chose to call himself) was famous for in torturing and killing the Christians. He made his place domus divina and his own person sacred. It was in 303 that the Great Persecution broke out. He issued several edicts to demolish churches, burn Christian books and torture and kill all who refuse to worship him or his idols. On the other hand, he built many temples for his gods and assigned priests and high priests to serve them.The chief of those high priests was called Dasius. He was the father of an only daughter named Marina. Dasius was extremely busy with his devotion to his offerings, incense and rites. When Marina reached her fifth year, her mother died. Her father could not find time to care for his daughter. He put her to the care of a Christian governess
III-THE SAINT IN THE HOUSE OF HER NURSEMAID: This nanny was living in a small town, about 15 miles from Antioch Pisidia. Marina lived with her new nanny away from her father’s idols and gods and his blasphemous practices. This nursemaid enjoyed a great deal of piety, righteousness and love of Christ. She was fond of reading the biographies of the martyrs and saints as well as the sayings of the holy fathers of the church.In this beautiful, holy, spiritual atmosphere lived little Marina enjoying the blessings of this saint. There, in her nanny’s house she heard nothing but prayers and religious enchanting; and she saw nothing but meekness, faith and hope. Her nursemaid could teach her true faith, not only by words but mostly by the good example and the tender regard. Little Marina felt joy and comfort with her nanny. She forgot the instability and the conjure which were in her parents’ house, and she loved her nanny with all her heart. She was brought up in the best of manners. She learned courage, purity and truthfulness. Marina lived with this saint for ten years until she was fifteen. Her father died, but St. Marina preferred to stay with her governess. Also, the nanny considered Marina’s stay with her a blessing from the Lord.
IV-THE SPIRITUAL FIGHT OF THE HOLY SAINT :St. Marina heard from her nanny a great deal about the holy martyrs; about their steadfast faith, and their extreme courage when facing the ferocious rulers and the mad emperors. She was told about how those heroes did not hesitate to declare their faith when the rulers threatened to torture them and to throw them to the hungry beasts. She knew how the martyrs were actually racing each other to gain their martyrdom because of their love to Christ the Lord.One day she started praying " You know, our compassionate Lord, how weak the human nature is. I ask You to give me strength to be able to conquer Your opponents and to praise you for ever. Amen."One day, a new ruler came to Antioch Pisidia from Asia. His name was Alupharnus. He was assigned to capture all Christians and torture them in the most ferocious way. While the evil ruler was in his carriage with his soldiers looking for the Christians, he saw St. Marina with her nanny, going out from their house. The ruler saw them. He was dazzled by her beauty and decided to marry her, whatever it would cost him. He sent his soldiers to bring her to him. When they tried to do so, Marina started praying; "Have mercy on me, O my Savior. Do not destroy my soul in the hands of the blasphemers, nor my life by the blood-shedders. Do not forsake me lest the sinners should destroy my soul and defile my ears and my mind. Send Your grace to me from up high to give me strength, and to keep me steadfast in my faith without fear, and to be able to answer that blasphemer according to his demand. I see my poor soul like a lamb among wolves, or like a bird confronting the hunters, or a fish in the net of fishermen. Come to me, Lord Jesus Christ, and save me from their hands. Glory and praise be to You for ever, Amen." The soldiers returned to the ruler and told him that they could not bring her to him (to marry her) because she was a Christian. The ruler was deeply disturbed by the news.
V-CONFRONTING OF THE RULER: The ruler was very angry. The devil moved him to frighten this young girl with threats of torture and death. He ordered his soldiers to bring ‘the slave’ to him by force. When they did he said to her, "From which race are you?" She answered, "I am a Christian, and I am not a slave." He asked, "So, which tribe are you from? What is your name?" She replied, "I am from the tribe of Jesus Christ. My name is Marina." The ruler asked, "Which god do you worship?"Marina said, "I worship God who created heaven and earth and all creation."He asked, "Then you worship Jesus the Nazarene from Galilee whom the Jews had crucified.""Yes, I do," she replied, "though I am not worthy that He may help my weak soul with His grace, and save me from your blasphemy."The ruler ordered his soldiers to keep her in his custody until they entered the city. When they did, he entered the temple of his gods to offer sacrifices unto them. He, then, called Saint Marina and when she arrived, he said to her, "Let it be known to you, Marina, that I pity your youth and your beauty. I advice you to change your mind and obey my orders to worship my gods and offer them sacrifices. If you do I will surely reward you with great rewards, and you will gain privileges over your peers."The saint answered him, "I will never deviate from worshipping my living God. I will offer my sacrifice of gratitude only to the great Creator, the Savior of all mankind. "The ruler, then, said to her, "This persistence will only cause you great torment. Your members will be cut with iron and burned with fire. You will suffer my great rage, and nothing can save you from my hand except by being submissive and obedient to me. Get rid of your stubbornness and worship my gods. This way you will find rest, and you will save your beauty. I will, then, give you abundantly the most expensive presents, and will raise you to the highest ranks. You will be my wife, and will become a princess!" The great saint answered him, "You blasphemer, who has a cruel heart, do you think that you can scare me with your threats ? I do believe that my merciful God will strengthen me, and will send me help from His holy place. I know that you have authority only over my body, but you have no authority over my spirit. My God says in His holy Gospel, "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear. Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him." As for me, I am quite ready to receive your torture, thus I will be worthy to join the wise virgins in their comfort. They became worthy to gain the real Groom, Jesus Christ, and to go with Him to heavenly joy. My Lord Jesus Christ, whom I worship, died for our salvation; and I am not worthy to offer my body as a sacrifice for Him, or to suffer all kinds of torments for His sake."The ruler became furious. He ordered the saint’s hands and feet to be tied with ropes, and to scourge her and beat her with clubs.
VI-THE GLORY OF PAIN:As they tortured her, the saint was looking up to heaven, and praying, "To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O My God, I trust in You; let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed. Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. Show me Your ways, O Lord. Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation. On You I wait all day. Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, for they have been from of old." For I withstand these pains because I confess Your holy name. Send Your mercy and compassion to me so my grief will become joy."As the saint was enchanting and praising the Lord, the soldiers were beating her so severely that her flesh was torn and her blood flew profusely. The Archangel Michael, then, appeared to her and said to her,"Great is your faith, Marina. Have more strength, for it is by your good confession that your soul will survive, and you will gain the holy baptism."The people who were watching her were crying. Some of them said , "O Marina, your pretty body has been destroyed by this cruel ruler. His intention is to erase your name from the face of the earth. Please, obey his orders, and believe in his gods, so you can be saved from his torture."The great among the martyrs then answered, "God has already helped me and sent the venerable Archangel Michael to me to take away my pains and to heal my wounds. He gave me strength, and opened my eyes and I could see the wonders of the Lord who made me able to expose and shame that blasphemer. Now, what do you want from me, O weak in faith? Because, if my flesh is to be destroyed, my spirit will be renewed and will be with the wise virgins. As for you, please listen and believe in the Lord for He listens to all who pray to Him. But I will never bow to mute and blind gods, which were carved by men." Then Marina looked at the ruler and said,"Whatever you want to do according to the instructions of your father, Satan, do it as fast as you can; because my God has comforted me, and He is my Strength. If you have a power over my body to destroy it, you have none over my spirit. Only my God has the authority over my spirit, and He will save me from your hands, that I can expose you; the rejected blasphemer who is far from the living God, and whose soul is descending to Hades where Satan and his soldiers dwell. The power of God is surely far from you, and the eternal punishment is going to catch you."The ruler, becoming exceedingly furious, ordered his soldiers to comb her flesh with big heated iron forks. The elect saint raised her eyes towards heaven and said,"For dogs have surrounded me; the assembly of the wicked has enclosed me... But You, O Lord, do not be far from me; O my Strength, hasten to help me. Deliver me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth. Help my humility, give me strength and the Spirit of life that You may protect my soul from defilement. With Your help I will be able to face the devil, my enemy, and conquer him, and become a good example for all those who seek Your holy name, which is blessed for ever. Amen."The ruler screamed at her, "I swear by my own life that if you do not bow to the gods, you are going to die in the worst way, and I will cut your members with my sword."The elect martyr answered, "O blasphemer, what life do you have? You should know, you who worship the defiled idols, that if I pity my body, my spirit will not ascend to heaven and will not be crowned with the illuminated wreaths."
VII-IN PRISON:The ruler ordered that she would be put in prison. When she entered, she crossed herself and said, "O Most holy, who designs all good matter. All creation tremble from the fear of Your glory. You are the hope of all those who repent, and You set all captives free. You are a father to all orphans, and a judge to all widows. Look at my humility and poverty and save me. Do not forsake me, my God, for I raised my soul to You and You are my only hope."I, poor Theophimos, used to deliver bread and water to saint Marina from her nanny through a little window in prison. She used to write her prayers, and all what happened to her, and give it to me.While she was praying at night, Archangel Michael appeared to her with a light brighter than that of the sun, and crossed her with the sign of the Holy Cross, and all her wounds and pains disappeared. He said to her, "Have strength, O bride of Christ, the elect saint Marina, for you are going to have all what you asked for. You are going to face your enemy, Satan, fight him and overpower him. You are also going to receive the holy baptism and your spirit is going to rise to the eternal bliss.Marina continued praying until morning, when the ruler called for her.
VIII-MORE FEROCIOUS TORTURE:When Marina was brought to the ruler, he was exceedingly amazed when he saw her completely healed from all signs of his torture. He told her that he was sure then that she was a great magician. She said,"I am not a magician, but I am a worshipper of Jesus Christ. Now your defiled helpless idols have been exposed."The ruler was enraged. He ordered to saw her flesh with iron saws, and to cut her skin with knives. When he thought that she was dead, he ordered his soldiers to put her body back in prison until she rots. Archangel Michael appeared to her again, strengthened her, and repeated what he said to her before. He, then, crossed her, cured her and disappeared
IX-THE DRAGON:While Marina was praying, a huge fearful dragon came out from one of the prison corners. It was spitting fire from its nostrils, and was whistling in an awesome way. When she saw it, Marina was scared, and prayed, "O invisible God, who tied Satan and untied those who were tied by Satan. Who raises the dead, and breaks the power of the great dragon. Look at me and have mercy on me so I can conquer this bad beast with Your power." The dragon came forward towards her. It opened its mouth and swallowed her. Because Marina’s arms were raised in the form of a cross when she was praying, this caused the dragon’s stomach to rupture when it swallowed her. By the grace of God, Marina came out safely, and the dragon immediately succumbed
.X-SATAN:When St. Marina stood again to pray, she noticed the devil coming from the left corner of the prison. He looked like a man, sitting down and crossing his arms around his knees. Marina prayed,"My Lord Jesus Christ, Source of wisdom, King of kings, Eternal Rock. I thank You, my God, for you are a Rock to those who seek refuge in You, and a Guide for those who travel, and a Wreath for the virgins. You are the Savior of the world."When she prayed, she held the devil with her hand. The devil said to her, "Why don’t you listen to the ruler, Marina, and obey his orders?"She found a hammer, and started to beat the devil’s head with it. She stepped on his neck and said to him,"Hold it ! you cursed one, for my God saves me from all sins"When she said that, a bright light came upon her, and the holy Cross appeared to her with a Dove on top of it. The Dove spoke and said to her, "Your are blessed, O holy virgin Marina. A crown of light has been prepared for you, and the doors of Paradise are open, waiting for you."
XI-BAPTISM:Next morning, the ruler ordered his soldiers to bring Marina. When they did, he repeated his orders to her to worship his gods. She refused, and the ruler gave his orders to tie her to a pole and burn her. They did. Then he ordered that they tie her hands and legs, and put her in boiling water. When she was in the water, St. Marina looked up to heaven and said, "O God who dwells in heaven, I ask You to untie me, and to make this water a baptism for me. Dress me with the robe of salvation through it. Take away from me the old man and put on me the new man. Make me, with this baptism, worthy to inherit the life eternal, and make my faith steadfast."A great earthquake shook the place, Marina’s ties were loosened, and she immersed herself in the water three times in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. She came out of the water praising God. A voice came from heaven, and all the people who were gathered there heard it. The voice said,"You are blessed, Marina. You were baptized, and became worthy of the crown of virginity."Many of those who witnessed these events declared their faith, became Christians and were baptized. The ruler ordered all of them to be killed. They were beheaded, and gained the wreath of martyrdom.
XII-MARTYRDOM: The ruler was then sure that Marina’s presence conformed a real danger for his idols and gods. He had but one choice; to behead her. The soldier who was assigned to that task, took her out of town, and there he told the saint that he also believed in Jesus Christ. He told her that he saw Christ with His angels. St. Marina said to him, "For that reason I ask you to wait a little time so I can pray." He agreed.The elect saint started to pray: "O God, who created heaven and earth, hear me. I ask You, my God, for every sinner who comes to You repenting, erase all his sins. Everyone who comes to my alter praying, give him all what he asks for. Anyone who is presented in a scary court of law, and mentions my name in confidence, grant him victory over his foes. Anyone who builds a church in my name, or writes the story of my martyrdom, give him, my Lord, all what pleases his heart. All sick people who ask You wellness in my name, grant them soon, if You will, good physical and mental health. Everyone who comes to my church, or hears the story of my martyrdom, have compassion on him, O Lord, by forgiving all his sins. Anyone who is afflicted, or who falls in the hands of those who are cruel and unjust to him, and he asks You in my name, give him deliverance and relief. Whomsoever travels in an awful route, whether it be by land or in the sea, help him, O Lord, and return him to his home safely. The believers who commemorate my martyrdom, and those who are present in Your holy alter in remembrance of me, whether they be of the clergy or the laity; remember them, O Lord, in that Day when they stand in front of You. Judge them not, but rather give them comfort with Your saints."When Saint Marina finished her prayer, a great earthquake shook the place, and the Savior appeared to her with his angels. The elect saint was scared and threw herself in contrition in front of Him, but the Savior said, "Fear not , O Marina, I came to you to grant you all what you have asked for. You are blessed because you asked for the sinners who come to Me repenting. I will give you more than what you asked. Archangel Michael will protect any church which will have a part of your body. No evil spirit will be able to approach any place where a part of your body, or a book of your biography is kept. Rather, peace and the Spirit of truth will be in that place.Saint Marina, then, said to the swordsman, "My brother, do now what you are assigned to do." He refused and said, "I cannot possibly kill the blessed worshipper of Christ." She answered, "If you do not fulfill what you were ordered to do, you will have no share with me in the Kingdom of Heaven." Asking God to forgive him, the trembling soldier, then, beheaded her, and immediately killed himself by the same sword. The earth was shaking, and many sick and disabled people who were watching, rushed to her body seeking blessings and wellness, and they obtained them. Many saw the angels enchanting around the martyr Marina’s body saying, "There is none like You among gods, O Lord." Many believed and obtained glory with Saint Marina.As for me, poor Theophimos, I was accompanying the elect Saint Marina from the beginning to the end. I wrote her biography with all honesty. I added nothing nor did I cancel anything from it I was the one who took her body and put it in a casket made of marble, and I put plenty of frankincense and scents with it. I put the marble casket in the city of Antioch in Pisidia. Blessed be everyone who commemorates her martyrdom, on the twenty-third day of the month of Abib. She will be interceding for him on the Judgment Day.May her prayers and intercessions be with us always. Praised be the Lord forever. Amen.SOME OF THE
MIRACLES WHICH OCCURRED IN ST. MARINA’S CHURCH AT ANTIOCH, IN PISIDIA, AFTER HER MARTYRDOM.
I-EDIFICATION OF THE CHURCH OF THE MARTYR (1) St. Theophimos said, "One day the nursemaid of the elect Saint Marina came to me and said that while she was praying at midnight. a dazzling light shone on her, and an angel, crowned with precious stones, and accompanied by a group of angels, appeared to her and said, "I am the Archangel Michael, who is assigned to serve Saint Marina. I came to instruct you with what you should do: Harry up and take the body of St. Marina from the marble casket, and put it in a hidden tomb, because she is suffering from the continuous honoring of her body."The nanny said that she did not notice any crosses on him or on anyone of his followers. So, she said to that angel that she was aware that the devil can appear in the form of an angel, but without a cross on him. She asked him if he could be a devil. Then, I poor Theophimos, answered her, " I saw the angels of heaven taking the soul of the great St. Marina and ascending to heaven while they were enchanting with joy. The devil surely envies the believers who are cured every day when they visit her body and gain her blessing."Suddenly, the blessed martyr Marina, came to us in a white robe with golden crosses over it. She greeted us and said to her nanny, "Blessed be the Lord who fulfilled to me all what I asked Him. He promised me that my spirit would be in the Paradise, while my body will be all over the world. That way the Lord would protect all those who touch a part of my body. You should know that the one who appeared to you in the form of an illustrious angel was my enemy, the devil. Cast him away with the sign of the cross. The Archangel Michael will give those who pray to God in any place where a part of my body is kept, all what they ask for. This year all idol worshipping will cease. I ask you to build a church in my name, in the place where the marble casket is kept.
(2) I, the miserable Theophimos, spoke with the saint’s nanny about building the church which the elect martyr desired to have. She answered that she was, in fact, joyous and eager to see the church erected, but she was afraid that they might not have the money or the ability to finish the project. I answered her that we were going to ask for help from God and His believers, and He would, surely, soften their hearts to build the church through the intercessions of the great Saint Marina. While we were talking, Saint Marina appeared to us in her splendid white robe, with golden crosses all over it, and she greeted us, then, she said to her nanny, "Didn’t I say to you that the Lord Christ had promised to grant me all what I asked Him? Why, then, did you doubt Him? Rise, nanny, with Theophimos and start working. The Lord will help you, and the church’s building will be completed." She, then, disappeared in great glory.In the morning, a group of masons came to us and told us that they had a dream. In their dream, behold, there was a glorious queen who ordered them to come to a person named Theophimos for the purpose of digging the foundation of a church. She promised them that she would pay their wages. She even showed them, in the dream, the place where the church would be erected. She marked, herself, the boundaries of the foundation with chalk, and showed them a marble casket which should be included in that building. When they asked about her name, she answered, "Marina."I called the nanny and told her about the masons. We all, then, went together to the casket and found that the place was, indeed, marked with chalk. The masons were amazed, and shouted glorifying the God of Saint Marina. They immediately started digging the foundation.At the sixth hour (twelve noon,) some merchants arrived and told us that they had traveled from their land loaded with a lot of merchandise and money. When they approached Antioch, they were attacked by highway robbers who plundered them of all what they had. They remained all day chagrined and hungry, and in that evening, one of them started reading the biography of Saint Marina. He reached her prayer, before her martyrdom, where she said, "..and whomsoever travels in an awful route, whether it be by land or in the sea, help him, O Lord and return him to his home safely." They then screamed asking for the intercession of the elect Martyr Marina. They vowed to give tithes of whatever they recover from the robbers to Saint Marina. Suddenly a great king appeared to them accompanied by an honorable queen. They had with them the thieves in handcuffs and all the goods and the money which the merchants had lost to the thieves earlier that day. The king and the queen returned their properties to them and instructed them to give what they vowed to the church of St. Marina in Antioch. The queen said to give what they had promised for the church to Theophimos, and with it she gave them fifty ounces of gold to deliver it to him for the same purpose. The merchants asked about their names, and knew that they were Archangel Michael and the elect martyr Saint MarinaNext morning, Ten men came to us with thirty camels with them. On each of the camels there was a huge load of stones. They told us that they arrived from a far land and when they had approached Antioch, they unloaded the camels and set them to pasture on the grass. They also started to have some food. When they finished eating, they fetched the camels, but they did not find them. Moreover, when they tried to go back to their place where they left the stones, they discovered that they were lost. They were greatly disturbed, and thought that they would surely die. They started to pray and ask for the intercession of Saint Marina. To their great surprise, and delight, St. Marina came to their rescue. She asked them to follow her, and she guided them to the place of their load of stones, and they found the camels with it. The saint told them to take the stones to her church in Antioch, and guided them to our place.When the masons finished the construction, the carpenters started to work. At that time, a man came from Antioch and said to us, "My master is a wood merchant. One day, a terrible fire threatened all the wood in his store. He stood up praying to God, and asked for the intercession of St. Marina so she would save his trade and he vowed to donate one quarter of his wood to her church if she did. Immediately, Archangel Michael appeared to him in an illustrious form, holding a golden cross in his hand. He extended his hand with the cross towards the fire and said, ‘The Almighty God who extinguished the fire from around the Three Holy Young men will put off this fire.’ The fire was extinguished, and all the wood was saved." The man added, "And now my master is asking you to send someone to carry the wood that he had vowed to donate to the church."From all these pledges, the building of the church was completed. His Holiness Pope Gregory came to consecrate it with some Metropolitans, Bishops and priests. They saw the great Saint Marina in their midst. The consecration of the church was on the twenty-third day of the month of Hator. May her intercession always be with us. Amen
.II-THE HEALING OF THE BLEEDER AND HER LEPER SISTER: There was a very rich Jewish woman in the city of Lystra. She suffered from a chronic severe bleeding. For seven long years, no physician could help her, and she spent a good deal of her money in vain. She became wasted, pale and bed ridden. One day a group of her Christian neighbors visited her, and told her that they were on their way to Antioch in Pisidia to celebrate the feast of the blessed martyr St. Marina in her church. She began asking them about St. Marina, and they briefed her about the intercessions of the saint and the miracles which took place in her church. The Jewish lady asked them if she could accompany them and go to her church seeking her intercession. But they told her that she could not do that until she was baptized and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. The lady, then, felt a great urge to go to St. Marina’s church and pray there. As if a grace came over her and convinced her that if she did, if she was baptized, believed and prayed to Jesus and asked for St. Marina’s intercession, she would surely gain the cure which she had, for so long, asked for. She immediately called four strong men, who carried her over a stretcher, and brought her to the church, with her Christian neighbors.There, in the church, she asked the priests to baptize her, so she would be able to approach the holy body of St. Marina. She was baptized, had communion and prayed beside the marble casket and spent her night beside it. In the morning, she woke up completely cured. She told the priests that she saw in her dream St. Marina and heard her saying to her, "Now that you are healed, keep the baptism which you have gained holy." She vowed to celebrate the feast of the holy martyr every year. After three days the lady returned home with her Christian neighbors.When her husband and relatives saw that she was completely healed, they were extremely amazed. They inquired from her about what had happened, and she told them all about her baptism, communion and the intercessions of St. Marina. They, then, said to her, "If what you have told us is true, we would like to see the power of the intercession of St. Marina in curing your sister’s leprosy. And if the martyr’s prayers heal your sister, we all are going to seek baptism and become Christians." She told them that she brought some holy oil from the church of St. Marina. They called for a priest who prayed for the sister, anointed her with the oil, and she was cured. They were baptized and became Christians. The family presented three golden oil lamps and expensive curtains and many other valuable gifts to the church. They were also persevering to celebrate the feast of St. Marina every year.May her intercession be with us. Amen.
III-THE MARTYR PROTECTS HER CHURCH: When numerous miracles took place in the church of St. Marina, the devil envied everyone who gained from her blessings. He became adamant to conceal her body by some cunning trick.The devil appeared in the form of a great king with many servants and followers, to a Jewish man who lived in Antioch in Pisidia . The devil promised this Jew to make him rich and to give him many presents of gold if he could find a way to steal the body of St. Marina, plus whatever he could take from the vessels and curtains, from her church. The Jew went to a Christian man named John, who was related to one of the Church Board members. The Jew told John about his intention and wanted to make a deal with him to pay him if he would leave the church door open after the Vespers Prayer. John warned the Jew about the consequences of his robbery. He explained to him the power of the miracles St. Marina performs in her church, and what could happen to him if he despised her holy place. The Jewish man did not believe anything he told him. One Saturday evening, John, after the Vespers Prayer, left the church door open. He was saying to himself that he believed that St. Marina was capable to protect her church and give a rough lesson to the Jew.In the thick of the night, the Jew sneaked in the dark and was in his way to the church, when St. Marina appeared to him and asked him about what was he intended to do at that time of the night. He told her that he had challenged a Christian that he could steal Marina’s body from her church and sell it; and if he succeeded, that Christian would convert to Judaism. He added, "I am going to see what miracle can a dead body punish me with !"He entered the church, and looked in the room where the icon of St. Marina was displayed. There were three golden oil- lamps hanging in front of her icon. He stretched his arm to one of the wooden corbels from which the lamp was hanging, but his hand was glued to the wood. He was hanging in the air and started screaming, "O Saint Marina, have mercy on me !" St. Marina appeared to him in a dazzling light and said to him, "You have no way out until the priests would arrive in the morning and see you hanging there." In the morning, all the congregation witnessed that great miracle, and heard the Jew confessing his sin. He became Christian and served in the church of St. Marina for the rest of his life.
2008
Ink on mat board
7.125 x 9.625 inches
I drew this image a little less than a year ago, and I'm frankly surprised I hadn't already documented it. I think I may remember being less than pleased with the drawing because of the quickness of its construction, which often makes me suspicious of an image's merit.
Anyhow, I got the idea for this when I spotted one of the myriad emergency landing diagrams commonly seen aboard planes. The chutes emerging from the sides of the craft reminded me of the larvae of the parasitic wasps in the family Braconidae. Here's a photo for your edification!
© Ashley Anderson
Le cimetière chinois de Nolette est un cimetière situé le territoire de la commune française de Noyelles-sur-Mer où sont inhumés les travailleurs civils chinois employés par l'armée britannique pendant la Première Guerre mondiale.
Il s'agit du plus grand cimetière chinois de France et d'Europe
Pendant la Première Guerre mondiale, Noyelles abrita une importante base arrière britannique dont un grand camp de coolies (travailleurs immigrés chinois). Ils furent recrutés par l'armée britannique entre 1917 et 1919 dans le cadre du corps de travailleurs chinois (en anglais, Chinese Labour Corps), pour des tâches de manutention à l'arrière du front mais certains connaitront les zones de combat.
Ils représentent l'une des premières immigrations chinoises en France. Ils avaient l'interdiction de se mêler à la population civile du lieu. Certains resteront en France après la Grande Guerre.
Chinois en France
L'entrée du cimetière chinois de Nolette.
Ils étaient affectés à des tâches pénibles et dangereuses comme le terrassement de tranchées, le ramassage des soldats morts sur le champ de bataille, le déminage des terrains reconquis, la blanchisserie, les services de santé auprès des malades, en particulier ceux atteints de la grippe espagnole...
En 1921, le gouvernement britannique décida l'édification du cimetière chinois à Nolette. Le Major Truelove est chargé de sa réalisation sous l'autorité d'Edwin Lutyens.
Depuis 2002, le cimetière de Nolette est le lieu de célébration de la Fête de Qing Ming (Fête des Morts chinoise) en France organisée par le Conseil pour l'intégration des communautés d'origine chinoise en France.
On trouve dans le département de la Somme des tombes de coolies dans les cimetières d'Abbeville, Albert, Daours, Gézaincourt, Tincourt-Boucly et Villers-Carbonnel.
Propriété de l'État français et gérée par la Commonwealth War Graves Commission, la nécropole située près du hameau de Nolette dans la commune de Noyelles-sur-Mer a été inaugurée en 1921 par le Préfet de la Somme. 849 travailleurs chinois sont inhumés à Noyelles-sur-Mer. La plupart travaillait au camp chinois de l'armée britannique situé sur la commune entre 1917 et 1919.
Tombe de Yang Shiyue 楊十月 originaire du Shandong, mort le 12 janvier 19191.
Beaucoup sont morts d'une épidémie de choléra qui a sévi dans le camp, de la grippe espagnole en 1918-1919 ou de la tuberculose, voire tués dans les zones de combat.
Le site est caractérisée par le portail d'entrée, les inscriptions sur les tombes et les essences d'arbres (pins, cèdres...) qu'on ne rencontre pas dans les autres cimetières du Commonwealth ainsi que par l'absence de croix du Sacrifice et de pierre du Souvenir.
Les tombes de ce cimetière sont constituées de 849 stèles en marbre blanc, avec sur chacune d'elle gravée une inscription en anglais « Faithful unto Death » ou « Though dead he still liveth » ou encore « A good reputation endures for ever » ainsi que des idéogrammes chinois et parfois, très rarement, le nom en anglais ou le matricule du défunt.
Le porche monumental et le mur de l'entrée tiennent lieu de mémorial pour la quarantaine de Chinois morts sur terre ou sur mer sans tombes connues.
Des statues de lions offerts par la République populaire de Chine sont situées, non loin de la nécropole, à l'entrée de la rue qui mène au cimetière de Nolette
Le cimetière chinois de Nolette est un cimetière situé le territoire de la commune française de Noyelles-sur-Mer où sont inhumés les travailleurs civils chinois employés par l'armée britannique pendant la Première Guerre mondiale.
Il s'agit du plus grand cimetière chinois de France et d'Europe
Pendant la Première Guerre mondiale, Noyelles abrita une importante base arrière britannique dont un grand camp de coolies (travailleurs immigrés chinois). Ils furent recrutés par l'armée britannique entre 1917 et 1919 dans le cadre du corps de travailleurs chinois (en anglais, Chinese Labour Corps), pour des tâches de manutention à l'arrière du front mais certains connaitront les zones de combat.
Ils représentent l'une des premières immigrations chinoises en France. Ils avaient l'interdiction de se mêler à la population civile du lieu. Certains resteront en France après la Grande Guerre.
Chinois en France
L'entrée du cimetière chinois de Nolette.
Ils étaient affectés à des tâches pénibles et dangereuses comme le terrassement de tranchées, le ramassage des soldats morts sur le champ de bataille, le déminage des terrains reconquis, la blanchisserie, les services de santé auprès des malades, en particulier ceux atteints de la grippe espagnole...
En 1921, le gouvernement britannique décida l'édification du cimetière chinois à Nolette. Le Major Truelove est chargé de sa réalisation sous l'autorité d'Edwin Lutyens.
Depuis 2002, le cimetière de Nolette est le lieu de célébration de la Fête de Qing Ming (Fête des Morts chinoise) en France organisée par le Conseil pour l'intégration des communautés d'origine chinoise en France.
On trouve dans le département de la Somme des tombes de coolies dans les cimetières d'Abbeville, Albert, Daours, Gézaincourt, Tincourt-Boucly et Villers-Carbonnel.
Propriété de l'État français et gérée par la Commonwealth War Graves Commission, la nécropole située près du hameau de Nolette dans la commune de Noyelles-sur-Mer a été inaugurée en 1921 par le Préfet de la Somme. 849 travailleurs chinois sont inhumés à Noyelles-sur-Mer. La plupart travaillait au camp chinois de l'armée britannique situé sur la commune entre 1917 et 1919.
Tombe de Yang Shiyue 楊十月 originaire du Shandong, mort le 12 janvier 19191.
Beaucoup sont morts d'une épidémie de choléra qui a sévi dans le camp, de la grippe espagnole en 1918-1919 ou de la tuberculose, voire tués dans les zones de combat.
Le site est caractérisée par le portail d'entrée, les inscriptions sur les tombes et les essences d'arbres (pins, cèdres...) qu'on ne rencontre pas dans les autres cimetières du Commonwealth ainsi que par l'absence de croix du Sacrifice et de pierre du Souvenir.
Les tombes de ce cimetière sont constituées de 849 stèles en marbre blanc, avec sur chacune d'elle gravée une inscription en anglais « Faithful unto Death » ou « Though dead he still liveth » ou encore « A good reputation endures for ever » ainsi que des idéogrammes chinois et parfois, très rarement, le nom en anglais ou le matricule du défunt.
Le porche monumental et le mur de l'entrée tiennent lieu de mémorial pour la quarantaine de Chinois morts sur terre ou sur mer sans tombes connues.
Des statues de lions offerts par la République populaire de Chine sont situées, non loin de la nécropole, à l'entrée de la rue qui mène au cimetière de Nolette
Grotesque
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Grotesque (disambiguation).
Renaissance grotesque motifs in assorted formats.
The word grotesque comes from the same Latin root as "grotto", which originated from Greek krypte "hidden place",[1] meaning a small cave or hollow. The original meaning was restricted to an extravagant style of Ancient Roman decorative art rediscovered and then copied in Rome at the end of the 15th century. The "caves" were in fact rooms and corridors of the Domus Aurea, the unfinished palace complex started by Nero after the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64, which had become overgrown and buried, until they were broken into again, mostly from above. Spreading from Italian to the other European languages, the term was long used largely interchangeably with arabesque and moresque for types of decorative patterns using curving foliage elements.
Since at least the 18th century (in French and German as well as English), grotesque has come to be used as a general adjective for the strange, fantastic, ugly, incongruous, unpleasant, or disgusting, and thus is often used to describe weird shapes and distorted forms such as Halloween masks. In art, performance, and literature, grotesque, however, may also refer to something that simultaneously invokes in an audience a feeling of uncomfortable bizarreness as well as empathic pity. More specifically, the grotesque forms on Gothic buildings, when not used as drain-spouts, should not be called gargoyles, but rather referred to simply as grotesques, or chimeras.[2]
Rémi Astruc has argued that although there is an immense variety of motifs and figures, the three main tropes of the grotesque are doubleness, hybridity and metamorphosis.[3] Beyond the current understanding of the grotesque as an aesthetic category, he demonstrated how the grotesque functions as a fundamental existential experience. Moreover, Astruc identifies the grotesque as a crucial, and potentially universal, anthropological device that societies have used to conceptualize alterity and change.[not verified in body]
"this insatiable desire of man sometimes prefers to an ordinary building, with its pillars and doors, one falsely constructed in grotesque style, with pillars formed of children growing out of stalks of flowers, with architraves and cornices of branches of myrtle and doorways of reeds and other things, all seeming impossible and contrary to reason, yet yet it may be really great work if it is performed by a skillful artist."[5]
In architecture the term "grotesque" means a carved stone figure.
Grotesques are often confused with gargoyles, but the distinction is that gargoyles are figures that contain a water spout through the mouth, while grotesques do not. This type of sculpture is also called a chimera. Used correctly, the term gargoyle refers to mostly eerie figures carved specifically as terminations to spouts which convey water away from the sides of buildings. In the Middle Ages, the term babewyn was used to refer to both gargoyles and grotesques.
Grotesques and Other Monsters
"Grotesques are the diverse beasts, hybrid creatures and fantasy scenes involving animals and humans found in various forms of Gothic art. The ultimate source of much of this imagery is in Roman art, some themes came from the combat scenes between men and beast used in the sculpture and decorative initials of the Romanesque period. The late thirteenth and the fourteenth century saw an unprecedented elaboration of this type of fantasy subject, in the borders of manuscripts, and in decorative sculpture and woodwork - especially misericords", small ledge-like projections on the other side of choir stall seats to give support when long standing was required. (T&H 110) Grotesques also frequently appeared on roof bosses, carved projections of stone or wood placed at the intersections of ribs in vaults. After the erection of the Canterbury Cathedral in the thirteenth century they became a usual architectural device. (T&H 207)
In difference to gargoyles, grotesques serve no architectural but purely ornamental functions. Sometimes - and with the very same meaning - also called chimera, their other functions may be similar to those of the gargoyles (see above). The placing of grotesques, obviously secular and even occasionally erotic, in a religious context, is a mixture very characteristic of the later Middle Ages. The popularity of grotesques declined after ca. 1350, though they still occur in the fifteenth century, particularly in sculpture and woodcarving. At that time they were usually called babewyneries (T&H) or babewyns (Benton) (from Italian babunio 'baboon'), because predominant in many animal scenes were monkeys and apes. (T&H 110; Benton 10) For the symbolism of grotesques, see chapter Gargoyles.
Religious Opposition to Grotesque Statuary
Gargoyles and grotesques were very expensive compared to their lack of functional use in religious ceremony. They caused arguments because most of them are too far away to see them properly, but were carved with high concern about details. And if they could be seen properly, they also were reasons for criticism, as for example voiced by St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) of the Cistercian order:
"What are these fantastic monsters doing in the cloisters under the very eyes of the brothers as they read? What is the meaning of these unclean monkeys, strange savage lions and monsters? To what purpose are here placed these creatures, half beast, half man? I see several bodies with one head and several heads with one body. Here is a quadriped with a serpent's head, there a fish with a quadruped's head, then again an animal half horse, half goat ... Surely if we do not blush for such absurdities we should at least regret what we have spent on them."
(Online 1)
Clairvaux thought the monks to be distracted by gargoyles. But critics like Clairvaux were in the minority. Most of the clergy was convinced of the use or at least "beauty" of gargoyles and grotesques.
It seems, that in Gothic grotesque sculpture most depictions were connected with the temptations, and with sins and sinners. After all, a warning can be interpreted into almost all gargoyles and grotesques. But for all this, one should never forget that with gargoyles everything is possible: they could also be simple devices for drainage, allowing the sculptors to have a little fun, to caricature their contemporaries. Sometimes it even seems as if there was a competition to create the most implausible gargoyle. Today this, or a competition with a similar aim, is more certainly the case. (Benton 122) So the popularity of gargoyles never really declined. Did they in medieval times maybe frighten the people, today they amuse them.
The most beautiful is the Vieille Bourse, the old stock exchange. It was built by Julien Destrée in 1653 whose commission was to build an exchange to ‘rival that of any great city’. It was also a commission motivated greatly by the persistent ill-health of the Lillois bankers and merchants. Trading had always taken place in the unprotected open air at the Fontaine-au-Change on the Place du Vieux-Marché in all types of weather. As a result the bankers endured regular bouts of flu and colds. By 1651 they had had enough and took their wheezy deputation to the Magistrate. The Magistrate, in sympathy with their cause, put in an application to Philip IV, King of Spain and the Count of Flanders, for a more suitable stock exchange. The result is a quandrangle of 24 privately purchased, ornately decorated yet identical houses surrounding an interior rectangular courtyard where trading could take place. Access into the courtyard is through any one of the four arches located at each of the four sides.
Grand Place home to Vieille Bourse
There are three levels to the houses. The ground floor was reserved for and tenanted by stylish shops chosen for their ability to complement the overall beauty of the decor. The wealth of Flemish Renaissance style decoration includes cute chubby cherubs, garlands and marks that frame the windows.
The four entrances are marked with cornucopias, symbolic of wealth and happiness; Turkish turbanned heads tell of their Eastern markets and the Lions of Flanders signify that Lille once belonged to the Netherlands. Under the arcades there are medallions and tablets in honour of great men of science.
Unfortunately with the passage of time, the Bourse became dilapidated and had to undergo serious restoration. The task was undertaken by two dozen big enterprises including Auchan, La Redoute and Le Crédit du Nord. This was the biggest restoration project of private sponsorship ever known in France. Below the windows on the second floor are the colourful emblems of these sponsors.
1853 : Visite de Napoléon III à la Bourse
Le 23 septembre 1853, la chambre de commerce de Lille inaugure la pose de la première pierre d'une statue de Napoléon 1er dans l'immeuble qui sera appelé plus tard "Vielle Bourse" et organise une réception en la présence de Napoléon III. C'est le début d'un chantier de rénovation des portes et de la galerie qui est confié à Charles Benvignat, architecte de la ville. Frédéric Kuhlmann, président de la chambre de commerce de Lille, y fait un discours remarqué sur l'essor de l'industrie nationale. La Bourse de Lille accueille alors un groupe de mines de charbon en forte expansion.
Un panorama historique des figures de l'industrialisation en France et à Lille est inclus dans le discours3 de Frédéric Kuhlmann lors de cet événement, correspondant aux tableaux en l'honneur des savants et inventeurs qui ont rendu les services les plus éminents4, apposés l'année suivante sur les murs de la cour intérieure de la Vielle Bourse. Y est fait référence au décret de Bois-le-Duc du 12 mai 1810 « qui accorde un prix d'un million de francs à l'inventeur de la meilleure machine propre à filer le lin » (Philippe de Girard), encourageant la création d'usines de filature mécanique du lin, et les décrets des 25 mars 1811 et 15 janvier 1812, promouvant la fabrication de sucre de betterave (Louis-François-Xavier Crespel-Delisse). « En encouragent par des récompenses nationales la création en France de la filature mécanique du lin et de la fabrication du sucre de betterave, comme il l'avait fait pour la filature de coton et le tissage, Napoléon avait pressenti toute l'influence que les industries nouvelles pouvaient exercer (...) Napoléon Ier pouvait-il espérer qu'en moins d'un demi-siècle, la filature mécanique de lin compterait 60 établissements dans la seule ville de Lille; qu'un seul département, faisant mouvoir 250 000 broches, occuperait à ce travail 12 000 ouvriers ? (...) Nos chemins de fer, nos canaux, nos ports, tous ces auxiliaires de l'activité humaine ont attiré simultanément votre attention. (...) Il n'est pas d'homme aux idées plus abstraites qu'Ampère, et certes on ne saurait, au premier aperçu, à quel titre il prendrait place dans ce Panthéon de l'industrie, et cependant ses travaux ont donné ouverture à la télégraphie électrique (et aux) applications industrielles de l'électricité. (...) Déjà ne voyez-vous pas la chaîne du métier à la Jacquard s'animer sous le courant électrique, sans le secours des cartons dus à l'invention de l'immortel artisan ? Demain, oui demain, ce ne sera plus la pensée seulement qui se transmettra instantanément à des distances infinies, c'est Liszt qui, de son cabinet, fera entendre les prodiges de ses notes sonores sur le théâtre de Londres ou de Saint-Pétersbourg. (...) glorification vivante des génies qui ont concouru à l'édification de notre prospérité agricole et manufacturière (...) Il y verra Leblanc affranchir le pays d'un lourd tribut payé à l'étranger (...) ». Parmi une quinzaine de savants et inventeurs français cités par Frédéric Kuhlmann, sont mis en exergue Philippe de Girard, inventeur de la machine à filer le lin, réintroduite à Lille par Antoine Scrive-Labbe, Jacquard pour le tissage, Oberkampf, François Richard-Lenoir et Liévin Bauwens pour l'industrie du coton, et en chimie Berthollet, Leblanc, Achard, Vauquelin, Brongniart, Conté, Chaptal, Gay-Lussac, et aussi Arago, Ampère et Monge.
Est annexée au document support du discours de Kuhlmann et remis à Napoléon III une liste de patrons lillois et leurs domaines d'activités industrielles en 1853, particulièrement dans les domaines de la construction de machines et mécanique, du tissage et filature mécanique du lin et du coton, la teinturerie, apprêts, rouissage, la fabrication de produits chimiques, noir animal et colorants, soude artificielle, savonnerie, l'agroalimentaire avec la raffinerie du sucre et la fabrication de chicorée. Le débat sur le protectionnisme et le libre échange est déjà en gestation dans les discours de 1853, prélude au Traité Cobden-Chevalier de libre échange franco-anglais applicable de 1860 à 1892 et qui accroît la concurrence, nécessitant des ingénieurs pour mettre en œuvre les meilleures pratiques industrielles.
À la fin de ce discours, Napoléon III délègue au sénateur Jean-Baptiste Dumas, ancien ministre et cofondateur de l'École centrale des arts et manufactures, le soin de venir à Lille le 9 octobre 1853 pour des échanges avec Frédéric Kuhlmann sur l'établissement d'une école supérieure industrielle, qui est aujourd'hui devenue l'École centrale de Lille.
La statue de l'Empereur Napoléon, protecteur de l'industrie, dont la première pierre a été posée en 1853, a été transférée au Palais des beaux-arts de Lille en 1976.
The Centre Pompidou Metz is a museum of modern and contemporary arts designed by architects Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines and located in Metz, capital of Lorraine, France. It is built in the Amphitheatre District, near the Metz railway station and the German Imperial District. The Centre Pompidou-Metz is a branch of Pompidou arts centre of Paris, and features temporary exhibitions from the large collection of the French National Museum of Modern Art, the largest European collection of 20th and 21st century arts. The museum is the largest temporary exhibition space outside Paris in France with 5,000 metres square divided between 3 galleries and includes also a theatre, an auditorium, and a restaurant terrace.
The first piece of the monument was laid on November 7, 2006, and the building was inaugurated by the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, on May 12, 2010. The building is remarkable for its roof structure, one of the largest and most complex built to date, which was inspired by a Chinese hat found in Paris by Shigeru Ban.
The Centre Pompidou-Metz is a large hexagon structured round a central spire reaching 77 metres high, alluding to the 1977 opening date of the original Centre Pompidou of Paris. It possesses three rectangular galleries weaving through the building at different levels, jutting out through the roof with huge picture windows angled towards landmarks such as the Saint-Stephen Gothic cathedral, the Imperial Metz railway station, the Arsenal Concert Hall built by architect Ricardo Bofill, the Arènes indoor sport arena, and the Seille park. The great nave covers 1,200 m² and provides flexibility for the exhibition of large artworks, with the ceiling rising progressively from a height of 5.70 to 18 metres.
View on the carpentry structure.
Central spire supporting the carpentry.
Joan Miró, Blue I, Blue II, and Blue III, 1961, triptych in October 2010, during the exhibition Masterpieces?.
The roof is the major achievement of the building: a 90 meters wide hexagon echoing the building’s floor map. With a surface area of 8,000 metres square, the roof structure is composed of sixteen kilometres of glued laminated timber, that intersect to form hexagonal wooden units resembling the cane-work pattern of a Chinese hat. The roof’s geometry is irregular, featuring curves and counter-curves over the entire building, and in particular the three exhibition galleries. Imitating this kind of hat and its protective fabric, the entire wooden structure is covered with a white fibreglass membrane and a coating of teflon, which has the distinction of being self-cleaning, protect from direct sunlight while providing a transparent at night.
The Pompidou-Metz itself and its parvise, named Human Rights square, are built on the site of the Roman amphitheatre of Divodurum Medriomaticum (ancestor of present-day Metz). So, the building is the cornerstone of the newly created Amphitheater district. The district of 50 hectares, thought by architects Nicolas Michelin, Jean-Paul Viguier, and Christian de Portzamparc, is currently under construction and includes the edification of a convention centre and a shopping mall. The quarter encompasses already the Seille park designed by landscape architect Jacques Coulon and the Arènes indoor sport arena by Paul Chemetov built in 2002. The urban project completion is expected to take place by 2015.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Classroom blocks at UNIKIS, Kisangani - DRC.
Photo by Axel Fassio/CIFOR-ICRAF
If you use one of our photos, please credit it accordingly and let us know. You can reach us through our Flickr account or at: news@cifor-icraf.org and a.sanjaya@cifor-icraf.org
Kind of a more subtle scene in some ways, but I really connected with it.. maybe it's the fact that my parents made me hike countless desert washes as a kid :)
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Adventures for your entertainment and edification: artinnature.wordpress.com/
Sporting Chance Center, Tucson, AZ Jan 19, 2014 — Club Cactus # 9 shows great effort in digging under the ball.
PENTAX K-5
smc PENTAX-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM, @ 75mm
ISO 1600, ƒ4, 1/250
Jannatin Aliah (Titin) gives a lesson. The elementary school that she runs in Pengerak village is a distance class of state elementary school in Jongkong municipality, West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Photo by Ramadian Bachtiar/CIFOR
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Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby KG PC (29 March 1799 – 23 October 1869) was an English statesman, three times Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and to date the longest serving leader of the Conservative Party. He was known before 1834 as Edward Stanley, and from 1834 to 1851 as Lord Stanley. His record was unusual, since he is one of only four British Prime Ministers to have three or more separate periods in office. However his ministries all lasted less than two years, and totalled 3 years 280 days.
Edward George Geoffrey Smith Stanley was the eldest son of Edward Smith Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby, and Charlotte Margaret, second daughter of the Reverend Geoffrey Hornby. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, where he won the Chancellor's Prize for Latin verse with his poem, Syracuse. During his grandfather's lifetime he was Member of Parliament for Stockbridge 1822 1826, for Preston 1826 1830 and was Under Secretary for the Colonies in Canning's ministry 1827, but declined to serve under the Duke of Wellington. He was Chief Secretary for Ireland 1830 1833, having been defeated at Preston, but being found a seat at Windsor which he held 1831 1832. In that year he succeeded his father as Member for North Lancashire a seat which he held until 1844. A supporter of reform, his speeches in the house were important to the success of the Great Reform Bill. He was Secretary of State for the Colonies 1833 1834 and again from 1841 1845. On his grandfather's death in 1844, he entered the House of Lords in his father's Barony as Lord Stanley, and succeeded his father 30 June 1851. In 1852, 1858 and 1866 he was First Lord of the Treasury. He was also a Knight of the Garter 1859, a Grand Cross of St Michael and St George, a Privy Councillor, a D.C.L. Chancellor of Oxford University, and a Fellow of the Linnean Society. He married, in May 1825, Emma Caroline, second daughter of Edward Lord Skelmersdale. The library of the Earls of Derby at Knowsley was largely sold by auction at Christies in four sales on 19 and 20th October and 17th and 18th December 1953 and 23rd and 24th March and 3rd and 4th May 1954.
Biography in Wikipedia at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Smith-Stanley,_14th_Earl_of_...
Bookplate pasted in "Certaine considerations touching the better pacification and edification of the Church of England .. by Francis Bacon (Published in London in 1604) Now in the Fisher Collection, University of Toronto
La petite ville de Guérande est aux portes des marais salants. L’édification de cette place forte fut initiée par un Duc de Bretagne, Jean IV alias Jean de Montfort, en 1343. Elle fut terminée au XVème siècle. Ceinte de remparts, comme toute place forte qui se respecte, elle mérite qu'on emprunte la porte Saint-Michel pour y pénétrer.
La porte Saint-Michel ouvre directement sur la rue du même nom. Dès les premiers pas, on est plongé dans l’ambiance médiévale. Les ruelles sont étroites et pavées, les échoppes qui les encadrent se remarquent par leurs enseignes en fer forgé.
The small town of Guérande is at the gates of salt marshes. The construction of this stronghold was initiated by a Duke of Brittany, Jean IV alias Jean de Montfort, in 1343. It was completed in the 15th century. Surrounded by ramparts, like any stronghold that respects itself, it deserves that one borrows the door Saint-Michel to penetrate there.
The Saint-Michel door opens directly on the street of the same name. From the first steps, we are immersed in the medieval atmosphere. The alleys are narrow and paved, the stalls that frame them are noticeable by their wrought iron signs.
Probarona Purnima, also known as Ashwini Purnima is the second largest festival of the Buddhist community, the festival marks conclusion of the three-month long seclusion of the monks inside their monasteries for self-edification and atonement of their defilement.
The festival follows a month-long preaching of sermons by the Buddhist monks for the welfare of every beings and whole humankind through yellow robes offering ceremony.
The day also celebrates another event in the life of Buddha.
According to legend, Buddha once clipped some strands of hair from his head and said that if he was qualified to attain supreme wisdom and enlightenment, the hairs would not fall down but go up instead, which they did.
To mark this event, Buddhists ignited and send up balloons made of colored paper to flow towards the sky as a symbol of lighting up the sky which is the chief attraction of the festival.
[Collected]
Down the hill from Challock and Kings Wood, sitting on the junction of two ancient high roads, but now split in half by the A20, Charing is delightful.
It is nine years perhaps since I was last here. I took two shots outside, and four inside.
How could I have been so blind?
Charing is a tangle of narrow lanes and timber framed houses, with the church at the end of a narrow lane which ends in what used to be the market place. To the north of the square sits what used to be the Bishop's Palace, still an impressive collection of buildings, although now a private dwelling and a farm.
I found the church open, and was first struck by its fine decoration and impressive size.
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A large church beautifully positioned next to the remains of the medieval Archbishop's Palace just off the High Street. The west tower was built in the late fifteenth century. During its construction the body of the church was destroyed in an accidental fire - started by a man shooting at pigeons on the roof. The replacement roofs are clearly dated on the tie-beams as 1592 and 1620. A fine early seventeenth-century pulpit and nice collection of eighteenth-century tablets add much to the character of the building. The south nave window is a very strange shape, basically square, with four lights of equal height surmounted by a net of elaborate triangles, quatrefoils and, unusually, an octofoil! It is of fourteenth-century date.
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Charing
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CHARING
IS the adjoining parish to Westwell north-westward. It is written in Domesday, Cheringes, and in other antient records, Cerringes and Cherring.
It lies partly below and partly above the upper range of chalk hills, where there is much woodland. It is a healthy, though not a very pleasant situation, from the nature of the soils in it, all which are but poor; about the town or village, and to the summit of the hill it is chalky; above the hill a red cludgy earth covered with slints, and below the town mostly a sand. At the western boundary, next to Lenham, is Charing heath; it is watered by several small streamlets, which rising near the foot of the hills, direct their course southward into the Stour, which runs towards Ashford just below the boundary of it. The village, or town of Charing, as it is more usually called, stands at the foot of the hill, called from it Charing-hill, over which the high road leads through it from Faversham, through Smarden and Biddenden, and thence to Cranbrooke and Tenterden in the Weald. The high road likewise from Ashford, since the new turnpike has been completed, is made by new cuts to pass through this town and Lenham, instead of its former more southern circuit by Chilson park and Sandway towards Maidstone, shortening its distance considerably. Notwithstanding these roads, there is no great matter of traffic through it, the town is unpaved, and has a clean countryfied look, there is a good house in it, formerly belonging to the Poole's, whose arms were, Azure, a lion rampant, argent, semee, of fleur de lis, or. Afterwards to Dr. Ludwell, who bore for his arms, Gules, on a bend, argent, three eagles, azure, between two castles of the second; and then to the Carter's, one of whom sold it to George Norwood, esq. who resides in it. Not far from it is an antient mansion, which has been modernized formerly, called Peirce-house, now belonging to Mr. James Wakeley, who resides in it; at a small distance from the street eastward is the ruinated palace, the church and the vicarage, a pleasant habitable dwelling.
There are large ruins of the archiepiscopal palace still remaining; the antient great gateway to it is now standing, and much of the sides of the court within it, on the east side of which seems to have been the dining-room, the walls of which remain, and it is converted into a barn. On the opposite side to this are many of the offices, now made into stables. Fronting the great gateway above-mentioned, seems to have been the entrance into the palace itself, part of which, on the east side, is fitted up as a dwelling-house, at the back of which, northward, are the remains of the chapel, the walls of which are standing entire, being built of squared stone, mixed with slints; on the side wall of it are three windows, with pointed arches, and at the east end a much larger one, of the same form. Sir Nicholas Gilborne, hereafter mentioned, as having resided here in king James I.'s reign, was son of William Gilborne, esq. of London, who lies buried in St. Catherine's Creechurch, London, descended from the Gilbornes, of Ereswike, in Yorkshire, and bore for their arms, Azure, on a chevron, or, three roses gules, within a bordure of the second. (fn. 1) Sir Nicholas had two sons and several daughters; one of whom, Anne, married Charles Wheler, esq. of Tottenham, grandfather of Sir George Wheler, D. D. and prebendary of Durham, the purchaser afterwards of this manor and palace, as will be further mentioned.
The two sairs which were granted in the 21st year of king Henry VI. are now held on April 29, and October 29, for horses, cattle, and pedlary.
The parish has in it the boroughs of Town, Sandpit, East Lenham, part of Field, and Acton.
Several of our antiquaries have supposed the Roman station, mentioned in the 2d iter of Antonine by the name of Durolevum, corruptly for Durolenum, to have been in this neighbourhood; and Dr. Plot mentions his discovery of a Roman way, which seemed to have passed the Medway at Teston, and crossing Cocksheath, pointed towards Lenham hither. Most of those who have contended for this station having been hereabouts, have fixed it at Lenham. Only two of them, Mr. Talbot and Dr. Stukeley, after much hesitation, where to place it, were for its having been here at Charing; the latter founded his opinion on the Roman antiquities, which he says, have been found all about here, which Horsley accounts for, from a supposition of this having been only a notilia way, and indeed there is but little, if any, foundation for any supposition that the station above-mentioned was here at Charing; that it was a notitia way, there is great reason to suppose, as has been already mentioned before, in the description of Lenham, to which may be added, that there is in this parish, about a mile S. S. W. from the town a hamlet called Stone-street, a name, which is a certain indication of its note in former times.
Mr. Jacob, in his Plantœ Favershamienses, has taken notice of several scarce plants in this parish, to which account the reader is referred from them.
There was a family who took their name from this parish, one of whom, Adam de Cherringes, was excommunicated by archbishop Becket, and, as it should seem, to blot out the heinousness of this offence, afterwards, in the time of archbishop Baldwin, the next successor but one to Becket, founded an hospital for leprous persons, at Romney, in honour of St. Stephen and St. Thomas Becket.
Anno 26 Edward I. the king granted licence to shut up a high road leading from Charing to Ashford.
¶The vulgar tradition, that Charing cross, in Westminster, was so called from a cross, which once stood on the summit of the hill here, which being taken from hence, was carried and set up there, is entirely without foundation; for the cross, which stood where the figure of king Charles on horseback now is at Charing-cross, in the centre of the three highways, as was then usual, was made and erected there in the year 1292, anno 21 Edward I. in that village which long before had been called Cheringes, and Charing, but which afterwards was universally called, from thence, Charing-cross. (fn. 2)
CHARING is within the ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the diocese of Canterbury, and deanry of its own name, and is exempt from the jurisdiction of the archdeacon.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is a handsome building, consisting of one isle and a transept, a high chancel and one small one on the south side of it. The tower, having a small beacon turret at one corner, is at the west end. There is only one bell in it. This tower was begun to be built of stone (for it was before of wood) at the latter end of king Edward IV.'s reign, as appears by the several legacies to the rebuilding of it, in the wills in the Prerogative-office, Canterbury, from 1479 to 1545, about which time only it seems to have been finished. On the stonework at the outside of it, are the arms of Brent, and a coat, being a star of many points, still remaining. In the year 1590 this church was consumed by fire, to the very stones of the building, which happened from a gun discharged at a pidgeon, then upon the roof of it; by which the windows and gravestones of the family of Brent were desaced. John Brent, sen. of Charing, in 1501, was buried in this church, before the door of the new chapel of the blessed Virgin Mary, where no burial had as yet been; and Amy Brent, of Charing, gentlewoman, by will in 1516, was buried within that chapel of her own edification. This chapel, now called Wickins chancel, was much defaced by the fire as above-mentioned. In the south cross was Burleigh chantry, mentioned before, which being burnt down in 1590, was repaired by John Darell, esq. of Calehill, then proprietor of it, whose arms are on the pews of it, as mentioned below. In king Richard II.'s time, the block on which St. John the Baptist was said to have been beheaded, was brought into England, and kept in this church. In the high chancel is a memorial for Samuel Belcher, gent. of Charing, obt. 1756, æt. 6l. and for his two wives. In the little chancel, now called Wickins chancel, are memorials for the Nethersoles and Derings; in the middle isle, for Peirce, Henman, and Ludwell; in the north cross monuments for Sir Robert Honywood, of Pett, and the Sayer family; in the south cross, memorials for Mushey Teale, M.D. in 1760, and for Mary his wife; his arms, Azure, a cockatrice regardant, sable; in chief, three martlets of the second. The pews in it are of oak, and much ornamented at their ends next the space with carvework, among which are these arms, a coat quarterly, first and sourth, A lion rampant, crowned; second, A fess indented, in chief, three mullets; third, Three bugle-horns stringed, impaling a fess, between three cross-croslets, fitchee. Another, Three bugle-horns stringed. Another, A lion rampant, crowned, or. Another, the crest of a Saracen's head, 1598.
The church of Charing was antiently appendant to the manor, and was part of the possessions of the see of Canterbury, to which it was appropriated before the 8th year of king Richard II. and it remained with it till archbishop Cranmer, anno 37 Henry VIII. granted that manor, and all his estates within this parish, and the advowsons of this rectory and vicarage, to the king; (fn. 10) and these advowsons remained in the crown till Edward VI. granted them, together with the advowson of the chapel of Egerton, and other premises in Essex, in exchange, in his first year, to the dean and chapter of St. Paul's, London. In which state they continue at this time, the dean and chapter of St. Paul's being now proprietors of this rectory appropriate, together with the advowson of the vicarage of this church.
¶King Henry VIII. in his 38th year, demised this rectory, and the chapel of Egerton, to Leonard Hetherington, gent. for twenty-one years, and the lease of it continued in his descendants till one of them sold his interest in it, in king James I.'s reign. to John Dering, esq. of Egerton, but by some means, long before his death in 1618, it had passed into the possession of Edward, lord Wotton. How long it continued in his family I have not found; but it afterwards was demised to the family of Barrell, of Rochester, with whom the demise of it remained for many years; and in one of their delcendants it remained down to the Rev. Edmund Marthall, vicar of this parish, who died in 1797, possessed of the lease of it.
This vicarage is valued in the king's books at thirteen pounds, and the yearly tenths at 1l. 6s. and is now of the clear yearly certified value of seventy-two pounds. In 1588 it was valued at fifty pounds. Communicants three hundred and twenty-six. In 1640, at eighty pounds. Communicants three hundred and seventy; and in 1700 it was valued at one hundred and ten pounds.
In 1535 this church was accounted a sinecure, which accounts for its having been formerly called a prebend.
Posted primarily for my edification, from an eBay listing for whatever this document specifically is. I can't believe I didn't have the wherewithal to note & record what it is...ugh.
I suppose I was preoccupied that I’d stumbled upon this rare work "twice", sort of.
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Down the hill from Challock and Kings Wood, sitting on the junction of two ancient high roads, but now split in half by the A20, Charing is delightful.
It is nine years perhaps since I was last here. I took two shots outside, and four inside.
How could I have been so blind?
Charing is a tangle of narrow lanes and timber framed houses, with the church at the end of a narrow lane which ends in what used to be the market place. To the north of the square sits what used to be the Bishop's Palace, still an impressive collection of buildings, although now a private dwelling and a farm.
I found the church open, and was first struck by its fine decoration and impressive size.
------------------------------------------
A large church beautifully positioned next to the remains of the medieval Archbishop's Palace just off the High Street. The west tower was built in the late fifteenth century. During its construction the body of the church was destroyed in an accidental fire - started by a man shooting at pigeons on the roof. The replacement roofs are clearly dated on the tie-beams as 1592 and 1620. A fine early seventeenth-century pulpit and nice collection of eighteenth-century tablets add much to the character of the building. The south nave window is a very strange shape, basically square, with four lights of equal height surmounted by a net of elaborate triangles, quatrefoils and, unusually, an octofoil! It is of fourteenth-century date.
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Charing
--------------------------------------------
CHARING
IS the adjoining parish to Westwell north-westward. It is written in Domesday, Cheringes, and in other antient records, Cerringes and Cherring.
It lies partly below and partly above the upper range of chalk hills, where there is much woodland. It is a healthy, though not a very pleasant situation, from the nature of the soils in it, all which are but poor; about the town or village, and to the summit of the hill it is chalky; above the hill a red cludgy earth covered with slints, and below the town mostly a sand. At the western boundary, next to Lenham, is Charing heath; it is watered by several small streamlets, which rising near the foot of the hills, direct their course southward into the Stour, which runs towards Ashford just below the boundary of it. The village, or town of Charing, as it is more usually called, stands at the foot of the hill, called from it Charing-hill, over which the high road leads through it from Faversham, through Smarden and Biddenden, and thence to Cranbrooke and Tenterden in the Weald. The high road likewise from Ashford, since the new turnpike has been completed, is made by new cuts to pass through this town and Lenham, instead of its former more southern circuit by Chilson park and Sandway towards Maidstone, shortening its distance considerably. Notwithstanding these roads, there is no great matter of traffic through it, the town is unpaved, and has a clean countryfied look, there is a good house in it, formerly belonging to the Poole's, whose arms were, Azure, a lion rampant, argent, semee, of fleur de lis, or. Afterwards to Dr. Ludwell, who bore for his arms, Gules, on a bend, argent, three eagles, azure, between two castles of the second; and then to the Carter's, one of whom sold it to George Norwood, esq. who resides in it. Not far from it is an antient mansion, which has been modernized formerly, called Peirce-house, now belonging to Mr. James Wakeley, who resides in it; at a small distance from the street eastward is the ruinated palace, the church and the vicarage, a pleasant habitable dwelling.
There are large ruins of the archiepiscopal palace still remaining; the antient great gateway to it is now standing, and much of the sides of the court within it, on the east side of which seems to have been the dining-room, the walls of which remain, and it is converted into a barn. On the opposite side to this are many of the offices, now made into stables. Fronting the great gateway above-mentioned, seems to have been the entrance into the palace itself, part of which, on the east side, is fitted up as a dwelling-house, at the back of which, northward, are the remains of the chapel, the walls of which are standing entire, being built of squared stone, mixed with slints; on the side wall of it are three windows, with pointed arches, and at the east end a much larger one, of the same form. Sir Nicholas Gilborne, hereafter mentioned, as having resided here in king James I.'s reign, was son of William Gilborne, esq. of London, who lies buried in St. Catherine's Creechurch, London, descended from the Gilbornes, of Ereswike, in Yorkshire, and bore for their arms, Azure, on a chevron, or, three roses gules, within a bordure of the second. (fn. 1) Sir Nicholas had two sons and several daughters; one of whom, Anne, married Charles Wheler, esq. of Tottenham, grandfather of Sir George Wheler, D. D. and prebendary of Durham, the purchaser afterwards of this manor and palace, as will be further mentioned.
The two sairs which were granted in the 21st year of king Henry VI. are now held on April 29, and October 29, for horses, cattle, and pedlary.
The parish has in it the boroughs of Town, Sandpit, East Lenham, part of Field, and Acton.
Several of our antiquaries have supposed the Roman station, mentioned in the 2d iter of Antonine by the name of Durolevum, corruptly for Durolenum, to have been in this neighbourhood; and Dr. Plot mentions his discovery of a Roman way, which seemed to have passed the Medway at Teston, and crossing Cocksheath, pointed towards Lenham hither. Most of those who have contended for this station having been hereabouts, have fixed it at Lenham. Only two of them, Mr. Talbot and Dr. Stukeley, after much hesitation, where to place it, were for its having been here at Charing; the latter founded his opinion on the Roman antiquities, which he says, have been found all about here, which Horsley accounts for, from a supposition of this having been only a notilia way, and indeed there is but little, if any, foundation for any supposition that the station above-mentioned was here at Charing; that it was a notitia way, there is great reason to suppose, as has been already mentioned before, in the description of Lenham, to which may be added, that there is in this parish, about a mile S. S. W. from the town a hamlet called Stone-street, a name, which is a certain indication of its note in former times.
Mr. Jacob, in his Plantœ Favershamienses, has taken notice of several scarce plants in this parish, to which account the reader is referred from them.
There was a family who took their name from this parish, one of whom, Adam de Cherringes, was excommunicated by archbishop Becket, and, as it should seem, to blot out the heinousness of this offence, afterwards, in the time of archbishop Baldwin, the next successor but one to Becket, founded an hospital for leprous persons, at Romney, in honour of St. Stephen and St. Thomas Becket.
Anno 26 Edward I. the king granted licence to shut up a high road leading from Charing to Ashford.
¶The vulgar tradition, that Charing cross, in Westminster, was so called from a cross, which once stood on the summit of the hill here, which being taken from hence, was carried and set up there, is entirely without foundation; for the cross, which stood where the figure of king Charles on horseback now is at Charing-cross, in the centre of the three highways, as was then usual, was made and erected there in the year 1292, anno 21 Edward I. in that village which long before had been called Cheringes, and Charing, but which afterwards was universally called, from thence, Charing-cross. (fn. 2)
CHARING is within the ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION of the diocese of Canterbury, and deanry of its own name, and is exempt from the jurisdiction of the archdeacon.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is a handsome building, consisting of one isle and a transept, a high chancel and one small one on the south side of it. The tower, having a small beacon turret at one corner, is at the west end. There is only one bell in it. This tower was begun to be built of stone (for it was before of wood) at the latter end of king Edward IV.'s reign, as appears by the several legacies to the rebuilding of it, in the wills in the Prerogative-office, Canterbury, from 1479 to 1545, about which time only it seems to have been finished. On the stonework at the outside of it, are the arms of Brent, and a coat, being a star of many points, still remaining. In the year 1590 this church was consumed by fire, to the very stones of the building, which happened from a gun discharged at a pidgeon, then upon the roof of it; by which the windows and gravestones of the family of Brent were desaced. John Brent, sen. of Charing, in 1501, was buried in this church, before the door of the new chapel of the blessed Virgin Mary, where no burial had as yet been; and Amy Brent, of Charing, gentlewoman, by will in 1516, was buried within that chapel of her own edification. This chapel, now called Wickins chancel, was much defaced by the fire as above-mentioned. In the south cross was Burleigh chantry, mentioned before, which being burnt down in 1590, was repaired by John Darell, esq. of Calehill, then proprietor of it, whose arms are on the pews of it, as mentioned below. In king Richard II.'s time, the block on which St. John the Baptist was said to have been beheaded, was brought into England, and kept in this church. In the high chancel is a memorial for Samuel Belcher, gent. of Charing, obt. 1756, æt. 6l. and for his two wives. In the little chancel, now called Wickins chancel, are memorials for the Nethersoles and Derings; in the middle isle, for Peirce, Henman, and Ludwell; in the north cross monuments for Sir Robert Honywood, of Pett, and the Sayer family; in the south cross, memorials for Mushey Teale, M.D. in 1760, and for Mary his wife; his arms, Azure, a cockatrice regardant, sable; in chief, three martlets of the second. The pews in it are of oak, and much ornamented at their ends next the space with carvework, among which are these arms, a coat quarterly, first and sourth, A lion rampant, crowned; second, A fess indented, in chief, three mullets; third, Three bugle-horns stringed, impaling a fess, between three cross-croslets, fitchee. Another, Three bugle-horns stringed. Another, A lion rampant, crowned, or. Another, the crest of a Saracen's head, 1598.
The church of Charing was antiently appendant to the manor, and was part of the possessions of the see of Canterbury, to which it was appropriated before the 8th year of king Richard II. and it remained with it till archbishop Cranmer, anno 37 Henry VIII. granted that manor, and all his estates within this parish, and the advowsons of this rectory and vicarage, to the king; (fn. 10) and these advowsons remained in the crown till Edward VI. granted them, together with the advowson of the chapel of Egerton, and other premises in Essex, in exchange, in his first year, to the dean and chapter of St. Paul's, London. In which state they continue at this time, the dean and chapter of St. Paul's being now proprietors of this rectory appropriate, together with the advowson of the vicarage of this church.
¶King Henry VIII. in his 38th year, demised this rectory, and the chapel of Egerton, to Leonard Hetherington, gent. for twenty-one years, and the lease of it continued in his descendants till one of them sold his interest in it, in king James I.'s reign. to John Dering, esq. of Egerton, but by some means, long before his death in 1618, it had passed into the possession of Edward, lord Wotton. How long it continued in his family I have not found; but it afterwards was demised to the family of Barrell, of Rochester, with whom the demise of it remained for many years; and in one of their delcendants it remained down to the Rev. Edmund Marthall, vicar of this parish, who died in 1797, possessed of the lease of it.
This vicarage is valued in the king's books at thirteen pounds, and the yearly tenths at 1l. 6s. and is now of the clear yearly certified value of seventy-two pounds. In 1588 it was valued at fifty pounds. Communicants three hundred and twenty-six. In 1640, at eighty pounds. Communicants three hundred and seventy; and in 1700 it was valued at one hundred and ten pounds.
In 1535 this church was accounted a sinecure, which accounts for its having been formerly called a prebend.
Marcus Nonius Balbus est un sénateur romain du Ier siècle av. J.-C., patron de la ville d'Herculanum.
Originaire de Nuceria, il s'installe à Herculanum.
Comme bienfaiteur de la cité d'Herculanum, il finance la restauration de la basilique, des fortifications et des portes de la ville. En reconnaissance, il est nommé patron de la cité, et est honoré par l'édification d'au moins dix statues à son effigie.
Marcus Nonius Balbus was a Roman senator from the 1st century BC and patron saint of the town of Herculaneum.
Originally from Nuceria, he settled in Herculaneum.
As a benefactor of the city of Herculaneum, he financed the restoration of the basilica, the fortifications and the city gates. In recognition of this, he was named patron saint of the city, and at least ten statues bearing his likeness were erected in his honour.
actually, this is a mockup of XCOR's Lynx spacecraft. (I'm on the board.) trucked out to Broomfield for the edification of the #NSRC2013 attendees.
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Gateway Camp Verse
(Pin1) Ging1 Mahn4
Isaiah 62:10
What Dale instructed about going out of our way to treat the Mainland Chinese well resonated within me. To be sure, just as the Koreans have gone out of their way to bless me so I must step out to bless and to love my Mainland brethren.
After the first meeting, Ed and I wandered off campus and found inside a shopping mall a cha chaan teng where we had a late-night snack. And hardly had we tucked into our meals when in walked several dozen volunteers, all locals, who were overcome, it seemed, by the same munchies that infected Ed and me. It’s surprising how such a primal urge, at such a time, drives everyone to no less than the same, impossibly far location.
I thus far have met so many people that, had I not brought along my iPod, I would have already lost track of the multitudinous names flying around like fireflies at night, sparkling luminously one moment and then disappearing the next. And this is only the beginning: more and more people will arrive both today and tomorrow so I had better stay awake, alert, and writing.
I am working with a partner who really challenges me, and indeed that is why I chose to work with him. From the first words that came streaming out of his mouth, I knew he would be a special one, and as if to conifrm my conjecture, indeed, the more he spoke, the more confused I became. The challenge, I have realized after much ruminating, isn’t so much the pace of his speech as his choice of words, which fall outside a normal lexical range; that is, at least with me, when he talks, he doesn’t use familiar collocations to communicate; besides, he has an uncanny Tin Shui Wai accent; those, along with his amazing resistance to Chinglish, which impresses me, by the way, have made our communication tedious, since I am bombarded by peculiar lexical constructions that I generally never encounter in Cantonese conversation and must therefore stop our flow to clarify his speech. It’s too bad that he doesn’t speak English as I would love to hear how he structures ideas in my native language to determine whether or not this strange lexis has spilled over into his other modes of communication.
Regardless, in being with him, I have learned to be patient, and if I am truly to walk away from resentment, I must continue rather to engage him than to keep him at arm’s length. It helps us, then, that he is a congenial fellow, prone more to expressing love, much in the same way that I do by warmly grabbing a forearm or a shoulder, than to venting his frustration, which with me could certainly be great. He is verily a good guy, and so long as the Lord keeps him — I am sure Daddy will — Tin Shui Wai, that small patch of concrete moon colony, is in capable, faithful human hands.
Sau2 muhn6 je2
Mihng6 dihng6
Kyuhn4 lihk6
Lihk6 leuhng6
Chong3 yi3 adjective
Chong3 jouh6 verb
Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
I cried this morning when I read these words, because they are true, and comfort my soul as water to a dry, parched land. However many times I’ve lamented this place and its people, I am still inextricably tied to this rock, per God’s will for my life; and God really is faithful in providing a way out not from this place but from these spiritual hindrances. These past few days, what with communication failures and fatigue setting in, I could have more easily give into my rationality, in defense of my weaknesses, than resisted this bait of satan. Thank God, hence, for the words which are like fuel for the refiner’s fire that burns up all my expectations, my pride and my flesh. I can survive, nay, rejoice, indeed, because of God, who, in me, day by day teaches me to suffer long with a smile.
This is what the gateway is all about, I believe: jumping head-first out of my comfort zone to confront the nations, for my brothers and sisters and I must face each other if we are to raise the banners together. Battling through enemy strongholds of mistrust ad resentment, we demolish carnal thoughts and dig deep in the Spirit for the unity that shall overcome as much language as culture; God, after all, is bigger, even, than the battlefield. In these ways can my brethren and I love each other as ourselves, as we shall be one in the Father, with audacious power and boldness laying hands on His kingdom which advances, in this kairos moment, over all of China, including, no doubt, Hong Kong. No longer will there be curses thrown upon the nations; but rather the river of life will flow through the city, and the leaves of the tree on each side of the river will be for the healing of the nations.
1) Welcoming the Father
2) Unifying the body
3) Partnering with the Chinese
4) Serving the city
5) Supporting the Chinese
Isaac and I have worked quite hard this morning, putting up signs all over campus, and as if to reward me for my assiduity, he offered to buy me a drink, an offer which I took up. Indeed, this man’s care and concern for others, genuine, doubtlessly, fills me with joy, for, to be sure, the joy of the lord is his strength. My friend is indefatigable, always encouraging and never slighting, no matter the circumstances, rain (that has happened a lot today) or shine. Praise God!
Much like my relationship with Isaac, my relationships with my other team members have improved considerably since, even, this morning’s briefing during which, the code-switching, happening too fast and too furiously for my comfort, vexed me so terribly that if Isaac had not put a generous arm around my shoulder immediately afterwards, I surely would have blown my top in frustration at the perplexing language option. Thankfully, my team and I settled our language arrangements: Isaac, Dorcas and I will intractably speak Cantonese to each other whereas my other group mates and I will use English with as little code-switching as possible; and I, along with Ed, no doubt, am satisfied. It’s best to avoid misunderstandings.
Lihng4 Mahn4 (soul)
Sihng4 jeung2
Muhng6 Seung2 (dreams)
The Lord’s mercies are new everyday. Just now, during the morning rally, by His Spirit, hundreds of brothers and sisters received a new anointing, to be spiritual mothers and fathers of a new generation so as to minister to the next. This outpouring of the Spirit was sudden, and so captivated me that when the call came to reap, I rushed to the front to ask my father for this anointing, and naturally, my life was transformed. In the same way, the pastor called up a new generation of spiritual children to receive the love, care and support of these new parents; and likewise, so many young men and women heeded this call that verily, the pit in front of the stage was soon awash in hugs and tears between generations that, once lost, were now found. Indeed, no sooner did these people embrace their father than Dad immediately swept them up in his strong arms and showered them with audacious encouragement and support. Praise God!
An Outburst
I was angry this morning during our team time. I temporarily lost my ability to be merciful and to live in God’s grace. When my team leader began to address me in English, yet again, I couldn’t help but berate him for doing so when Cantonese, I argued, would be a more economical medium of delivery. And then I compounded this already incendiary situation by ranting about the hypocrisy of Hong Kong being a gateway to China but not a gateway into its own neighborhoods teeming with Chinese people, 97% of whom, according to one of the pastors at this camp, do not know the Lord Jesus. Cantonese will matter, I posit, if anyone dares to take on the onerous mission in this vexing place.
To be sure, even my brother announced that language was a prohibitive barrier to closer relationships with these local people, and therefore, since he neither speaks Cantonese nor is going to give learning the language a go, he is relegated to the outer walls of the gates into Hong Kong.
In hindsight, I thought I cared enough about God’s purposes for me in Hong Kong, but I realize now that I still care a lot about myself, and resentment. Though I have prayed and declared boldly that God is bigger than language and culture, I know I don’t believe it; and that’s upsetting. For the time being, I don’t verily believe in my heart that I can have deeper, closer relationships with Chinese people without the benefit of language and culture, patterns of action.
OK. This is actually an opportune start for my spiritual parentship, for now I have an opportunity to put aside my very compelling arguments for the necessity of language and culture in deep and close relationships, these conclusions born out of my reason, and to step out in faith, to trust in the Lord who, I pray, will show me deep and close relationships sans language and culture, and with whom my deep and close relationship shall obviously be the key to this victory.
I’m thinking about events at this camp that heretofore demonstrated loving relationships without language and culture, and I recalled two acts: the first happened yesterday when I spontaneously joined a line of ushers to high-five and to cheer the audience as they flooded out of the auditorium, the morning rally having scarcely finished; and the second, this was my meeting Yao, a man from the Ivory Coast, whom I befriended in those first, fleeting, if not frantic moments before the opening rally on Friday evening. That encounter was immediate and sudden, neither words nor habits needed; Yao and I simply high-fived, hugged and sat beside each other; and wow, that was terrific companionship — praise God!
Finally, however hard my diatribe may have struck my team members’ hearts, my merciful group mates still forgave me, not only on an personal level, but also, as I had sought forgiveness on behalf of all foreigners who have ever cursed locals or stood passively outside the gateway, on a corporate level, thereby releasing countless non-Chinese people into the freedom of these Hong Kong people’s forgiveness; just as brothers and sisters had so recently been reconciled to each other in my church, so local and non-local people have received the others’ freedom of forgiveness; more than a homecoming, that, indeed, is a breakthrough.
In listening to this morning’s sermon, I hear such verses as I know God is speaking to me through His word. 2Corinthians 4:16-18, this scripture in particular carries a buoyant, hopeful currency in my heart. My spirit soaks in this divine revelation as a sponge soaks in water and thus becomes malleable, able to be formed and shaped according to its holder’s will: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Disagreeable
I don’t know why my brother and I undermine each others’ comments; why we no more know consensus than the deaf music. Our interactions have been especially abrasive recently since we have spent so much time together without the benefit of our other brother to act as a natural, vociferous buffer; and as a result we argue like pieces of sand paper being rubbed against flesh, which inevitably leads to significant soreness. I feel sore now.
I think back to my outburst this morning and can appreciate my role in this evening’s embarrassing outcome; I am certainly not without fault, for I choose these days not only to venture my opinions but to do so passionately, if not emotionally. People consequently who otherwise are phlegmatic at best are put in a discomfiting position by my impassioned pleas. Besides, I recall Interrupting my brother prolifically, which understandably would not make him a happy camper; just as a hyperactive child doesn’t know when to stop pestering his sibling, so I don’t know nowadays when to hold my tongue. Indeed, I would rather not respond at all to my brother, even after he has fired off his rejoinder, than to strike him down in mid-speech.
In view of this latest incident, I have resolved to take the former course of action. To be sure, I simply stopped our petty dispute about a stupid basketball game by, awkward as it was, taking out my book and perusing it as fixedly as my tattered mind would allow. I will try my best to stay away from my brother for a spell, to create physical and spiritual space between us, so hopefully, in this way at least one of us will be able to come to his senses about this matter; better yet, now would be an opportune time for our father in his mercy to reveal to us the fault lines in our flesh so that we could surrender these tremulous spots in our soul, crucifying them to the father for our healing and the redemption of our relationship. I will pray about this.
…Praise God. If I had not separated myself from my brother’s presence, I wouldn’t have been sitting at that bench at the exact moment when Isaac came over to me in a plaintive mood. Obviously upset, he had been so recently wronged, he lamented on the verge of tears. And at that, mercy swept over my countenance, for my brother felt as aggrieved as I did earlier; and this appointment, per God’s unfailing, obstinate love, had at last come for me, convicting me to be very, very agreeable, sympathetic and kind to my fellow long-suffering brother. In this instance, thank God, language did not matter so much as empathy, carrying each others’ burdens and thus fulfilling the rule of Christ. We prayed and blessed each other in Jesus’ name, and then boldly went forward into the rally.
I suspect the enemy has infiltrated our team what with my outbursts and Isaac’s failing out as evidence. My group mates and I must be more vigilant in prayer and in digging deep into the Father’s word if we are to overcome the spies in our camp that have planted incendiary devices in our mouths and in our hearts. We certainly need such encouragement as the Lord provides for the edification and encouragement of each other, even more so, in fact, in the face of adversity, despite our fatigue and other physical ills that befall us like a hail of arrows. In faith, I’m sure, faith will see us through; and per what the pastors exhorted at the rally, we will become as if the smooth stone in David’s sling, ready to fly into the air to crush the Goliath in this world.
Sihng4 jauh6 achievement
Ngwuih misunderstanding
Nggaai2 to misunderstand
Yuhn4 leuhng6 forgive
Gaan2syun2 chosen
The Security Guard
At the morning rally, a security guard left an indelible impression on my heart what with her showing of unconditional support and her proffering of words of encouragement, which like a waterfall fell in force and power over my friends and me. To my amazement, I first saw her out of the corner of my eye stepping out of her role as a security guard to pray as a spiritual parent to two spiritual children during the morning rally’s prayer time; there she was, clad in her blue uniform, laying hands on those weeping kids; finally, I had witnessed someone courageous enough to step out of that rule of law, her boundary in Hong Kong, to be bound to that which is ethereal, the rule of Christ to carry each others’ burdens. Later, as the audience passed through the exit, I had time to confirm her love for the Lord and at that, we broke into a torrent of encouragement and followed this with a flurry of picture-taking. Indeed, never have I stumbled upon such good will from a dragon security guard in HK so I am hopeful, therefore, that this is but the the start of a greater movement within that particular demon-worshipping core, that at this time, God is opening up the heavenly armory and placing his prayer warriors inside that particular stronghold in Hong Kong to demolish every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and placing in its stead a profusion of love, gentleness and kindness. I look forward to the day when wisdom, and not languid stares, shall emanate from all the people who man the facilities in these universities.
Reconciliation
This is special. No sooner had Isaac and I stepped into the auditorium than we heard the plaintive cry of the mainland Chinese on the stage forgiving the Hong Kong people for their trespasses against their brethren from the north. A flurry of hugs, replete with a few tears, ensued. That was, as Dale announced from the stage, a delicious moment. Jesus must have been breaking out the good champagne in heaven for a rousing celebration in view of this victory.
Sex Talk – Part One
The kids finally received the sex talk this morning; a fiery pastor delivered the message which was as much shocking as informative; and gasps and wincing abounded in the audience.
While I have recently heard the sex talk at the men’s retreat, and have furthermore by God’s grace been inoculated against this particular area of struggle, it was nonetheless refreshing to hear the news, as shocking and as sensational as it was. I am willing, in addition, to believe that some of the atrocious acts that the pastor referenced, such as gruesome abortions and bizarre sexual acts, are more prevalent than my reason will believe, because my scope is limited by experience, but as the Father witnesses everything, if the Spirit has convicted this man and has told him that the world is heading closer and closer into the mouth of Jezebel in this way, I accept this. In fact, believing this is important if I am to be a good spiritual parent who will not only protect but educate the new generation from the prowling enemy that lurks these days, even, in our computers.
Prayer
The Holy Spirit fell over me this morning during my group’s team time. He convicted me to pray in Cantonese for the first time, and so I did without fear, those Chinese words pouring out of me as if perfume from an alabaster jar. Praise God: he is good; and this was the moment I have been waiting for.
I think about what happened, and am amazed at the Father’s favor; despite my critiques against this culture, and in spite of my recent lamentations, the Lord, ever faithfully, provided a way out under which I could stand and by which I could be protected from the bait of Satan. Little did I know that the escape route would, in fact, ironically, direct me to the very thing that heretofore has stood as an obstruction, a spiritual roadblock, in my mind.
A missionary on the stage just spoke into my life when she said about her experience learning Putonghua in China: the difficult part was not learning the language but learning to love those people as Jesus loves them. This will always be my mission, no matter where I am.
Keuhng4 jong3
Lai1 hei2 (pull up)
In the afternoon, my team had a reconciliation meeting during which, in small groups, each team member at last was given an opportunity to share alternately their joys and struggles. At that time, though having staved off an open rebuke for several days, I could no longer hold back this challenge to my small group: to step out in faith to be a gateway to the nations; and second, per the morning’s message, to on their guard against the sexually explicit, insidious media. I laid out my argument with much cogency, and such a response as I saw fit knocked my group mates into a stupor, because they certainly didn’t have much to say afterwards.
Oscillate between…and…
Vacillate…
Equivocated
Prevaricate
Sex Talk – Part Two
1) Jesus came to show us the Father; John1:18
2) Grace First, Truth Second; John 1:24:25; 16-18
Pahn4 mohng6 (hope)
Do you believe that Jesus can heal you? Then lay hands.
Dale and I are men who have shared similar struggles. His testimony is riveting.
Suddenly, I realized that this rally is, in fact, a continuation of yesterday morning’s sex talk, because we ended the previous rally praying more against the shame of abortion than against personal sexual immorality. Notionally, what is being discussed will enable people to really experience the love of the Father such that to change permanently our behavior. So when we are tempted:
1) Call for help; Romans 10:13
2) Escape Plan; 1Corinthians 10:13
Remember not to stand and rebuke the enemy with your own strength; move physically from the situation.
3) Run Away; 2Timothy 2:22
4) Into the Father’s Arms; Hebrews 4:14
I like this talk. This might be the first time that these young people get straight sex talk from their leaders; and there is no better time than now for these young people to break through in this particular area of struggle, just as the young men of SP broke through these obstinate barriers during our men’s retreat.
5) Confess and be Healed; James 5:16
I hope these young people find faithful accountability brothers and sisters in this service.
6) Walk in Transparent Accountable Relationships; 1John 1:7
7) Resist the Enemy; James 4:7
For the first churchly visit of that November 2023 trip to the southern French provinces of Roussillon and Languedoc, I will treat you to a truly unique place, the so-called “priory” of Serrabone, which features an absolute world-class masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture: its tribune.
I said “so-called” above because a priory, in the genuine acception of the word, is a secondary monastery established by an abbey. It is populated by monks sent by that abbey. Those monks are led by a prior, whose superior is the abbot of the founding abbey. In the case of Serrabone, there first was a late Carolingian parochial church established in this mountainous locale and first mentioned in writing in 1069. The walls of the nave are, for some part, still those of that ancient church.
It was then, at a time when local lords used to meddle more and more in the affairs of the Church (which was one of the reasons that prompted the coming of the Gregorian reform), that the viscount of Cerdagne and the local lord of Corsavy installed on the Serrabone mountaintop an unusually mixed group of canons and canonesses to live in accordance with the Augustinian Rule.
A new college church was built (mostly by enlarging the previous one) and consecrated in 1151. Its architecture is harmonious but very simple, as one would expect: in the Middle Ages, those mountains were populated (hence the creation of the parish) and did feed their inhabitants (serra bona in Catalan means “good mountain”), but there was precious little commerce with the outside world and the locals had nothing of real value to export. Therefore, the local economy was pretty much a closed circuit and money was far from flowing in abundantly. The style of the church, even though there were donations from the aforementioned lords, reflects this paucity of financial resources.
It is therefore a total mystery how the magnificent sculpted tribune, which would have cost a veritable fortune, was funded, and by whom. Nothing has ever been demonstrated in that matter, although many have conjectured in various directions. The only certainty we have is that it was built around the time when the church itself was completed, i.e., the mid–1150s.
The culmination of the “priory” did not last very long: canons and canonesses are not monks and nuns, their commitment is found throughout history and places to be much less strong, and by the late 1200s they had already broken communal life and begun to live in their own separate homes. Decadence went to such extremes that the “priory” was secularized by the pope in the 16th century and made a dependency of the chapter of the cathedral of Solsona. The last “prior” died in 1612 and the church returned to its simple parochial status.
The place was progressively abandoned as people left the mountains to go live easier lives in the valleys. It was almost in ruins when it was listed as a Historic Landmark in 1875 and the restoration began. Fortunately, the tribune had been protected and its capitals and columns hidden by the locals.
The length of the nave, shown towards the West from the transept. Notice again the pointy vaulting going all the way to the western gable.
The element in the center is the famous tribune, built for the canons and canonesses in accordance with the Spanish tradition of the coro alto (“high choir”). We will explore it in full detail tomorrow and over the following days.
Notice that the tribune shows a completely blank face from this side. All the world-famous sculpture was therefore only for the edification of the hoi polloi (well, maybe not so polloi as that, granted) that stood beyond during Mass.
Sporting Chance Center, Tucson, AZ Jan 19, 2014 — Club Cactus #12 goes up for the spike against #22 and #34 of Dessert Stars Volleyball Club.
PENTAX K-5
smc PENTAX-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM, @ 75mm
ISO 1600, ƒ3.5, 1/250