Yesterday I showed you a tiny piece of the Church's interior - today it's time to fill in the blanks a bit.
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(Click to enlarge all photos except this first one - I have no idea why this one alone is not clickable)
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.These lamps (at least I think they're lamps) hang over the stone you see in the previous photo.
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.I love all these small hanging lamps in the Orthodox section of the Church. I don't know if they have a particular religious significance (if you know please tell me, I'm curious) but they're certainly graceful to look at, especially when they're hung in large groups like these.
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No matter what your personal belief system, Jerusalem is sure to delight. Wherever you go there is something wonderful just waiting to be discovered around the next corner. Come see for yourselves one day - and then tell me about your discoveries over a cup of coffee around the island.
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28 comments:
Wow, you know I love all churches. Those candles are amazing. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Happy RT.
These are so nice to see. Very pretty. Thanks so much for sharing :)
I think I may have wandered in there once when I was young and first in Jerusalem. So many details! I bet the gold paint and the blue paint were very expensive.
Just delightful. I love ancient temples and churches. Thank you so much, visiting for Ruby Tuesday and Greetings from Los Angeles.
This is what I found out when I googled "hanging lamps in Greek Orthodox Churches":
Hanging vigil lamps remind the faithful of the presence of God as Light and Warmth. Candelabra stand before the sanctuary reminiscent of the Cherubim before the throne of God. On the altar table is the book of Gospels, the revered word of God revealed to man.
I so want to come to Isreal some day...if I ever get there, will you be my tour guide?
The red oil holders give Rubi Tuesday a whole new light. I can smell the tamyan of the Orthodox Church. I keep a bottle of it at home - I carry it from Bulgaria. Light it on Christmas.
There are so many details here, and all of them so classical" The painted ceiling on the dome, the arches, the exquisitely detailed lanterns. This is a beautiful place of worship with stunning views!
Gorgeous colors, such great indoor pictures. I love the lanterns and the significance of them that the commenter above found.
How very beautiful!
I'd love to be standing there with you. Such beautiful images you've shared.
Beautiful church interiors.
Impressing paintings.
All that gold gives a special character.
Never seen that many oil and censers before.
Must be a huge church.
Oh, what about "Next year in Jerusalem"?
From Felisol
Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing:)
very interesting, I enjoyed the pictures as well as the comments left by others. Jerusalem is a fascinating place. I would love to come there.
Church interiors are so interesting and this one is particularly delightful! Thanks for sharing!!
gosh, i want to see this place. it looks so beautiful. thanks for sharing.
Apart from their symbolism, shared by a comment above, those oil lamps are probably a "tama". That is a "Thank you" for an answered prayer, the healing of a person, for example, or a rescue at sea.
Thank you so much for sharing. I love your posts.
How lovely Irene, thanks for explaining that. Thank you too Libby for your googling, and I'd love to be your tour guide someday.
Glad I found this blog. I was discussing this church this weekend and your pictures help put it into context nicely...
I would love to visit one day, it's so different to our churches.
By the way, hop over to my blog please, I have an award for you?
It is on my list for next year! Great Shot of the Red lanterns.
Robin, those photos are beautiful...the lamps are stunning and so many of them. Although I've been to Israel twice, I did not go into that Church. I cannot remember why! Looking at your photos I think it would have been an artistic treat. Happy Ruby Tuesday. :))
Lovely interior series beautifully photographed!
Hugs and blessings,
I love to visit houses of worship
such beautiful art and so much history and tradition
beautiful photos
How amazingly lovely .. and that you were allowed to take pix inside, very cool!!!
What a treat! I hope when I am retired I am able to come see the majesty of Israel. These are just wonderful and everyone should see this at least once in their lives!
Those lamps are awesome! What are those people doing bent over?
They're praying, and I believe some of them were kissing that stone. According to wikipedia, it's:
"the Stone of Anointing, also known as the The Stone of Unction, which tradition claims to be the spot where Jesus' body was prepared for burial by Joseph of Arimathea. However, this tradition is only attested since the crusader era, and the present stone was only added in the 1810 reconstruction."
Frankly the place looks a little creepy to me. Maybe it's the name that does it, or maybe it's all those glass whatever-they-ares hanging from the ceiling like something out of The Blair Witch Project. But the joint is seriously skeeving me out!
The little lamps are so pretty, there seem tgo be many different types and coloured lights must look wonderful when they are all lit up.
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