Monday, July 13, 2009

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre - side view

Click to enlarge
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I could have sworn I'd posted this image months ago. It was sitting in my file ready to go, and the only reason I can think of that it hadn't actually been published is that I couldn't make up my mind whether I liked it better for Ruby Tuesday or Window Views, so it languished while I tried to decide and ended up forgotten. It did have some stiff competition there against my other window shots so it probably got postponed a few weeks in a row and then eventually set aside as my muse moved on.
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So in the spirit of better late than never, you're getting it now. Hope you enjoy, and while you're looking notice the way the different sections of the facade seem almost to compete with each other, graphically illustrating the ongoing conflict between the different sects of Christianity over who controls which parts of the Church. They can't agree on opening hours, let alone renovations, and as you can see from the walls the problem is not exactly a new one.
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41 comments:

Mojo said...

Yeah, those Christians... always bickering among themselves...

Considering the age of the place, it looks in remarkably good shape though. Apparently even though it's an old problem, it hasn't been a problem always.

Hey, a little paint, a new rug, a few throw pillows...

I'll just step over here so the lightning only hits me now.

Kate Coveny Hood said...

Love this image (and the symbolism).

cornel said...

beautiful picture of the old rocky walls
lovely, wish to be there !

Anonymous said...

It is just beautiful for which ever one you want to post it to :) Glad you did :)

Leora said...

I think it would have been perfect for Window Views (a bit of a tease here).

Such stunning architecture. Lots of great detail. Whatever their motivation, I'm glad they supported the fabulous artisans who originally put all this together.

moosh said...

What a treat to see such an interesting church. Each time I visit your site I feel as if I have seen a part of a beautiful old, new to me world.

Anonymous said...

Is the grass there on purpose or it just grows there by itself? Very rich view - lots of forms battling for attention. The mini-dome steals the show - at least in my eyes :)The background on your blog matches perfectly the color of the ancient rocks - compliments the idea the architects had long time ago!

kayerj said...

What a great shot of such an historical place. I love the red window panes.

marcia@joyismygoal said...

thank you so much for sharing that it is so beautiful wonderful and sad

Sara Chapman said...

I was there once years ago and I don't even remember that there WERE windows! But I surely do remember the warring factions thing. Lovely shot.

bichonpawz said...

Beautiful old buildings like this one are just fascinating...you have captured this beautifully!

Carletta said...

I hope everyone enlarges this. There is so much detail to see. The stonework around the window has such detail.
Lovely shot Robin!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

This has been an ongoing problem in our world it seems. Beautiful church though, absolutely beautiful.

DrillerAA09 said...

One thing the bickering has done is provide you with a photo that is filled with character. Very nice Ruby Tuesday capture. Well done.

MaR said...

It's a fantastic shot! I enlarged the picture and it's such a delight to watch all the details.
Happy RT!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Pity that Church of this grandeur is in bad condition due to quarrels between relegious groups.

Saw your blog and i'm very impressed!!

nonizamboni said...

I'm a big fan of window (& winding road) photos and this one has such a story to tell. Keen eye of yours to notice the red and the turmoil it represents.
Happy Ruby Tuesday!

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Through the red windows
peer closely and you may glimpse
an eternal light.

My Ruby Tuesday

Mary Bergfeld said...

Robin, I enlarged the photo to catch a glimpse of the detail. This is a wonderful picture.

Daryl said...

Fabulous shot ..

Robin, did you know that Marie's (of http://www.cpaphilblog.com/ ) parents live in NH? And she is flying there to visit them?!

judi/Gmj said...

Love this one! reflections and all!

PS. come back to my site and enlarge the rt. shot. Look in the center...to see the co-joined berries.

(Ya always got to enlarge to get the details at my little spots of the world.) I'm lazy and don't tell ya that every time. :D

Felisol said...

I find the picture fascinating.
The details are nice, even if they are competing with each other.
Belonging to Christianity I feel at home in churches all over the world.
I fully agree that quarreling about faith is a hideous thing.

I guess most of the terrible things made by Christians throughout the years are rooted in lust for power and not in holy intentions.
God is love.
Nevertheless I hope to visit Israel someday.
The Churches may be built for wrong purposes and in wrong places.
I would like to visit them too for sake of the history, and for sake of the good which hopefully still is hidden under all this worldly mess.
Tw of my uncles and two of my cousins were there and came uplifted home.
Bringing a Shalom napkin holder and a car mezuza for my dad.
It was not until my dad was dead and I visited your site I found the the mezuza was a blessing. "For He has given his angles charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." is its scripture.

My roots and my longings also have a place in Israel, but I don't think Christians should have any worldly power there.

From Felisol

maryt/theteach said...

Oh dear, such a problem to be added to all your other lifeproblems, Robin - post for Ruby Tuesday or Window Views - what to do, what to do! :) I'm glad you posted it for RT. It's a perfect post!

maryt/theteach said...

And it just dawned on me, Robin, about Summer Stock Sunday... I didn't post for it! I was suffering with terrible abcess pain in a tooth which was extracted yesterday. I feel a little better today. But I'm sorry I let Summer Stock Sunday go (not purposely). That won't happen again.

Maya@A Beach Lovers Place said...

Great church... I love old architectural buildings.

Liza said...

Beautiful image! Thanks for sharing. :)

claudie said...

Such history.
Hey I have the same mixer as you, same color! All I make are muffins... I'm such a terrible cook!
Happy RT
Love Claudie from Canada
xo

Jill said...

I always loved walking by there - and was so thrilled that a girlfriend took me through there just before I left. She explained different things to me - and the religious meanings behind them.

I can never get enough of the Old City.

Robin said...

Mary, you've had much more important things to worry about this week with that tooth of yours. Don't give blogging another thought. You just rest up and take care of you. ((hug))

Jill, it is such a shame we didn't "meet" until after you'd already left Israel. We could have had such fun.

claudie said...

You went to my first RT, I have a second one for today with the fur babies.
Just in case you wanted to see it lol
xo

Dianne said...

it's beautiful Robin

srp said...

It is just lovely... no matter what you post it for. Wonderful curves and color. My rubies flew in here.

Ralph said...

The red on the windows works for RT. A nice building that is misplaced, without a doubt. it is a shame that people invoke the one and true God for their selfish aims...

amanda said...

So after I finished my "Oh Wows" Robin I went back a second time and enlarged this to look at all the great details in this hsot. The red wondows are neat but this has much more to it than just that. The stone work and marble are awesome and the dome is fantastic.

Ms. Latina said...

I agree with moosh's comment! Everytime I come here I see something amazing. You open my world - thank you for that!

I never knew that christians would fight so heavily over the architecture of the churches. Sad really, since thats not the point.

I did notice the gates on the upper left hand window (why?) and how the larger window also captured another doorway with the same style arch leading into the church inside. Beautifully shot! As always you catch the small details than open my eyes by directing me to them =)

Happy WW!

Patti said...

This is a beautiful church. I like the details in the architecture.

too bad those sects must squabble!

Laughing at Mojo's comment about decorating the place to spruce things up. ;-)

Happy belated Ruby Tuesday!

Colette S said...

Quite interesting.

Did I tell you how much I adore your header photo? I've been here before but not sure if I said it. You just want to sit and look at it alot.

Is this your kitchen?

Happily Retired Gal said...

Wonderful window ... intriguing Ruby red too! Thanks for dropping by mine at Happily Retired Gal. I'm playing catch-up today ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Libby's Library said...

This is a great photo - this is something that would be on my "must see" list.

Mamí♥Picture said...

OMGodness!
I enlarge the pictures to get a better look and I was mesmerize by the beauty!

Mamí♥Picture said...

☼¨`*•.♥INDEED♥.•*¨`☼