Friday, April 03, 2015

And they crucified him




   



Image:  The earliest crucifixion in an illuminated manuscript, from the Syriac Rabbula Gospels, 586 AD.

Music:  J S Bach ‘O sacred head, sore wounded’ from the St Matthew Passion, 1727.


22 comments:

  1. Lovely to see such an early piece of religious art! How lucky we are that it survived down through the ages. Have a Happy Easter!

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    1. 'm always amazed that such fragile items have managed to survive so long, Debra, and I find it a very moving representation. Easter greetings to you too..

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  2. I was listening to this earlier...Bach cantata Ich will den Kreuzstab geme tragen

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgk6qUeZW2c (part one)

    While not traditionally used in this season it has always seemed to me to offer hope.

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    1. Thanks for the link, Helen. Not a piece I know and I shall enjoy listening to it during the three hours this afternoon.

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  3. Have a happy and blessed Easter, Perpetua.

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  4. Hari OM
    All blessings and peace at this time of solemn celebration to you and yours. YAM xx

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    1. Thanks, Yam, and the same to you. Have just finished my own 3 hours reflection, being far from any organised by others.

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  5. A beautiful, reflective, musical beginning to my Good Friday. Thank you for this, Perpetua.

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    1. I'm glad it spoke to you, Penny. Here in the far north, I'm creating my own Good Friday observance and hope yours is fulfilling.

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  6. Hello Perpetua,

    Through these images and sounds one is truly transported. Pain, joy and hope are combined in the spirit of Easter and how beautifully you remind us of this.

    Wishing you and your family all joy at Eastertide!

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    1. Hello Jane and Lance and thank you.

      I'm glad this Good Friday image and music spoke to you and I wish you both all the joy of Easter.

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  7. hAPPY eASTER.... argh...
    Caps Lock strikes again!!

    Happy Easter and may the climate up there be kind!

    A wonderful bit of Illustration and interesting how much of the immediate story has been captured in one picture.
    Tim

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    1. Oo, a new nom de plume.;) Caps Lock besets my typing far too often.

      A Happy Easter to you too. I'm glad to say the sun is shining in a cloudless sky at the moment, but I'm not holding my breath that it will last.

      I loved the illustration as soon as I saw it. You're right. There's as much there as would be found in a mediaeval or Rennaissance masterpiece many centuries later - even the soldiers playing dice for the cloak.

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  8. Thanks for sharing this. The image and the music are beautiful. He has indeed done all of this for us. Have a blessed Easter.

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    1. I'm glad you liked them, Sally. Sometimes images and music can say far more than words alone of the mystery that is Good Friday and Easter.

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  9. I have never seen this early Crucifixion image, Perpetua, and what a wonder it is. So vivid, so full of emotion and with all the elements of the biblical account. Thank you so much for sharing it with us all. Easter Blessings.

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    1. Neither had I, Patricia. I found it in a Wikipedia article on the crucifixion in art and like you was struck by the wonderful detail and the depth of emotion in such an early work. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.

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  10. This is an amazing piece of art. It really is quite moving to see a representation of Christ's crucifixion that dates back like this one. I wanted you to know that although I didn't stop to respond until now, Sunday, I had actually looked (Friday) on another device to see what you had chosen for Good Friday. I have enjoyed the art or music you've shared in the past, and I knew you would and I was eager to see your choice. I hope that it was a lovely Easter, and that not having quite as many parish responsibilities allowed you a different level of contemplation. Sometimes it's nice to have less responsibility but you may miss the duties. Thank you for your beautiful Easter images and message. It is much appreciated.

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    1. My feelings exactly, Debra. To find something so old and so beautifully preserved which illustrates the crucifixion as well as this is marvellous. I really enjoy trying to find something different each year for Good Friday and Easter Day and have very much enjoyed discovering new and telling images. I'm glad you appreciate them so much.
      I had a wonderful Easter Day, thanks, and attended two different but equally joyful services, one in the morning at the local Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) and one in the evening at a Scottish Episcopal congregation some distance along the coast. It's now several years since I retired and Easter is much lerss tiring. I do help out when I'm at home, but as a volunteer. :)

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I welcome your comments and will always try to respond to them. Thank you for reading.