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| ====== The Images of the Saints ====== | ====== ====== |
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| | ====== The Holy Qurbono ====== |
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| | ===== THE IMAGES OF THE SAINTS ===== |
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| | A distinctive expression of the **resurrection’s significance** in the **Eastern Churches** is seen in the **decoration of the church**. In the ancient Church, particularly in the old **Basilicas in Rome** and other places, it was customary to depict **Christ in glory** in the **apse at the East end of the church**, alongside the **Mother of God** and the **saints**. This arrangement ensured that the **people’s gaze** was always directed towards the **Risen Christ** and the **glory of the Resurrection**. |
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| | These representations were typically created in **paintings** or **mosaics**, with the purpose being to focus on the **Risen Christ and His Mystical Body**, rather than to individually honour the saints. Over time, as the **veneration of individual saints** grew in prominence within the **Eastern Church**, the saints began to be depicted on **painted icons**, which were highly revered. However, **sculpture in the round** was not traditionally used in the East. |
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| | This distinction marks a **difference in tradition** between the East and West, both of which have their rightful place within the Church and deserve preservation. |
| | === Note: === |
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| | The use of **statues as objects of devotion** was introduced into the **Western Church** during the **late Middle Ages**. In the context of the **liturgical movement** in the West, which seeks to restore the **liturgy** and the **environment of Christian worship** to their original forms, it has been proposed that there should be a **return to the use of paintings** for decorating the **sanctuary**, in keeping with the spirit of the liturgy. Meanwhile, **statues** as objects of veneration could be placed in **shrines** located in other parts of the church. |
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| | [[:holy_qurbono:standing_as_a_sign_of_the_resurrection|Previous]] | [[:holy_qurbono:the_church_building|Next]] |
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| Another indication of the significance of the resurrection in Eastern Churches is evident in the adornment of the church. In ancient times, as can still be witnessed in many old Basilicas in Rome and elsewhere, it was customary to depict Christ in glory in the apse at the eastern end of the church, alongside the Mother of God and the saints. This arrangement ensured that the congregation's gaze was always directed towards the Risen Christ and the splendor of the Resurrection. These depictions, whether in painting or mosaic, aimed to draw attention to the Risen Christ and his Mystical Body rather than to venerate individual saints. Later, as the veneration of individual saints grew in prominence in the Eastern Church, they were depicted on painted icons, which were highly esteemed, but not in three-dimensional sculptures. This illustrates another of the differences in tradition between the East and the West, both of which have their place in the Church and merit preservation. | |
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| ''Note: The use of statues as objects of veneration emerged in the Western Church during the late Middle Ages. Within the liturgical movement in the West, which seeks to restore both the liturgy itself and the arrangement of Christian worship to their original form, there have been suggestions to revert to using paintings for the decoration of the sanctuary, aligning with the liturgical spirit. Statues, then, could be kept in shrines in other parts of the church for veneration purposes.'' | |