Start on a journey through Church history, spanning more than two thousand years. It all started in the 1st century with Jesus Christ’s teachings and the formation of early Christian groups. Moving into the 4th and 5th centuries, important gatherings, like Councils, shaped lasting ideas still important in Church history today. Around the world, Christianity spread, and in medieval Europe, the church became more crucial despite a split in 1054, creating two parts.
As we move through time, the Renaissance becomes an influential period. In the 16th century, leaders like Martin Luther and John Calvin made significant changes, leading to different Protestant groups. Fast-forward to the 20th century, marked by events and meetings trying to bring Christian groups together, and echoes of church history still impact our lives.
Follow the historical journey to discover how Church history shapes faith, culture, and life. Find connections from the past to the present, learning valuable lessons from Christianity. Reflecting on this history encourages acceptance of our differences, builds unity, and creates a better future for all Christian communities. Thus, keeping our mutual venture creates a strong bond of compassion, humility, and enduring love.
As we confront challenges today, let the wisdom of Church history guide us to better understanding, cooperation, and harmonious living in our global community. And, embrace the lessons of the past for a brighter future. As we travel together through our shared history, let’s work towards a future where everyone in the entire Christian community feels welcomed and cared for. By appreciating our past, we can build bridges of unity and kindness, fostering a more compassionate world for all.
The remarkable story of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, revealing the hidden sarcophagus of St. Mark the Evangelist beneath an altar. The basilica, erected in the 9th century, and holds the remains brought from Alexandria by Venetian merchants.
St. Anselm, born around 1033 A.D. in northern Italy, later part of the Kingdom of Burgundy, journeyed to Normandy in 1059. Influenced by Lafranc of Pavia, Anselm became the Abbot of Bec in 1078 and transformed it into a center of learning. A skilled administrator, he later succeeded Lafranc as the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093. Anselm’s contributions extended to philosophy and theology, making him a notable figure in medieval history.
The Fabric chosen for the Dossal is the lovely and rich Litchfield Brocade with Red/Gold Fairford orphrey bands edged with Landsdowne Braid. These fabric and trim combinations create a stunning final result that has added beauty and color to the church.
Dürer and Cranach, two Northern Renaissance artists, are remembered on April 6th. Dürer, the son of a goldsmith, apprenticed as a painter and printmaker, gaining fame for his woodcuts and paintings. He created portraits of notable figures like Erasmus and read Luther’s writings. Cranach, the Elder, had less known formal art training but became the court painter of Wittenberg by 1505. He used various mediums, witnessed Luther’s marriage, and engaged in business ventures, producing works with both Protestant and Roman Catholic themes.
Born as Aurelius Ambrosius in 334 A.D., the man we know as St. Ambrose grew up in Gaul where his father held a high post as prefecture. It is said that a swarm of bees visited the infant Ambrose, landing upon his eyes and lips. This tradition claims to be the source of Ambrose’s ability later in life to speak in honeyed, caring words. So, the beehive has become the symbol most frequently associated with St. Ambrose because it is a symbol of eloquence. The symbol for St. Ambrose relate to the ex-communication of Emperor Theodosius for his massacre of the people of Thessalonica.
Each renowned saint has his or her own symbol in ecclesiastical sewing. A church that is named after a blessed saint can place that saint’s symbol on a piece of ecclesiastical vestment. All Saints Day, is the celebration of all of the Christian saints. During the mass persecutions, saints were martyred and there was no way to keep track of them all and mark each day as their own saint’s day. And so All Saints Day is the day we remember them. We decorate our churches in white, which reminds the feasting eyes of the congregation of the triumph of the saints, washed of their sins and made as white as snow by the all-availing sacrifice of Christ Our Saviour.
In the thirteenth century, the papal tiara evolved with a cone shape, growing taller. The peak had an egg shape, and the bottom was adorned with a headband. Styles included vertical or crisscross bands of gold, while the cap remained white linen or cloth of gold. Gems and pearls adorned the tiara. St. Gregory is depicted wearing a thirteenth-century tiara with a vertical band, while Pope Clement IV’s tiara had crisscross bands. Clement, presenting the crown of the Two Sicilies, wore a gold tiara adorned with jewels and fleurons.
The Cleveland Museum owns four pieces of liturgical vessels from circa 500-700 A.D. This set was discovered in Northern Syria, where early Christians would have buried their precious goods from the invading Persians or Arabs. There are three chalices and one paten in this set. These are all silver; and the chalices are decorated with Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Christ, and the Blessed Virgin. The collection was given to a priest named Zeno by Kyriakos son of Domnos.
Beautiful ecclesiastical vestments, church art, and church architecture are not reserved for world-renowned cathedrals. Beauty is often found in places where worship still takes place on a healthy and active basis. This is because precious treasures can be found still in their original use instead of cased up–as if entombed–for tourists to view for thirty seconds before moving past.
The Rotonda of Saint Lorenzo, which was dedicated to St. Lorenzo. – The building of this church was started in 1083 A.D. and finished around 1115 A.D.
Altare Dei–The Altar of God Altare Dei–The Altar of God: Upon entering the sanctuary of a Christian Church, those coming to worship immediately have their gaze directed toward a particular… Read more Altare Dei–The Altar of God →
Ecclesiastical Sewing would like to officially welcome Ashley Zerwas to our team. Ashley is Carrie’s only daughter and she has taken a full-time job working for the family business after recently graduating college. When the Ecclesiastical Sewing storefront opens, Ashley will be helping to run the business behind the scenes. Ashley will manage social media, as well as assist with product development and sourcing. Ashley will also take on the role of Editor in Chief for Ecclesiastical Sewing.
Visiting a grand Cathedral – The Cathedral of St. Helena in Helena Montana a stunning example of the masterful use of church design.
The capital of Montana is Helena. The cathedral’s entrance features impressive stone carvings, and the interior is grand with rich burgundy tones, metallic gold paint, and brass fixtures. The stained glass windows, numbering over 75, exhibit meticulous detail, resembling painted scenes with fine facial features, expressive eyes, and a heavenly gaze.
The altar in the Mary Chapel allows a closer view of the altar linen. The edge of the linen is cut so that it hangs over the front of the altar by a few inches. This linen edge is embroidered using the colors of white and gold. There is so much white inside this Basilica. The gold provides a much-needed contrast so the altar linen is not lost among all of the other whites of the chapel. The design motifs of the altar linen feature a cross worked in gold embroidery thread, and a wheat and grape motif worked in white embroidery thread. The edge of the altar linen is scalloped with a scalloped or shell satin stitch, making a perfect complement to this lovely Basilica
You must be logged in to post a comment.