The church of St. Mary was built in year 1130 and extended after a fire in year 1245.Building material is mostly soapstone from 4 different quarries. It's a basilica church with most interesting sideships.
I let this old crucifix be original.I doubt that sepia can enhance the glow in the old wood carving dated from the origin of the church .
This gentleman can vaguely be spotted under one arch of the left side-ship. Three hundred years before Michelangelo this was the way to paint the ceiling.
The ship is a protestant symbol,I think.Probably a Hansa ship bringing goods to Bergen.The ship symbolizes our journey through life and is often found in Norwegian churches.
Also the main church room, where the congregation is seated, is called the ship.
Almost hidden on the right hand-side of the entrance door another reminiscence from Catholic times. The place for the Holy Water.I doubt people even think about it, when entering the church.
Times, ceremonies and people change, but God is from eternity to eternity
Old baroque priest Petter Dass wrote in year 1698:
GOD is GOD,even if all land lay desolate,
GOD is GOD,even if all men were dead;
If People giddy, in LOrd's high heavens
Innumerable swarm GOD's crop.
![[sepiascene.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxkx40amfMsfpn_hxndGOGkb3XdJ6p6Mh3_hYtNeA2i9sEGCN1qt79QuvwS3TMq-UmNKIUBiP8qv-V8aK2zIcctq-ZvZiMS6eMP5fah0UbwfL8B1890F5Vd9PDmj_ozrFB16tJw/s1600/sepiascene.jpg)
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16 comments:
Wonderful post, Felisol. You are like a tour guide taking us through the church telling us interesting things such as the room where the congregation sits is the same for ship. I like that kind of information. ;-)
Such a beautiful old church building with an amazing history. And I love Sissel; such a beautiful voice. It was fun trying to read the Norwegian words as she sang.
Greetings to you my friend Felisol.
Love you,
Debbie
I, too, enjoy your tours .. especially ones through ancient places. You make it all very interesting. I'm ever so glad to have befriended you ... on the far side of the sea.
Hugs from the beautiful North Woods of Idaho, USA :)
It is only recently that I have come to appreciate photographs of ships. The one you posted here is so beautiful.
And yes, the Holy Water at the side entrance, or at the back. How well I remember days when I was younger. I would dip my hands in the holy water and make the sign of the cross before entering into God's presence. I love the symbolism of cleansing from the laver.
Your pictures are worth much, dear Felisol. Why don't you compile them in a book about Norway?
Of the many blogs I read, I have included yours in a select few that really give me sweet inspiration.
Have a great summer evening ahead of you.
Love
Lidj
The pictures show the wide variety of styles of God's houses. Only the details differ, as worshiping the Lord is the same in all. Beautiful stonework is merely testament to man's try to create beauty, but certainly not the magnificent heavenly beauty...
Loked walking through the old church with you full of history and stories and symbols. The ship is very unique. Morway is a sea faring nation.
The Prayer by Petter Dass is wonderful and of course the music video.
Although not a Catholic we studied in a Catholic school and in the chapel there they had a bowl of holy water.
Dear Ralph,
I think you have translated the essence of my unsaid intentions with this blog post.
God is God and above all human imagination.
He's not a protestant, a Catholic or a Jew.
Not even in our best art or grandiose buildings will we ever be able to honor him.
I was born into pretty high-lofted environments, and had a mixture of Pentecost and Lutheran upbringing.
A minority and a majority in Norway, my bellybutton in the world.
I had however never been into a Catholic church until I was 30 years of age.
I felt home there too.
This summer I've red Falcone's La Catedral del Mar, and been made even more aware of the immanence struggle behind the ancient buildings, all humanity's crave for freedom and self respect, and on the other hand our willingness to make scapegoats, like the Jews actually were all over Europe. (and sadly still are, referring to a certain Swedish paper last week).
Living in the strain between our best and lowest qualities, I find great comfort in the old Baroque priest singing God is God if even all men were dead.
We can but make a bleak image of his greatness and the worn phrase; almighty.
From Felisol
beautiful detail!
I love the old stones, they absorb history
my RT photo was a total accident, I was playing around with manual settings and didn't think anything had come out
thanks for your lovely comment
I love this post and your beautiful shots!
I would love to find a old church to explore myself.
Have a great day!
Anna
Fantastic sepia photos, but that ship is absolutely beautiful!
Great historic post... 1130 - Fascinating
what a perfect subject for sepia. I enjoyed your post as well.
Your photo's were my favorite sepia scene from this week. I love how much history is in the pictures.
If you'd like to stop by my blog I'm at Cake Crumbs.
Magnificent!
I love your photo of the ship; I used to build model ships when my eyesight was younger.
And I love the 1698 quote, "Times, ceremonies and people change, but God is from eternity to eternity,"
You're at the top of your form with this post.
dear felisol,
julie's treasure is here!!!
love terry
Dear Felisol,
Just dropped by, as I thought of you this morning. In a few minutes I will turn off this lap top to pack my bags again for a trip to Manila.
Will visit Obedient One for a few days as well as go on a trip to a lovely mountain city in the northern part of our country.
Blessings on you today dear friend. Hope all is well with you and Gunnar.
Love
Lidj
Interesting how austere the church is on the outside compared to the inside. I LOVE the photo of the water font. They are all beautiful but that's my favorite. I feel like I'm having a little vacation tour right here at my desk. Thank you for bringing me a long.
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