neille cryptography: 5 churches + Museum of Rome + Refugee Observations

Thursday, June 28, 2012

5 churches + Museum of Rome + Refugee Observations

It's been an interesting, fast, and intense week. I'm a bit behind, but I'll briefly catch you all up to speed.

Tuesday:
1. Santa Pudenziana and Santa Prassede: some of the oldest churches in Rome; named after 2 daughters of Roman Senator Pudens who housed Peter in Rome; this was our first look at large Christian mosaics = notice a Christ-centered apse, 12 disciples flock of sheep, alpha & omega, and (my favorite) Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John portrayed as the man-angel, winged lion, bull, and eagle, respectively.

2. Santa Prassede: here we see the first concept of a relic, a tangential artifact, sometimes a body part, a cross, etc.
This is a relic of the column that Jesus was tied to when he was tortured.

3. Santa Maria Maggiore: such a large, gorgeous church; highest campanile in Rome, 1377

Museum of Rome:
After another big salad at Insalata Ricca, Jennie, Kristin, Crystal, and I ventured to the Museum of Rome. There were no English signs, so instead we had to read from laminated cards in each room.
-one of the most gorgeous staircases I've ever seen

-scultpture of Jesus's baptism

-neatest ceilings ever

-a special exhibit: restoration and display of "The Resurrection of Lazarus" by Caravaggio

They used organic/inorganic chemical spectroscopy to determine the compounds in the art.

-also had lots of heirlooms from famous Roman families

Nighttime:
-public lecture at Rome Center by Professor Kasaba on Middle East
-night service at my church site, Santa Maria in Trastevere: hymns and prayers in Italian

-night jaunt to Vatican City and St. Peter's Square (aka where Pope blesses the people)

Wednesday:
-visit to market where lots of refugees shop and sell food/clothing

-anyone for eel??
-volunteering at the Refugee Center with Kristin, Sara, and Anna: this was a very powerful experience. We were assigned to color/draw with the refugees, men who have fled their countries of origin to come to Europe, but cannot find jobs/housing. Once we sat down and starting drawing on paper, they pretty much flocked over to us. They would write their name, and we would write our name. Then they would write our names in Arabic and teach us to say "how are you?" and "hello." The man I talked with the most was a mid-20s Afghani man who was told he cannot return to Afghanistan until one year has past. He misses his family, but became more interested in America and the fact I lived on a farm, etc. Another man drew me a picture of his home in Pakistan with the river and trees. Some of them are very artistically talented, while some have trouble speaking English or writing. We left that day with a stack of 30 or so pages among all four of us.
-spent all evening prepping for my presentation

Thursday:
-4. Santa Maria in Trastevere: my church presentation! It went very well.
-5. Santa Cecilia in Trastevere: the home of St. Cecilia, a matyr who was boiled and slashed to death, poor girl, because she refused to worship the Pagan gods. Our instructor Lauren completed her graduate school thesis on this artwork, so she had such a wealth of knowledge on their piece. So interesting. I bet some of you have seen this piece before in books, etc.

-I received a postcard from my Auntie Chrissy and Phil today from France!