Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Sarah

The "Basilica di San Vitale" was erected on an octagonal plan from 526 on, when Ravenna was under the rule of the Ostrogoths, followers of the Arianism. It was completed and got consecrated in 547, when Ravenna was part of the Byzantine Empire. The church combines Roman with Byzantine elements. It is most famous for its wealth of Byzantine mosaics, the largest and best preserved outside of Constantinople. It is one of the most important examples of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture in Europe. The impact, that this church had on the Wesern European architecture, can hardly be overestimated. The Palatine Chapel in Aachen, commisioned by Charlemagne, has strong parallels to San Vitale. Here are Abraham and his wife Sarah. Genesis 18:1-10 "The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant." "Very well," they answered, "do as you say." So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick," he said, "get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread." Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. "Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him. "There, in the tent," he said. Then one of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him."

A settlement with the name Ra had existed here in very early times. A priory of Montmajour Abbey (aka "Abbaye Notre Dame de Montmajour") was founded by the bishop of Arles within the 6th century. This was named "Sancta Maria de Ratis". Later the monastery got raided by Vikings and Saracens. The church was erected within the 12th century. A medieval legend told that the "Three Maries" (Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome Mary Jacobe) and their servant Sarah cast adrift here together with Joseph of Arimathea (who had the Holy Grail with him, and who from here later travelled to Britain). When in 1448 relics of Marie Jacobé and Marie Salomé were discovered, pilgrimage to this place developed, so the the church had to be enlarged. The low-ceilinged crypt is not a a place for claustophobic or heat-sensitive visitors. Here are the relics of Saint Sarah (aka "Sarah the Black"), once the Maries´ maid. Following the legends, Sarah was a native of Upper Egypt. She is the mythic patron saint of the Gypsies.

A settlement with the name Ra had existed here in very early times. A priory of Montmajour Abbey (aka "Abbaye Notre Dame de Montmajour") was founded by the bishop of Arles within the 6th century. This was named "Sancta Maria de Ratis". Later the monastery got raided by Vikings and Saracens. The church was erected within the 12th century. A medieval legend told that the "Three Maries" (Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome Mary Jacobe) and their servant Sarah cast adrift here together with Joseph of Arimathea (who had the Holy Grail with him, and who from here later travelled to Britain). When in 1448 relics of Marie Jacobé and Marie Salomé were discovered, pilgrimage to this place developed, so the the church had to be enlarged. The low-ceilinged crypt (not a place for claustophobic or heat-sensitive visitors) holds the relics of Saint Sarah (aka "Sarah the Black"), once the Maries´ maid. Following the legends, Sarah was a native of Upper Egypt. She is the mythic patron saint of the Gypsies what makes Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to a pilgrimage destination for the european Roma (Gypsies). Every year in May thousends of Gypsies gather here for a weeklong religious festival. The statue of Saint Sarah, seen here, and other statues will then be taken to the sea in a pompous procession. As this is a major event for the tourists as well, the Tourist office has a website about: www.saintesmaries.com/en/home/pilgrimages/gypsies-pilgrim...

A settlement with the name Ra had existed here in very early times. A priory of Montmajour Abbey (aka "Abbaye Notre Dame de Montmajour") was founded by the bishop of Arles within the 6th century. This was named "Sancta Maria de Ratis". Later the monastery got raided by Vikings and Saracens. The church was erected within the 12th century. A medieval legend told that the "Three Maries" (Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome Mary Jacobe) and their servant Sarah cast adrift here together with Joseph of Arimathea (who had the Holy Grail with him, and who from here later travelled to Britain). When in 1448 relics of Marie Jacobé and Marie Salomé were discovered, pilgrimage to this place developed, so the the church had to be enlarged. The small crypt (see the previous photos) holds the relics of Saint Sarah (aka "Sarah the Black"), once the Maries´ maid. Following the legends, Sarah was a native of Upper Egypt. She is the mythic patron saint of the Gypsies what makes Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to a major pilgrimage destination for the european Roma (Gypsies). Over the last decades probably millions of small candles burnt in that low-ceilinged crypt - and as the small rectangular window is the only "chimney" of the crypt, the soot has blackened the whitish stones around.