Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Gabriel

A monastery was founded here by some Everward and his wife Geva around 854 as a house of secular canonesses, unmarried daughters of the saxonian nobility. There are parallels to the abbey in Gandersheim, - only a few years younger - and as well a secular house for noble unmarried ladies. The abbey existed upto 1812, and during centuries had a very colourful history. After Luther´s reformation the canonesses favoured to be "Lutherians" in future, so that some Anabaptists of the Muenster rebellion could find a secret asylum here for some years. Catholicism returned finally to Freckenhorst during the 17th century. In 1116 the collegiate and the church burnt down. A new church was built. This new church got consecrated in June 1129 by Egbert, bishop in Muenster, a relative of and advisor to Lothair III. - The most valuable jewel within this great romanesque collegiate church is this baptismal font. Quoting late Georg Dehio, one of the great german art-historians, this is "the most important baptismal from stone of the 12th century" in Germany, "a goldwork in stone". Over a "greek" base, two carved bands going all around (a small third one on top is just ornamental). Inbetween is an inscription telling us the exact date of the consecration of the church: - 04. June 1129 - Framed by arcades are seven "images", connected to the liturgical year, that actually translate to seven "steps" to salvation. Here seen the Annunciation. Archangel Gabriel announcing Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus. Gabriel holds a speech band, that reads "AVE GRAE PLENA (JES?) TECU" / Ave gratiae plena (Jes?) tecu / Hail, full of grace, Jesus is with you / This differs a bit from Luke 1.28. Mary answers via speech band "FIAT M SCDM VBV T" / Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum / May your word to me be fulfilled /. - Sorry for the bad quality of the photos. To take them on a afternoon in winter was not a really good idea, but I could not wait for better light in spring and so had to use a torchlight. More interesting details can be found in: Kirche und Stift Freckenhorst, Jubilaeumsschrift zur 850. Wiederkehr des Weihetages der Stiftskirche am 04. Juni 1979, Warendorf 1979

After the preceding "Domus Justinae" in Piacenza had collapsed in 1117 after an earthquake, the "Duomo di Piacenza" (aka "Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e Santa Giustina") was erected between 1122 and 1233. The cathedral has a total length of 85 m. making it the largest Romanesque church in Emilia-Romagna. Unfortunately the Duomo was under reconstruction and hidden under scaffoldings. I could not enter, as it was locked on this rainy day. So I could not the see the interior and the crypt, known for more than 100 Romanesque pillars. The duomo has a very slender, elegant central apse with this extraordinary window. To the top left is Angel Gabriel, holding a banner, that reads "AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM" - "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee" = Luke 1.28. Written on the banner held by the bearded prophet below is "ORIETUR STELLA EX JACOB" - "A star will rise from Jacob" = Numbers 24:17, while the prophet ob the right holds the banner "ECCE VIRGO CONCIPIET ET PARIET" - "The virgin will conceive and give birth" = Matthew 1:23. Stunning is that delicate semicircular frame with the four heads.

A small community of Canons in Chauvigny was founded by the Seigneurs de Chauvigny around 1025. Bishop Isembert I of Poitiers (+ 1047) was a Seigneur de Chauvigny, as well as his sucessor. The erection of the Collegiate church started end of the 11th century. It took about a century to complete the structure. The church was in the center of the heavily fortified stronghold, that has a long history of sieges, lootings, captures and recaptures. The "Cité Médiéval" was in ruins end of the 18th century. Mid 19th century the restauration process started. Since then the interior of Saint-Pierre has this distinctive colour-scheme of white and red. The church is known for the capitals, that are in deed extraordinary. Archangel Gabriel announces Christ's birth to the shepherds. Written above is DIXIT GLORIA INEXELSIS DEO. Even the shepherd are "labeled", what can´t be seen from this pov. PASTORES near the left ones, over the head of the right shepherd PASTOR BONUS. Luke 2:8-14 "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: "You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

A small community of Canons in Chauvigny was founded by the Seigneurs de Chauvigny around 1025. Bishop Isembert I of Poitiers (+ 1047) was a Seigneur de Chauvigny, as well as his sucessor. The erection of the Collegiate church started end of the 11th century. It took about a century to complete the structure. The church was in the center of the heavily fortified stronghold, that has a long history of sieges, lootings, captures and recaptures. The "Cité Médiéval" was in ruins end of the 18th century. Mid 19th century the restauration process started. Since then the interior of Saint-Pierre has this distinctive colour-scheme of white and red. The church is known for the capitals, that are in deed extraordinary. The Annunciation Virgin Mary is greeted by the Archangel Gabriel , who holds a cross. Luke 1:26-28 "In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."