Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Myrrhbearers

Santa María de Nogueira de Miño is a Romanesque church from the second half of the 12th century. The tower and façade were renovated in the 18th century. In 2012, wall paintings from the period between 1560 and 1570 were discovered, which have since been restored. They are attributed to the so-called ‘Mestre de Nogueira.

León was founded in 68 AD for a Roman legion from which they were supposed to pacify the rebellious mountain dwellers of Asturias and Cantabria. The name of the settlement that was then developed is based on a refined form of the Latin word "legio". After the end of the Roman Empire, the city was conquered by the Visigoths and in 712 by the Moors. In 856, after the reconquest under King Ordoño I of Asturias, the city was repopulated. Ordoño II made León the capital of his kingdom of León in 914. Sacked by Almanzor in about 987, the city was reconstructed and repopulated by Alfonso V, León was an important stop on the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. Traders and artisans settled in the suburbs and had a strong influence on the development of the city from the 13th century onwards. In the early Middle Ages, the city became prosperous through the cattle trade. However, from the 16th century until the 19th century, the economy and population declined. The Basílica de San Isidoro de León is located on the site of an ancient temple to the Roman god Mercury. In the 10th century, the kings of León established a community of Benedictine sisters on the site. Following the conquest of the area by Al-Mansur (938–1002), the church was destroyed and the area devastated. León was repopulated and a new church and monastery established in the 11th century by Alfonso V of León. In 1063 the basilica was dedicated to Saint Isidore of Seville. Isidore was the archbishop of Seville and the most celebrated academic of Visigothic Spain in the period preceding the Arab invasions. With the agreement of the Muslim ruler of Seville, Isidore's relics were brought to Leon where they could be interred on Christian soil. The church benefited from its position on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella. Sculptors, stonemasons, and artists from across Europe gathered to work on the monastery. Puerta del Perdón It is called "Puerta del Perdón" because it was the door through which the pilgrims entered, to obtain the corresponding indulgences and forgiveness of sins in this church. The tympanum is divided into three parts that show three different reliefs with three scenes: Ascension, Descent and Empty Sepulcher that the three Marys contemplate. The lintel rests on lion and dog heads.

Salerno (pop. ~ 130.000) is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The site has been one of the most important and strategic ports on the Mediterranean sea, yielding a rich Greco-Roman heritage. It was an independent Lombard principality in the early Middle Ages. The Normans in 1077 made Salerno the capital of their rule in all of southern Italy. In the 16th century, under the Sanseverino family, among the most powerful feudal lords in southern Italy, the city became a center of learning, culture, and the arts. Salerno has been the seat of an archbishop since 983 and the city's medical school is famous for being the first college or "university" of medieval Europe. The Diocesan Museum is best known for the "Salerno Ivories". A collection of ivory plaques from around the 11th or 12th century that contain elements of Early Christian, Byzantine, and Islamic art as well as influences from Western Romanesque and Anglo-Saxon art. It is the largest unified set of ivory carvings preserved from the pre-Gothic Middle Ages and depicts narrative scenes from both the Old and New Testaments. It is supposed the ivories originated in either Salerno or Amalfi, which both contain identified ivory workshops, however, neither has been definitively linked to the plaques so the city of origin remains unknown. Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind John 9, 1:6 "As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After saying this, he spits on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. "Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam”. So the man went and washed, and came home seeing." --- The Myrrhbearers

The town on the Vistula River has been known since the 9th century. In 1009 a Benedictine monastery was founded here. King Bolesław I the Brave built the original fortifications on the Cathedral Hill overlooking the Vistula River. In 1075, the city became the seat of a bishopric. From 1079 to 1138, during the reign of Władysław I Herman and Bolesław III. Wrymouth, the city was the capital of Poland. In 1144 the Płock Cathedral was completed, and in 1180 the first school in Poland was opened in the city, which still exists today as the Liceum Małachowianka. he 16th century was the golden age of the city before it suffered great population losses due to plague, fire and wars. In 1657, during the Second Northern War, the Swedes destroyed Płock, including the castle, but the population rebuilt it and recovered. In the late 18th century, the old city walls were torn down and a new town was built, where many German immigrants settled. During the second partition of Poland in 1793, the town was annexed by Prussia. In 1815 it became part of Congress Poland and later was annexed completely by the Russian Empire. In 1939, after the invasion of Poland, the city became part of the German Empire in violation of international law. The first mention of the cathedral dates back to 1102, when Władysław I Herman was buried there. The present Romanesque cathedral was rebuilt after a fire and lasted from 1136 to 1144, being consecrated in 1144. The Romanesque bronze door was created in Magdeburg in 1152-1154 by order of the Bishop of Płock and was originally installed in the cathedral. Through the mediation of the Bishop of Magdeburg, the order was given to Master Riquinus. Master Awram from Novgorod was also involved. The components of the door were cast individually from bronze and nailed to the wooden door in partially reversed order. The sequence of images was changed several times and Russian inscriptions were added. Between the panels with figural motifs there are wide borders. In total, the door consists of 26 panels. Between the panels there were borders with plant ornaments, which were replaced in the upper part by figural motifs of knights and animals. The panels depict the cycle of redemption, starting with the scene of the creation of the first man and ending with Christ enthroned as the judge of the world, surrounded by symbols of the evangelists. The door handles are designed in the form of lion heads holding small human heads in half-open mouths. The door remained in Płock for about 250 years, then it was brought to Novgorod and installed in St. Sophia's Cathedral. Either it was stolen by the Lithuanians during a raid in the 13th century or it was given to the Prince of Novgorod, Simon Lingwen, the brother of Władysław II. Jagiełło. Today there is a bronze copy in Płock. The original is in Novgorod. Descent from the Cross and the Myrrhbearers finding the empty grave.

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by the Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. - William II of Sicily built from 1172 here a fort-like complex of buildings, which included a cathedral, an archiepiscopal palace, a royal palace and a Benedictine monastery. In 1183 the monastery became the seat of the archdiocese of Monreale. The town then developed around this complex. According to a legend, William fell asleep while hunting. The Holy Virgin appeared to him in a dream, suggesting him to build a church here. After removing a tree, a treasure was found, whose coins were used to finance the construction. Well, it is much more likely that Monreale was founded in competition with the bishop of Palermo, who had commissioned the large Cathedral of Palermo. This would explain the vast dimensions and the splendour of the "Duomo di Monreale" and the adjoining cloister, the only structures of the large complex, that survived the times. The cloister (completed ~ 1200) measures 47x47 metres. Each side has 26 arches resting on columns. The carvings of the capitals (and the columns) are very detailed and complex, the themes vary and some capitals are "hard to read" and interprete. The Myrrhbearers Mark 16:1-7 "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. "Don’t be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’"

Not much is known about this church. Some scholars date the building mid 11th, most mid 12th century. It may have been built by the Knights Templar, but there is no document about it. It is a small Romanesque basilica, erected on a "Latin Cross" blueprint. Within the 19th century the church was modified. There are larger windows now and a roof, that now stretches over nave and the two aisles. The portal has a 12th century tympanum, seen here. To the right are the three "Myrrhbearers", the three ladies (aka "Three Marys") finding the empty tomb. To the left the fight of two knights. Above a lion and three round symbols/medaillons.

The "Basilica della Santissima Trinità di Saccargia" is probably the most important and renowned Romanesque church in the island of Sardinia. The construction was commissioned by the "giudice" of Torres, a powerful judge. The church was completed and got consecrated in 1116. It was built, over the ruins of a pre-existing monastery, on the floorplan of a "Tau Cross" just like the neighbouring "San Michele di Salvenero". An abbey was founded by Camaldolese monks. The order had been founded about 100 years earlier by Saint Romuald in Camaldoli (Tuscany). The church was abandoned in the 16th century, the monastery fell in ruins, and only some walls and foundations can be seen. The church was restored and reopened in the 20th century. The apse is covered with a large fresco, dated 1180-1200. Here is a detail. Seen left is the "Deposition of the Sepulcre", where of the Myrrhbearers only Virgin Mary has a nimbus. To the right the "Descent into Limbo". The devil is under Christ´s feet.

The town of Chaource (pop. 1100) is known for the Chaource cheese and the church dedicated to Saint-Jean-Baptiste. The choir was part of a church built within the 14th century, but from 1531 on the old nave got teared down and was replaced by nave and aisles seen here. Steps lead down to the "Chapelle du Sépulcre", where this entombment is placed. The "mise au tombeau" was created by an unidentified sculptor, known under the name "Maitre de Chaource" around 1515. Scholars are still discussing the identity of the Master, but - just like the much older "Maître de Cabestany" -, the name may stand for a studio or a workshop. There are more than a hundred of carvings in this typical, very realistic style in the Champagne area, attributed to him. Fltr: Nicodemus, Virgin Mary, Saint John, Mary Salome, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Clopas and Joseph of Arimathea.

Already Theodoric the Great, King of the Ostrogoths, may have funded a church, erected over the tomb of Saint Zeno, who, following the legends, was born in Mauretania and died around 380 in Verona. The erection of the present church began in the 9th century. Soon after San Zeno´s relics were translated into the new church. At that time Charlemagne´s son Pepin (aka "Pepin of Italy") resided in Verona and a large Benedictine monastery grew all around the church. When the Magyars invaded Italy in the early 10th century, the church got severely damaged, but the relics were not harmed, as they had been taken out and were hidden. In 967, a new church was built with the patronage of Otto I. On January 3, 1117, the church was damaged by an earthquake, that ruined so many buildings in Northern Italy. The church was restored and got enlarged in 1138. It may well be, that soon after panels of a bronze door from another (destroyed?, damaged?) church were transferred to San Zeno - and so got reused here. Today the famous bronze door consists out of two panels on which the plates are fixed. The older ones (~ 1100) are often compared with the bronze works in Hildesheim, and Saxon Masters may have worked here. The younger ones (1200) are "smoother" and some scholars connect them to Benedetto Antelami, who worked in Parma 1178 ("Deposition"). Unfortunately the room is so small, that I was unable to take an "overview", so I could only take photos of panels and details. The Myrrhbearers approach the empty tomb. Here are only two ladies, but mostly seen in this situation are the "Three Marys". I have the impression, that on the left one lady got lost.

Sens was an important place in medieval times. Upto the 11th century the Archbishop of Sens hold the title "Primate of the Gauls and Germania". Thomas Becket lived in Sens for some time, when he was forced to leave England. Here Thomas met Pope Pope Alexander III. In 1141 Bishop Henri Sanglier here caused the condemnation of Peter Abelard. Bishop Henri Sanglier was well connected to the leading political figures. He and Abbot Suger de Saint-Denis were close friends - and had similar architectural ideas. Abbot Suger decided around 1137 to rebuild the Church of Saint-Denis. Bishop Henri started the construction of this cathedral around 1140. It is still discussed, which church is older, as this would be the oldest early Gothic church in France. While in Saint Denis (130kms northwest) the building process came to an halt for some time, the choir of the cathedral in Sens was completed already in 1168. It is sure, as Suger´s church in Saint Denis was an abbey church, the "Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Sens" is the oldest Gothic cathedral in France. Of course, there were many alterations done later. After the southern tower of the western facade collapsed in 1267 it got rebuilt within the next decades. When Pope Alexander III consecrated the cathedral in 1164 it may not have been fully completed. On 27 May 1234 Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") married Marguerite de Provence, who was 13 years old at that time. Some of the stained glass windows of the cathedrals were created within the early 13th century. Told here are different, but interconnected "stories", making it a little complex. The top center depicts Jerusalem. The three diamond shapes in the center depict the "Parable of the Good Samaritan" (Luke 10:29–37). Around the top diamond are Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden. Around the diamond in the center are four scenes from the life of Moses. Below, around the third diamond "Jesus being condemned by Pilate", the "Flagellation", the "Crucifixion of Jesus" and the "Myrrhbearers" / "The Three Marys at the Tomb".

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The cathedral is best known for the wonderful stained glass windows. The three windows around the choir date back to the 12th century and may be the oldest in France. The central window (previous uploads) is very large (8,35ms x 3,10ms). A crucifixion scene is in the center of this window, the Ascension is seen above the crucifixion. Here is, what is seen below. The top tier has the empty tomb (with two sleeping soldiers), the angel waiting to the left and the three "Myrrhbearers" approaching from the the right. Matthew 28:1 "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb." The center tier has (left) "NERO IMPERAT(OR)" with a blue devil on his shoulder. He just sentences to death: "STS PETRUS" gets crucified upside down and (right) blindfolded "STS PAULUS" gets decapitated. Under the head of Saint Peter the sponsors of this church "Henry II of England" and "Eleanor of Aquitaine" watch the scenes. I cannot read all the words there, but the the restaurators from 188x left their "signature".

The Monasterio de San Pedro el Viejo ("Saint Peter the Old") is a former Benedictine monastery built within the 12th century. A church had existed here (built on the place of a Roman temple) since Visigothic times and even, when the Moors hold Huesca, this church was in use. Christian troops conquered Huesca in 1096 and from 1117 on Benedictines with obvious ties to Cluny reconstructed the church and erected a monasterio here. Of course the Benedictian monastery needed a decent cloister. This got erected adjoining the church around 1140. Many of the capitals, carved in the style of the "Master of Agüero" (aka "Master of San Juan de la Peña"), are creations done during the renovation of San Pedro el Viejo end of the 19th century. Here is one of the old, weathered carvings. This is the same capital, seen on the previous upload. While the solders were already sleeping there, here to the right, they are still guarding the tomb. In the center seen here are the "Myrrhbearers" (aka "The Three Marys"). Matthew 28:1 "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb." An angel stands left to the empty tomb, greeting the women. Mark 16:6 "And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."

The parish church in Saujon is a sober structure, erected 1679. Since 1912 the nave hosts four Romanesque capitals that once were part of a church dedicated to Saint Martin, that got "lost" during the French Revolution. The capitals are masterly carved. This capital depicts the three women (aka "The Three Marys", "Myrrhbearers", ) approaching the empty tomb. Mark 16:2-5 "Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed." The angel is sitting on the empty tomb and greeting the Marys. Mark 16:6 "And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."

A priory, dependent from the (once important) Benedictian abbey Saint-Sauveur de Charroux existed here since the 12th century. At that time Saint-Martin was erected as the church for the priory. The church got enlarged and vaulted in the 13th and 14th century, but during the Wars of Religion (1562–1598), the structure got severely damaged, so that the ceiling and the crossing dome collapsed. The imposant western facade with the large archivolts survived the attacks. The priory was sold after the French Revolution and all buildings, but the church, got demolished. Today Saint-Martin serves as the parish church of the small village. The main portal in the architectural style, that is typical for the Saintonge. Two blind arches flank the larger arch / doors. There is no central tympanum, but a multitude of archivolts. As the the main theme of the portal´s center is the "Ascension of Christ", it is not surprising to find the "empty tomb" and the "Myrrhbearers" just around the corner. Matthew 28:1 "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb." Mark 16:1-2 "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb"