A RENOVATED church in Bahrain featuring 50 awe-inspiring religious paintings will be blessed by an Indian high priest on Friday.
Following the ceremony, His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Supreme Head of the Indian Orthodox Church, will lead the holy mass at the reconstructed St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church in Salmaniya.
The church, which was built on land donated by the late Amir HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, was demolished in 2002. It was extended on the land gifted by His Majesty King Hamad and was rededicated in 2003.
A major renovation of the premises began in 2012 and was completed last year.
According to officials, the church is the first Orthodox Church in the Middle East to feature iconographic art work. Among the images portrayed is the Assumption, a legend depicting Mother Mary’s parting gift to St Thomas; the virgin, according to church historians, dropped her girdle to the saint from the clouds amidst her ascension, which is thought to have occurred in the Middle East region.
Concept
The art work was completed in three months by Kerala-based trained iconographer Reverend Georgy Joseph with the assistance of two other artists, who had flown down to Bahrain earlier this year. They captured the concept developed by Orthodox Church historian Dr Kurian Joseph, also from Kerala.
The images were digitalised by Bahrain resident Binu Veliyil, an art lover and member of the church and was supported by Sibi Zacharia.
“Iconography is described as sacred images conveying spiritual truth in picture form,” Mr Veliyil explained to the GDN.
“It is theology in images and colours, and beyond just pictures – they are sometimes described as windows to heaven.
“The purpose of an icon is to give a message which requires inner hearing and inner seeing – the artists meditate and prayerfully conceive the images in their minds and write it – and often don’t look at the normal images that we have of these religious figures.”
Besides the Assumption, the images include those of Archangels Gabriel and Michael in glass painting on the doors and the rest of the work – Jesus’ disciples, the saints of the Orthodox Church, Mother Mary and baby and the miracles of Jesus – in acrylic.
Meanwhile, His Holiness arrives in Bahrain tomorrow on a five-day visit; this is his debut visit to the kingdom after assuming the high office of Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India. He is the 92nd Primate on the Apostolic Throne of St Thomas.
“We look forward to the maiden visit of His Holiness after his enthronement as the Supreme Head of our church,” said church vicar Reverend Paul Mathews.
“His Holiness is a philanthropist, an individual with inspiring thoughts and is leading several social projects in India, touching many lives from all walks of society.
“His visit will be a blessing and an inspiration.”
The high priest will also lead celebrations marking the 64th dedication day of the cathedral which will run until Sunday.
A public reception will also be held in his honour at the Indian School, Isa Town on Friday evening.
Indian Ambassador Piyush Srivastava will be the chief guest, alongside Social Development Ministry assistant under-secretary Najwa Al Janahi, This is Bahrain chairwoman Betsy Mathieson, Ethiopian Orthodox Church Archbishop of Lebanon and Middle East Abba Dimetros and Malankara Orthodox Church priest trustee Reverend Dr Varghese Amayil, as guests of honour.
The programme will feature a welcome procession with traditional chendamelam, musical band and the cathedral choir will perform hymns. Arabic traditional dance also will be performed.
raji@gdnmedia.bh
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