Today is St. Stephen's Day.
It is even a legal holiday in many countries.
Stephen was the first Christian martyr, the Protomartyr.
In the year 34 or 35 he was stoned to death, probably at the Damascus Gate.
Near the gate, outside of the Old City, a church was built in the 5th century to house his relics.
The Dominican Fathers built a new church over the remains of the ancient one in 1900.
The Basilica of St. Stephen or Basilique Saint-Étienne is very beautiful.
The paintings are of John the Baptist, Jesus, and Stephen.
The saints hold the scrolls of their inspired sayings.
Inside the peaceful walled compound of the church is also the monastery and the famous École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem (EBAF).
You can enlarge the photo and read the sign about them.
The Ecole's website has a nice video tour of the whole place.
There are also four earlier posts about this place, this special place which I always think of on December 26, St. Stephen's Day.
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A very beautiful place with an interesting history, thanks Dina. 10,000 monks - that would be something to see!
ReplyDeleteThe Basilica of St. Stephen/Étienne IS very beautiful. I think the paintings of John the Baptist, Jesus and Stephen are perfectly set in their space. And the red and white arches lend a Southern Spanish feel to the architecture.
ReplyDeleteGood King Wenceslaus looks down on the Feast of Stephen!
ReplyDeleteFriendly Aloha from Honolulu,
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I love learning from your blog. Of course, I knew about St. Stephen, but I was unaware that countries considered his feast day as a holiday. The carol "Good King Wenceslas" sings about the feast of Stephen.
ReplyDeleteSimply fascinating!
ReplyDeleteHi Dina! Hope you are having a great season! Sorry for the absence, but 2012 was definitely a difficult year here in Portugal, and even worse for me...
ReplyDeleteWish you a very Happy 2013, and enjoy Grenada in Blogtrotter Two!
Wonderful post!!
A beautiful church and art.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of St. Stephen, but did not know it was a celebration..
Happy day Dina:-)
It is a holiday here and I have so many Stephans around me!
ReplyDeleteAs our son wears his name certainly an important day over here.
ReplyDeleteWonderful Basilica, Dina.
ReplyDelete