Greetings to the many Orthodox Christians who are celebrating Easter Monday today.
It might be the right day to give you the final installment of my description of the new Magdala Center on the Sea of Galilee.
(My previous posts are under Magdala.)
Thank you, people of Singapore, for donating this side chapel.
In the reflection is the main Boat Chapel.
I will quote the descriptions from the official website, since they explain it best.
(You can click on the photos to greatly enlarge them and enjoy the details of the wonderfully colored, sparkly tesserae.)
"Each of the four chapels are home to a mosaic that illustrates events from the public life of Jesus and each mosaic is an open window inviting us toward the infinite love of God in the Gospel. Each chapel has enough room for up to 30 people and an expressive mosaic depicting a biblical event near the Sea of Galilee. They are realistic representations in dialogue with the original sites and invite us to meditate the Gospel scene in its authentic context.
The first chapel facing the lake is the Walking on Water Chapel, representing the story in Matthew where Peter’s faith was tested by walking on water with Jesus. “‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?'” Matthew 14: 29-31 NIV"
"The second chapel facing the lake is the Fishers of Men Chapel, representing another story in Matthew where “Jesus Calls His First Disciples”. “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4: 18-20 NIV"
"The other is dedicated to the daughter of Jairus. This holds great significance because she was the only woman whom Jesus raised from the dead. In this we see the Magdala messages woven together. “He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum!’ (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.” Mark 5: 41-42 NIV"
BTW, you might enjoy the story of Jerusalem's 1867 school called Talitha Kumi.
Our tour group was in such a rush that I somehow missed the fourth important chapel, so you will have to see the photo at the Magdala website.
"One of these chapels is of course the Mary Magdalene Chapel, where we remember the story in Luke of Jesus casting out demons. “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out.” Luke 8: 1-2 NIV"Duc in Altum at Magdala Center is a Catholic spiritual center being built by the Church of Mexico.
They are doing a really good job. Do stop in if you are in Israel.
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(Linking to inSPIREd Sunday, Weekend Reflections, Monday Mural, signs, signs and Our World Tuesday.)
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Thanks for your detailed description of the church and murals Dina, and thanks for participating.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful murals, Dina!
ReplyDeleteIt is always a pleasure to visit the Orthodox Churches with so much color in the icons and murals.
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful post Dina The art work is beautiful
ReplyDeleteVery impressive mosaic's
ReplyDeleteInteresting post.
ReplyDeleteI've very curious it was given by the people of Singapore?
ReplyDeleteLydia shalom. The Magdala Center is a project of the Catholic church of Mexico. They get donations from all over the world.
ReplyDeleteHere is some information to answer your question, from a January 2014 article:
http://catholicnews.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9645:singapore-team-contributes-to-chapel-in-new-holy-land-basilica&catid=362&lang=en&Itemid=473
"This country may be a little red dot, but it has left its mark in one of the four chapels at the new Basilica of St Mary Magdalene in Magdala, the Holy Land.
Thirty benefactors and a few members of the Singapore Order of Malta were present at the dedication and blessing of the first Singapore chapel in the Holy Land on Dec 20.
This was part of the Magdala Project, which was encouraged by Pope John Paul II in 2004, soon after the second intifada and Christians needed encouragement to come back to the Holy Land and stop the growing numbers of emigration.
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI blessed the cornerstone, and it is now hoped that Pope Francis will consecrate the whole basilica during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Support first came from Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia in 2007, and on its completion, Archbishop William Goh gave a congratulatory message, where he also prayed that “pilgrims who come to seek the Lord, in the solace of this chapel find Him in prayer and quiet contemplation of His ministry in Galilee”.
The Singapore team had chosen the theme of Jesus walking on water, while the three other chapels are dedicated to Jesus calling the fishermen, casting out demons from Mary Magdalene, and raising Jairus’ dead daughter. Each chapel can hold about 60 people.
A total amount of US$355,006 (S$410,610) was put together by local donors to build the Singapore chapel initially, but El Salvador also helped with an additional contribution of US$85,000.
The private Mass was the first to be held in the basilica, which was built over the market of the first century port dating to before the birth of Christ. The celebrant was Fr John Solana, Pontifical Charge of Notre Dame of Jerusalem and initiator of the Magdala Centre, and concelebrated by Fr Eamon Kelly.
During the Mass, the Singapore flag was placed on the altar and the national anthem sung.
In a bid to bring more pilgrims to the Holy Land, there are other works currently ongoing including the construction of the Pilgrims Hotel, a restaurant, a media centre and an archaeological centre.
By Dr Gabriel Oon"
Hmmmm, how interesting. Not sure about the little red dot comment...thanks for the follow up
DeleteLydia, true, the little red dot was a bit strange.
ReplyDeleteI like how they tell the story by painting it.
ReplyDeleteI love the depth and the silhouettes in the reflection.
ReplyDelete