when christianity first arose it was without images it had only words only script images were first introduced into the christian s assembly rooms where they were concentrated at the far end of the simple whole cold the clays yes but once the walls were adorned with images they told a story. how did these images arise how did these stories come about and what role did angels play in the stories of conflict between power and order heaven and.
back was established to this day the benedictine monks there assemble in a narrow vaults that are a tree a. one off. the. marion barry monastery is famous for its roman frescoes in a symbolic series of images they reinterpret human beings path to salvation they are brought closer to the angels by pursuing their battle against evil. the more. humans can rise in the heavenly hierarchy by successfully overcoming evil that is the message of these frescoes. we see the end jet experiments and cherubs recognizable by their six wings that. alongside them is the apostle peter who holds the key to heaven in paradise and on his right is a protective angel. this constellation indicates
above all an indication of the primary thing communicated by christian images order . doesn t thankfully throw one of these a reflections on quo. asked jensen how can i portray god how can i portray what is holy and purely spiritual without it becoming sensible and being dragged down to the level of antiquity which the christians termed paganism. ruston because now. the picture of a hierarchical order in heaven is the keen to christian imagery order is the prerequisite for perfection. the first step towards a self-contained christian iconography of angels didn t take place in rome in the
assisi was considered the main renewal of the christian doctrine of salvation no building from the late middle ages baz great a testament to this spirit of renewal as that of the hyatt church of assisi. its name is dominated by jaw toes world famous francesco s but the real secret is to be found in the older decorated transepts of the name of what is here translated pictorially is the virgin mary s bodily ascension to heaven and her final exaltation of the angels. in one of the man dollars held up by for an angels jesus and mary are in friend in loving devotion one of the angels is said to have called out who is she she who is
raised up from the desert nestling on her lover. angels prophets and the saints assemble around the heavenly throne on which the virgin mary sits alongside her son. as an intercessor on behalf of humanity. what is important here all the protagonists hands sent francis whose face can no longer be recognized pleads for redemption on behalf of his brothers as he is conveyed by mary to her son who listens and gives his blessing to the franciscans. the virgin mary s role in the heavenly hierarchy is in this franciscan church newly defined. she is jesus companion and on with the angels at the same time she remains a human being that signifies that she is the first human being to be redeemed and raised to heaven.