All Hallows Church

All Hallows Church By The Tower
London, England

"All Hallows-by-the-Tower, also previously dedicated to St Mary the Virgin^[1] and sometimes known as All Hallows Barking, is an ancient Anglican church on Byward Street in the City of London, overlooking the Tower of London.

"Founded in 675, it is one of the oldest churches in London, and contains inside a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon arch with recycled Roman tiles, the oldest surviving piece of church fabric in the city.

Sanctuary and Altar

"All Hallows-by-the-Tower was first established in 675 by the Anglo-SaxonAbbey at Barking^[2] and was for many years named after the abbey, as All Hallows Barking. The church was built on the site of a former Roman building, traces of which have been discovered in the crypt. It was expanded and rebuilt several times between the 11th and 15th centuries.^[3] Its proximity to the Tower of London meant that it acquired royal connections, with Edward IV making one of its chapels a royal chantry and the beheaded victims of Tower executions being sent for temporary burial at All Hallows.

"he church was badly damaged by an explosion in 1650^[4] caused when some barrels of gunpowder being stored in the churchyard exploded; its west tower and some 50 nearby houses were destroyed, and there were many fatalities. The tower was rebuilt in 1658, the only example of work carried out on a church during the Commonwealth era of 1649–1660. It only narrowly survived the Great Fire of London in 1666 and owes its survival to Admiral William Penn, father of William Penn of Pennsylvania fame, who had his men from a nearby naval yard demolish the surrounding buildings to create firebreaks. During the Great Fire, Samuel Pepys climbed the church's spire to watch "the progress of the blaze and what he described as "the saddest sight of desolation".  

Exterior Church Sign

"Restored in the late 19th century, All Hallows was gutted by German bombers during the Blitz in World War II and required extensive reconstruction, only being rededicated in 1957.

"Many portions of the old church survived the War and have been sympathetically restored.^[5] Its outer walls are 15th-century, with a 7th-century Saxon arch doorway surviving from the original church, which is the oldest piece of church material in London. Many brasses remain in the interior. (The brass rubbing centre which used to be located at All Hallows is now closed). Three outstanding wooden statues of saints dating from the 15th and 16th centuries can also be found in the church, as can an exquisite Baptismal font cover which was carved in 1682 by Grinling Gibbons for ₤12, and which is regarded as one of the finest pieces of carving in London. In 1999 the AOC Archaeology Group excavated the cemetery and made many significant discoveries.^[6]

"The church has a museum called the Undercroft Museum, containing portions of a Roman pavement which together with many artefacts was discovered many feet below the church in 1926. The exhibits focus on the history of the church and the City of London, and include Saxon and religious artefacts. Also on display are the church's registers dating back to the 16th century, and notable entries include the baptism of William Penn, the marriage of John Quincy Adams (which is the only marriage of a U.S. President that occurred on foreign soil), and the burial of Archbishop William Laud.^[7] Laud remained buried in a vault in the chapel for over 20 years; it was moved during the Restoration to St John's College, Oxford.

"The altar in the crypt is of plain stone from the castle of Richard I at Athlit in The Holy Land.^[8]

"All Hallows-by-the-Tower has been the Guild church of Toc H since 1922. The church was designated a Grade I listed buildingon 4 January 1950.^[9]

"The Church also has a Carillon which was brought back to working order in the 1970s by Philip Blewett, then a priest at the church, and Desmond Buckley over many weekends." (Link.)

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Photos: Taken by RW  in Oct. 2018 with Iphone while travelling in London.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Hallows-by-the-Tower

                                                                         Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)

Sant'Agostino di Catania

Chiesa di Sant' Agostino Church

Catania, Sicily, Italy

"The church of Sant'Agostino was built in the central area of ​​the city. A splendid example of the Catanese Baroque, it was built in 1615 on the design and work of G. Palazzotto, who kept faith with his architectural style, making a valuable contribution to the city of Catania. It was originally dedicated to St. James and only later was dedicated to St. Augustine. In 1637 the Augustinian friars, to approach the inhabited center, flanked their convent to the building, moving from a place near the church of S. Domenico, outside the urban nucleus.

Entrance

"Rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693, the church has a single nave plan and a baroque façade. The interior is embellished by the ancient high altar, made of marble with wooden Crucifix. Then there are six side chapels with marble altars, adorned with statues depicting St. Augustine, St. Heart, St. Francis of Assisi and Our Lady of Fatima, works of Giuseppe Stuflesser from Ortisei.

The entrance to the Church, raised above the road surface, has four columns in Corinthian style and a symmetry between the lower and upper part of the building. At the top we find a window grafted on columns that facilitates the entry of sunlight into it. On the outer margins there are two statues depicting Saint Augustine who wins the heretics and St. Thomas of Villanova who gives alms to the poor.

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Photos: Taken by RW  in Oct. 2018 with Iphone while travelling in Italy.

Link 1: https://www.google.ca/search?q=Chies+S.Agostina,+G.+Pallazzotto,+sicily&rlz=1C1KYPB_enCA770CA770&tbm

Link 2: http://www.cassiciaco.it/navigazione/monachesimo/chiese/italia/sicilia/catania.html

                                                                         Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)

Chiesa  Di San Leonardo

Chiesa  Di San Leonardo

Bergamo, Italy

"Bergamo ... is a city in the alpine Lombardy region of northern Italy, approximately 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Milan, and about 30 km (19 mi) from Switzerland, 

"With a population of around 120,000, Bergamo is the fourth-largest city in Lombardy. 

"The city of Bergamo is composed of an old walled core, known as Città Alta("Upper Town"), nestled within a system of hills, and the modern expansion in the plains below. The upper town is encircled by massive Venetian defensive systems that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 9 July 2017.

"Bergamo is the second most visited city in Lombardy after Milan" (Link 1.)

Sanctuary and Altar

"The oldest church in lower Bergamo, was built at the beginning of the year one thousand, fairly contained internally. Although devoid of relevant works it contains four small altars and six beautiful affreschi.

Sanctuary Side Altar

"While we were "shooting" in the center of the lower city we found ourselves right in front of this church built in 1017 AD. 

"In 1171 the church became the property of the Crociferi and was used to accommodate sick and pilgrims until the mid 1600s, when the order was dissolved. 
At the end of the seventeenth century it became the Somaschi family who were the owners of the church until the end of the 18th century. At the beginning of the 19th century it was donated to the parish church dedicated to Saint Alexander and was made a subsidiary church.

Sanctuary Side Altar

"It is the oldest church in the city and is dedicated to the protector of prisoners. It is not easy to identify it. Inside a single nave with 4 small altars on both sides.... 6 beautiful frescoes on the ceiling, .

Church Sign

"Change of religious orders has been sold to the parish of St. Alexander at the beginning of the nineteenth century and became a subsidiary. Of the ancient church there are the fourteenth-century portal, the rose window from the fifteenth century and the side walled windows that were discovered during a restoration. The most recent interior preserves some paintings even if others were stolen in the past centuries. "(Link 2)

Church Poster
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Photos: Taken by RW  in Oct. 2018 with Iphone while travelling in Italy.

Link 1:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergamo
Link 2: https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g187830-d5485546-Reviews-Chiesa_di_San_Leo

                                                                         Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)

Entrance to Catania Airport Chapel

Catania Airport Chapel
Catania, Sicily, Italy

Map of Sicily and Catania Airport (Link .)

CTA

IATA: CTA ICAO: LICC

       Catania Sicily Airport (Link 2.)

"Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, in Italian Aeroporto Internazionale Vincenzo Bellini di Catania-Fontanarossa (IATA: CTA, ICAO: LICC), is an international airport located at 4.3 km southwest of Catania, the second largest city of the island of Sicily (Italy). Actually, it is the busiest airport in Sicily and the 6th busiest in Italy. (Link 1.)

"Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (Italian: aeroporto internazionale Vincenzo Bellini di Catania-Fontanarossa, English: Catania International Airport) (IATA: CTA, ICAO: LICC) also named as Vincenzo Bellini Airport, is an international airport 2.3 NM (4.3 km; 2.6 mi) southwest^[1] of Catania, the second largest city on the Italian island of Sicily. It is named after the opera composer Vincenzo Bellini who was born in Catania.

"It is the busiest airport in Sicily and the 6th busiest in Italy with 9.120.913 passengers in 2017.^[2] Major airlines such as Alitalia, Lufthansa and KLM offer services here and connect numerous European destinations such as Rome, Munich, Amsterdam and Berlin, while low cost airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair offer flights to leisure destinations.

"With nearly two million passengers carried in 2016, the Catania/Fontanarossa - Rome/Fiumicino route is Italy's busiest air route, and Europe's fourth busiest. (Link 2.)

Chapel Entrance Poster

Chapel Altar

"Catania is the second largest city of the Italian island of Sicily, with a total population of 313,000 inhabitants. Between the cities of Catania and Messina, there is the Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe (3,329 m) and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. On 2013, it was declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. In the past, Catania has been destroyed by several catastrophic earthquakes and violent volcanic eruptions by Mount Etna.

The best time of the year to visit the city is on Spring. If you wish to visit it during Summer be ready for high temperatures, since it has the hottest climate in Italy.

"About its attractions, you shouldn’t miss a trip around Mount Etna.

Regarding architecture, it is worth to see the Fontana dell’Elefante, the main symbol of the city, the Greek-Roman Theatre, the Roman Forum and the Baroque city centre of city, since is an UNESCO World Heritage Site (the Cathedral, Saint Placidus, Saint Francis of Assisi, among others).

"If you visit Catania on Winter, you shouldn’t miss the Festival of Saint Agatha, which is celebrated every February 5 to honour the city’s patron."(Link 1.)

"Catania Airport's history dates back to 1924, when it was the region's very first airport. During World War II it was seized by the Allies during the Sicily Campaign and used by the United States Army Air Forces as a military airfield. Twelfth Air Force used the airport as a combat airfield, stationing the 340th Bombardment Group, which flew B-25 Mitchells from 27 August to 19 November 1943. In addition, the HQ, 51st Troop Carrier Wing used the airport from 29 September 1943 to 29 June 1944. Various transport units used the airport for the rest of the war, afterward it was turned back over to civil authorities.^[3]

"By the late 1940s, it was clear that the airport was fast running out of space and it was deemed necessary to relocate and in 1950, the new bigger and improved Catania Airport opened for business.

"After 20 years of unexpected growth and high passengers levels, in 1981 it was once again necessary to restructure the airport to cope with demand.^{[citation needed]}

"In order to cope with the increasing passengers figures, a new terminal, equipped with 22 gates and 6 loading bridges, opened on 8 May 2007 replacing the old facilities.^{[citation needed]} The current "investment programme" has ensured that Catania Fontanarossa Airport continues to look forward and plan for growth over the next ten years, implementing a whole new infrastructure and making many additions, including a panoramic restaurant, a new airside runway and further office space.^{[citation needed]}

"Ryanair started flying to Catania in 2013, initially announcing only one route to Catania while also starting operations to Comiso Airport, a new airport which opened in 2013 and is located approximately 100 km from Catania, near the city of Ragusa. "(Link 2.)

Airport Poster

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Photos: Taken in October 2018 by RW  while travelling in Italy.  

                                                          
Link 1: https://www.airport-catania.com/

Link 2:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catania%E2%80%93Fontanarossa_Airport

                                                                       Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)

1. Santa Luca Alla Badia Church

Santa Luca Alla Badia Church
Siracusa, Sicily, Italy

The church of Santa Lucia alla Badia is a church in Syracuse , located in Piazza Duomo and dedicated to the patron saint of Syracuse.

Originally the site of a monastery of the XV century , was completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1693 , and the reconstruction is due to the Mother Superior of the Sisters Cistercians between 1695 and 1703 , the architect Luciano Caracciolo directed the work and from which the project has also arisen.

Church Front Entrance

"The façade , previously on the narrow Via Picherali that leads to the Aretusa spring , and now facing the square, has two overlapping orders separated by the trabeation with a balcony fitted with a wrought iron railing.

"The lower order is characterized by the presence of the baroque portal in the center, framed by spiral columns that support the pediment decorated with symbols of the martyrdom of the Saint, on whose sides there are Spanish royal coats of arms. Pseudo- Ionian style pilasters , are part of the lower order of the façade

"In the higher order, there are still more slender, pseudo- Corinthian pilasters , inspired by the Rococo style .

The façade reaches a total height of about 25 m. On the top there is a jagged girdle with putti heads and the cross, currently removed as being unsafe.

"The interior has a single nave decorated by four Baroque altars of 1705 , in the vault are the frescoes of 1783 representing the Triumph of Saint Lucia . The presbytery has a dome roof on the top of the temple.

"In the apse, behind the high altar , there is the large painting of the "Burial of Saint Lucia" painted in 1608 by Caravaggio , in his Syracusan residence; the painting, originally on the altar of the church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro , after a series of important restorations, was first exhibited at the Palazzo Bellomo gallery , before being placed in the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia.

Artist	Caravaggio
Year	1608

                               (Link 1.)

"Burial of Saint Lucy is a painting by the Italian artist Caravaggio. It is located in the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia located on the Piazza Duomo in Syracuse, Sicily." (Link 2.)

Artist of "Burial of St. Lucy"

"According to The Golden Legend, Saint Lucy had bestowed her wealth on the poor, in gratitude for the miraculous healing of her mother. Denounced as a Christian, she refused to recant, offered her chastity to Christ, and was sentenced to be dragged to a brothel. Miraculously, nothing could move her from the spot where she stood. She was pierced by a knife in the throat and, where she fell, the church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro in Syracuse was built. " (Link 1.)

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Photos: Taken in October 2018 by RW  while travelling to Italy.  
Link 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_of_St._Lucy_(Caravaggio)
Link 2: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiesa_di_Santa_Lucia_alla_Badia

                                                          

                                                                        Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)