Be happier!, a photo from Srpska, Est

Photographer's Note

If this photo appears not sharp please use beta TrekEarth or click HERE.

I have kept this photo for the end of the Lent or the Easter Sunday but I was too busy to upload it then. I like very much old Christian paintings they are loaded with Bible stories and symbols. First of all Christianity has recently finished the Lent, 40 days fasting period and it started to celebrate the Easter. The celebration of Easter in the Roman Catholic Church takes 50 days. This ratio 40:50 tells us that, no matter what, we should try to be more happy than sad in our lives.

I would like to take you over the scenes and symbols in these paintings here but the picture is quite small. There is no doubt that we see a scene of crucifixion here. At the right edge we also see the scene of Jesus entering the Jerusalem on the donkey just days before his death. At the very bottom there is a scene from the Gethsemane Garden where all Jesus disciples seem to be asleep while he is praying in anticipation of his death. The left side is less clear to me. I think at the very left there is a moment when two ladies come to the Jesus tomb but they meet there an angel instead sitting at the empty tomb. Opposite to the crucifixion there is certainly one of the scenes when Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection. It looks as if he was taking the hand of one disciple who could be St Thomas, who said he will not believe until he gets a chance to touch Jesus body.

Crucifixion scene itself is particularly full of symbols. Not all of the traditional elements are used in this one here. Just to give you an example, even the fact that Jesus head falls to the right, which traditionally is the good side, symbolizes the victory of the good over evil, life over death. Similarly the fact that his legs were attached to the cross with one nail and the right leg went over the left one. There is really a lot to see in there.

Sadly we observe recently that traditionally Christian countries distance themselves from their cultural heritage. I can understand that certain liberties needed to be built in opposition to the overly conservative church. That makes sense. However I am quite surprised that liberals at the same time seem to have a lot of respect for people worshipping foreign religions even though the same religions are at war with liberal values. It leads to funny situation: it is in fashion to respect people of various cultures and religions living in Europe but those who choose to follow Christianity are treated as old-fashioned, conservative, fanatic or narrow minded. As a result people in the Western Europe don’t know much about the religion which has shaped their culture, while they do learn at school about other religions.

PaulVDV, pajaran, COSTANTINO, Fis2, snunney, ChrisJ, delpeoples, jhm, alvaraalto, ikeharel, adramad trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

lousat (139342) 2017-04-22 15:04

Hi Mariusz,a fantastic capture watching to the top of this church,painted in a very curious way,far by what i'm usual to see in the italian old churches. I like a lot the absolute perfection of sharpness and exposure and the great 3D effect too. Very interesting note too about what it's possible to watch on these paintings. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

PaulVDV (62978) 2017-04-22 15:28

Hello Mariusz,
It also happens that I save a certain photo to post around Christmas or Easter and then I don't have the time for it or I forget the particular picture.
The murals here make me think a little of the painted monasteries in Bucovina, Romania.
Beautiful and clear view upwards.
I agree with what you wrote in your last paragraph.
Best regards, Paul

COSTANTINO (116604) 2017-04-22 23:22

Hello dear Mariusz and have a nice Sunday
thanks for sharing this religious photo with us
all your useful notes about old Christian paintings
are very interesting
absolute perfection of sharpness and ightness
regards
Costantino

jemaflor (147248) 2017-04-22 23:53

Hi Mariusz,
Interesting and beautiful decorations for this interior, a ceiling well framed, impressive POV,well done.

emka (158204) 2017-04-23 0:07

cześć Mariusz,

Typowe wnętrze cerkwi prawosławnej, z całymi ścianami po sufit pokrytej malowidłami. Widziałam bardzo wiele takich pięknych cerkwi w Rosji, na Ukrainie i w Gruzji. Bardzo lubię atmosferę w cerkwi, ze wspaniałymi śpiewami, świecami, dużo bardziej niż kościoły katolickie (poza gotyckimi katedrami, te lubię najbardziej). Mam mnóstwo podobnych zdjęć, ale kiedy to pokazać?? Świetna kompozycja, super ostrość, szkoda, ze takie małe zdjęcie. Gdyby było na cały ekran byłoby bardziej efektowne.
Bardzo wielu katolików jest właśnie takich jak piszesz - konserwatywnych i fanatycznych.

Pozdrawiam

MAłgorzata

Fis2 (170885) 2017-04-23 0:38

Czesc Mariusz!
Wspaniale malowidla, piekna kolorystyka.
Ciekawe spojrzenie pod gore.
Ladny kadr i kompozycja.
Trudne swiatlo ale warto bylo...
Znam ten bol.
Milej niedzieli.
Krzysztof

Nicou (193806) 2017-04-23 2:04

Hlelo

Grandisoe cadrage et vue quel intérieur quel plafond avec ces belles peintures ces arches ces colonnes sueprbe mise en valeur.
Braov et amitié
Nicou

snunney (130967) 2017-04-23 3:16

Hello Mariusz,
Superb capture of this beautifully decorated ceiling. Ideally exposed with perfect colours and detailing.

mesutilgim (0) 2017-04-23 11:33

Hello dear Mariusz,
Nice capture of those beautiful and well kept frescoes. Perfect layout and sahapness.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

ChrisJ (171888) 2017-04-23 12:52

Hi Mariusz,

I think I visited the same church. A superb upward pov with nice warm cold color contrasts between the red and blue. Excellent sharpness and nice symmetry of the matching walls left and right. Tfs!

Tue (92482) 2017-04-24 2:00

Hello Mariusz,
Beautiful photo of the interior of this church. The many colourful wall paintings look fantastic and you handled the lighting splendidly. The symmetry in the architecture is excellent too.
Lars

sacimar (38173) 2017-04-24 9:20

Hello Mariusz,

this is an impressive painting and a great picture, I like these beautiful painted walls, the visual effect is also excellent, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

delpeoples (60342) 2017-04-25 7:43

Dear Mariusz

This is a really beautiful photo, it seems as though you're using the same tripod I use in these situations: balancing the camera on your forehead and taking the shot :) The wide angle lens has worked its magic and you have beautifully displayed the details of the artwork.

I think I might fall into that group of "liberals" you refer to in your note :) I have difficulty supporting the Catholic Church in light of three things. Firstly, the findings of systemic paedophilia against it in various courts and tribunals around the world. In my country, the figure is 1 in 6 children who attended Catholics schools were sexually assaulted by members of the Church. But the world looks away. Secondly, I cannot condone the amount of wealth the Church has amassed, yet it looks away while its people live in abject poverty. Thirdly, the Church in Australia's position on refugees. It seems that so-called Christians here and overseas only care about people if they're not brown or Muslim. My belief in God is not shaken, but my faith in Catholicism is gone.

I hope you had a happy Easter and thank you for sharing
Lisa

jhm (211736) 2017-04-25 10:53

Hello Mariusz,

This is a splendid picture with all the paintings, a very curious way 90% turned.
Also an excellent composition and nice presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

alvaraalto (42804) 2017-04-25 12:50

Hello Mariusz
It looks like you were lying down on your back to take this splendid scene right upwards and if so the result is worth to do so. The rich decoration is visible now in all its glory.
Well done
Groet Rob

pajaran (116011) 2017-04-25 21:55

Dobar dan.
Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad, lepo pokazano, dobar kontrast, lepe boje. Lep enterijer i freske.
Imajte lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje.
Paja.

Good day.
Nice view, interesting and good text ...
Good work, beautifully demonstrated, good contrast, nice colors. Nice interior and murals.
Have a nice and successful day, all the best.

ikeharel (113453) 2017-04-26 1:17

Hello Mariusz,
Colors of the painted ceiling, light and the calrity are OK to my opinion. Combination of religious theme depicted shown marvelously.
Best regards,
Ike

rychem (72187) 2017-04-26 8:21

Chyba lezales na plecach :) Tez mi sie zdarzaja takie akrobacje, sklepienie jest piekne i czasami mozna tam dostrzec niespodziewane elementy, doskonale zdjecie, przy tym ujeciu mam wrazenie, ze sie odrywam od ziemi
pozdrawiam Ryszard

adramad (73006) 2017-04-26 9:24

Hi, Mariusz.
Wow ...... impressive image with this great perspective of the arches, walls and ceiling of this church, a true wonder with all the space enabled, covered with paintings, I would not wonder that to be at this perfect angle, you would have lying on the floor.
A pretty colorful, powering image.
Magnificent management of brightness and sharpness, to enjoy with the details.
Well seen and fulfilled. I like it.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

Silvio1953 (221751) 2017-04-26 10:27

Ciao Mariusz, great view of fantastic frescoes, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Cricri (176) 2017-04-28 0:23

Hi Mariusz
Fantastique prise de vue ( coucher sur le sol :-)!! , intéressante et belle décorations, belle réussite
belle journée
cricri

carlo62 (81265) 2017-04-28 15:16

Ciao Mariusz
questo interno è completamente ricoperto di magnifiche pitture
Eccellente esposizione, la luce non era facile, ma si possono vedere tutti i particolari.
Buon we
Carlo