Ambassador of God - Mother Teresa
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Pascal_Lopes]Pascal Lopes
The 5th of September, 2009 marks a little more than a decade since the world lost the Ambassador of God and Icon of the 20th century Mother Teresa, who continues to live in the hearts of her believers across the world
Pope John Paul the 2nd has said "Mother Teresa marked the history of our century with courage. She served all human beings by promoting their dignity and respect, and made those who had been defeated by life feel the tenderness of God"
Mother Teresa in her blue border cotton white sari is a familiar figure to the world and is held in deep affection by people across all religions. She was born on 17th August 1910 to Albanian parents in Skopje [Yugoslavia (now known as Macedonia)] and was baptized as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. After graduating high school in Skopje she joined the sisters of Loreto. She was sent to the orders convent in Calcutta. Nineteen years later she left the convent to work directly with the slum residents of Calcutta, all she had then was her unfailing faith and tremendous determination. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of charity that brought hope to the poorest of poor not only in India but across the world. The deepest consolation offered by her was something that went beyond physical care, it was LOVE. It involves emotional involvement, making people feel they are wanted.
In recognition of her impressive humanitarian activities and compassionate work evoked worldwide recognition. Award followed after award from the Padmashree (1962), The Magsaysay (1962), The Pope John XX111 Peace Prize (1971), The J. F. Kennedy International Award (1971), The Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding (1972), The Order of St. Francis of Assisi (1974), Nobel Peace Prize (1979), The Bharat Ratna (1980) and many more.
She is the only personality to appear on Indian Postal stamp when alive. The stamp was issued in 1980. The stamp carries a portrait of Mother Teresa along with the facsimile of the reverse of the Nobel Peace Prize medallion.
She died in Calcutta on 5th September 1997. Mother Teresa was granted a full state funeral by the Indian Government, an honor normally given to presidents and prime ministers. Following the death of Mother Teresa a host of countries like Liberia, Malta, Uganda, The Turks and Caicos Island etc. issued coins in her name. An interesting coin of Mother Teresa issued by the Turks and Caicos Island is of guilt copper nickel, the front of the coin carries a portrait of Mother Teresa and her signature with the inscription "God bless them those who help hungry people", Reverse of the coin shows embedded date and value.
A coin was issued by Turks & Caicos Island immediately after the death of Mother Teresa as a part of the campaign against hunger. Few organizations took objection to the use of Mothers name for promotional campaign and the coin was recalled.
Mother Teresa was formally beatified by Pope John Paul 2 on 19th October, 2003; a second verified miracle is required for Mother to proceed to canonization as a saint. With so much service to poor, incapacitated and needy I doubt if any more miracles are really needed. She is the peoples saint. Only a saint can leave everything at age of 17 to serve people in third world countries.
It is not surprising that Mother Teresa had undergone a deep crisis of faith for the last four decades of her life, let's not forget the fact that apostles had undergone similar struggle in the New Testament. They had their problems. They had abandoned the Lord and then they rose above that and continued in their faith.
The greatness of the great Mother can not only be seen from the humanitarian activities she carried out but are acknowledged by the Stamps, Coins issued in her name across the world and all the awards she has received.
Pascal R. Lopes, (Pasmeena)
Email: [mailto:pascal_lopes@yahoo.com]pascal_lopes@yahoo.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pascal_Lopes http://EzineArticles.com/?Ambassador-of-God---Mother-Teresa&id=3082290
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Byzantine Art - Grandeur in the Art History of Eastern Roman Empire
Byzantine Art - Grandeur in the Art History of Eastern Roman Empire
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Annette_Labedzki]Annette Labedzki
The era of Byzantine Art, awed for the lavish use of gold and silver in artworks, dates back from the fourth century to the fall of its capital, Constantinople, in 1453. Byzantine Empire also referred to as Eastern Roman or Romania, had a Middle Aged, Greco-Roman culture. Several other states, such as Bulgaria, Serbia, and Venice, shared cultures similar to that of the Byzantine. The heart of Byzantine Art was set on human figures, especially holy Christian figures, "Virgin Mary," "apostles," and "saints" accompanied by "angels & bishops." Byzantine emperors held the ultimate place in the culture. They were crucial to the political anatomy and were accredited as the divinely word of God.
The art & architecture of this period reflected the strife between the Roman Catholic religion developed in the Western Roman Empire, and the Eastern Orthodox religion thriving in the East. Eastern Orthodox Church created the majority of Byzantine artworks, emphasizing on the mournful worship tone, instead of mass praying. The 'Classical' creative heritage of this era reflects the images of "Cherubs," mythological heroes, Gods & Goddesses, as well as the incarnation of virtues. The paintings and the mosaics of this period exhibited a generous use of colors with golden or toned backgrounds on lifeless and tense figures, such as the mosaic of "Hagia Sophia" in Constantinople.
Interestingly enough, human figures, the key subject of Byzantine Art, were portrayed in two different styles. One, as an emblem of power, authority, and grandeur, represented through the frontal figures of Christ, saints, and the imperial family. The images used to be full-length, with subtle emotions in eyes, a relevant facial expression, and hands gesturing meaningfully. The other style was religious in format, such as adoration, prayer, sympathy, and distress. The figures' hands would gesture for blessings, teaching, etc, and/or holding either a book or a scroll. To depict a crowd, the principle of depth was applied through the overlap and/or the placement of figures at the higher side of a plane.
Sculptures in this glorious era, were limited only to ivory works, such as the diptych of "Areobindus" (506) and "Forty Martyrs of Sebaste" of Macedonia. Overall, Byzantine Art somewhere abandoned its attempt towards 'Realism,' working more on 'Symbolism' and 'Abstraction,' such as in miniatures of "Rabula Gospel" (6th century). Several famous Byzantine icon works include, "The Virgin of the Passion," "The Ladder to the Heaven," "The White Angel at Christ's Sepulchre," "The Archangel Michael," "The Crucifixion," and "Entroned Madonna and Child," depicted on the walls of either monasteries or churches.
The fifth and the sixth centuries Byzantine Art climaxed, while staying consistent on the marks of excellence. By eighth and ninth centuries, Byzantine Art began diminishing, due to the 'iconoclastic' prohibition of human illustration in paintings. These rulers considered the human representation through artworks, as an infatuation to idol worship. However, the excellent Byzantine Art regained its lost prestige towards the end of the ninth century. Works such as the icon, "The Annunciation from Ohrid," depicting 'Paleologan Mannerism' were created. Through its journey, Byzantine Art influenced the architectural artistry of West Europe, especially Italy, as Romanesque Art, in the tenth and the eleventh century. The Byzantine glory continued up to the 14th century, until the fall of empire to the Ottoman Turks.
Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art . Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.labedzki-art.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Annette_Labedzki http://EzineArticles.com/?Byzantine-Art---Grandeur-in-the-Art-History-of-Eastern-Roman-Empire&id=2059354
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Annette_Labedzki]Annette Labedzki
The era of Byzantine Art, awed for the lavish use of gold and silver in artworks, dates back from the fourth century to the fall of its capital, Constantinople, in 1453. Byzantine Empire also referred to as Eastern Roman or Romania, had a Middle Aged, Greco-Roman culture. Several other states, such as Bulgaria, Serbia, and Venice, shared cultures similar to that of the Byzantine. The heart of Byzantine Art was set on human figures, especially holy Christian figures, "Virgin Mary," "apostles," and "saints" accompanied by "angels & bishops." Byzantine emperors held the ultimate place in the culture. They were crucial to the political anatomy and were accredited as the divinely word of God.
The art & architecture of this period reflected the strife between the Roman Catholic religion developed in the Western Roman Empire, and the Eastern Orthodox religion thriving in the East. Eastern Orthodox Church created the majority of Byzantine artworks, emphasizing on the mournful worship tone, instead of mass praying. The 'Classical' creative heritage of this era reflects the images of "Cherubs," mythological heroes, Gods & Goddesses, as well as the incarnation of virtues. The paintings and the mosaics of this period exhibited a generous use of colors with golden or toned backgrounds on lifeless and tense figures, such as the mosaic of "Hagia Sophia" in Constantinople.
Interestingly enough, human figures, the key subject of Byzantine Art, were portrayed in two different styles. One, as an emblem of power, authority, and grandeur, represented through the frontal figures of Christ, saints, and the imperial family. The images used to be full-length, with subtle emotions in eyes, a relevant facial expression, and hands gesturing meaningfully. The other style was religious in format, such as adoration, prayer, sympathy, and distress. The figures' hands would gesture for blessings, teaching, etc, and/or holding either a book or a scroll. To depict a crowd, the principle of depth was applied through the overlap and/or the placement of figures at the higher side of a plane.
Sculptures in this glorious era, were limited only to ivory works, such as the diptych of "Areobindus" (506) and "Forty Martyrs of Sebaste" of Macedonia. Overall, Byzantine Art somewhere abandoned its attempt towards 'Realism,' working more on 'Symbolism' and 'Abstraction,' such as in miniatures of "Rabula Gospel" (6th century). Several famous Byzantine icon works include, "The Virgin of the Passion," "The Ladder to the Heaven," "The White Angel at Christ's Sepulchre," "The Archangel Michael," "The Crucifixion," and "Entroned Madonna and Child," depicted on the walls of either monasteries or churches.
The fifth and the sixth centuries Byzantine Art climaxed, while staying consistent on the marks of excellence. By eighth and ninth centuries, Byzantine Art began diminishing, due to the 'iconoclastic' prohibition of human illustration in paintings. These rulers considered the human representation through artworks, as an infatuation to idol worship. However, the excellent Byzantine Art regained its lost prestige towards the end of the ninth century. Works such as the icon, "The Annunciation from Ohrid," depicting 'Paleologan Mannerism' were created. Through its journey, Byzantine Art influenced the architectural artistry of West Europe, especially Italy, as Romanesque Art, in the tenth and the eleventh century. The Byzantine glory continued up to the 14th century, until the fall of empire to the Ottoman Turks.
Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art . Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.labedzki-art.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Annette_Labedzki http://EzineArticles.com/?Byzantine-Art---Grandeur-in-the-Art-History-of-Eastern-Roman-Empire&id=2059354
Accomodation and Lodging in Macedonia
Accommodation and Lodging in Macedonia
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Milan_Matchev]Milan Matchev
Nestled in the southeast of Europe, Macedonia is a small and beautiful country that offers its guests a great blend of wonders, traditions and cultures as well as hospitality. The country is mountainous sprinkled with beautiful valleys and lakes. It remains one of Europe's last great undiscovered countries.
Macedonia has something for everyone from their savory cuisine to their love of music, dance and how Macedonians know how to make their visitors at home. Macedonia's churches and mosques contain many fine examples of art and architecture from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Macedonia's capital, Skopje, has the most attractive quarter of the city known as the Skopje Old Town. It is full of shops and restaurants. In this place, you can also find the Kursumli An and the Suli An caravanserais and the Daut Pasha Baths with its two large and 11 small domes. Macedonia's second largest town is Bitola, which was an important center of Ottoman rule and has the nearby ruins of the ancient city of Heraclea. The most attractive town probably in Macedonia is Ohrid, where you can find number of ancient churches, particularly the Cathedral of St Sophia containing some magnificent 11th-century frescoes.
Macedonian cuisine combines Balkan and Mediterranean flavors and traditions. You can find different varieties of kebab in almost everywhere. Among its national specialties include Ajvar, the national sauce that is made from sweet red peppers; Gravce tavce, which is beans in skillet; and Burek, a flaky pie filled with combinations of ham, cheese, spinach and ground beef.
When you visit Macedonia, connect directly to the owners of hundreds of vacation rentals. Find vacation homes and condo rentals as well as Macedonia travel information. The Internet has a wide coverage of different vacation rentals around the globe. Definitely, it can assist you in finding a suitable Macedonia Vacation Rentals. Check rates, ratings, and amenities, and book a reservation!
We have wide selection of [http://arrangeyourvacation.com/vacation-rentals/Macedonia.htm]Macedonia Vacation Rentals that offer more amenities and space than hotels. Check out the [http://vacationrentals.bg]vacation rentals in Estonia to inquire and book directly with the owner.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Milan_Matchev http://EzineArticles.com/?Accommodation-and-Lodging-in-Macedonia&id=2805829
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Milan_Matchev]Milan Matchev
Nestled in the southeast of Europe, Macedonia is a small and beautiful country that offers its guests a great blend of wonders, traditions and cultures as well as hospitality. The country is mountainous sprinkled with beautiful valleys and lakes. It remains one of Europe's last great undiscovered countries.
Macedonia has something for everyone from their savory cuisine to their love of music, dance and how Macedonians know how to make their visitors at home. Macedonia's churches and mosques contain many fine examples of art and architecture from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Macedonia's capital, Skopje, has the most attractive quarter of the city known as the Skopje Old Town. It is full of shops and restaurants. In this place, you can also find the Kursumli An and the Suli An caravanserais and the Daut Pasha Baths with its two large and 11 small domes. Macedonia's second largest town is Bitola, which was an important center of Ottoman rule and has the nearby ruins of the ancient city of Heraclea. The most attractive town probably in Macedonia is Ohrid, where you can find number of ancient churches, particularly the Cathedral of St Sophia containing some magnificent 11th-century frescoes.
Macedonian cuisine combines Balkan and Mediterranean flavors and traditions. You can find different varieties of kebab in almost everywhere. Among its national specialties include Ajvar, the national sauce that is made from sweet red peppers; Gravce tavce, which is beans in skillet; and Burek, a flaky pie filled with combinations of ham, cheese, spinach and ground beef.
When you visit Macedonia, connect directly to the owners of hundreds of vacation rentals. Find vacation homes and condo rentals as well as Macedonia travel information. The Internet has a wide coverage of different vacation rentals around the globe. Definitely, it can assist you in finding a suitable Macedonia Vacation Rentals. Check rates, ratings, and amenities, and book a reservation!
We have wide selection of [http://arrangeyourvacation.com/vacation-rentals/Macedonia.htm]Macedonia Vacation Rentals that offer more amenities and space than hotels. Check out the [http://vacationrentals.bg]vacation rentals in Estonia to inquire and book directly with the owner.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Milan_Matchev http://EzineArticles.com/?Accommodation-and-Lodging-in-Macedonia&id=2805829
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
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