A few days away...

We are back from spending a few days with our friends in the capital. Sorry that I have not been able to update much this week. Something was wrong with our internet connection over there, and I was a bit lost not being able to check my email! We had a great time with our friends, and were really sad to see them leave.

While they were here we were able to explore an ancient monastic site called Monasterboice. This monastic site was founded in the fifth century and contains some of the best examples of Irish High Crosses in Ireland. As you know - Irish High Crosses (10th century-ish) were the 'stained glass' of the Middle Ages. These massive stone crosses had Biblical scenes carved into them so that a largely illiterate culture would be able to see and remember the stories.

Here are a few pics of the first High Cross. It is known as "The Cross of Muiredach".

(the panels from the bottom to the top show - Jesus being arrested, Doubting Thomas, The Risen Christ as the ruler of the world, the crucifixion)




(detail of the crucifixion section)





(on the back side of the cross - Adam and Eve/Cain killing Abel)




(the back side of the cross showing Christ judging the souls of men. The center shows Christ with David playing a harp on the left and an angel with a book to his right. The left side shows the redeemed being led by an angel playing a trumpet. The right side shows the souls of the condemned being pushed away by demons kicking them (and one caring a pitchfork) .




Here we are - This gives you some idea of the massive size of the cross.




.