8:33 PM
Susan Marek
The drive to the north of France was lovely. We passed chateau after chateau as we wove our way down country roads and through small villages toward Vezelay. Our mission: another church with mystery! Vezelay is a small town with a quaint main street that leads uphill to the church.
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| Vezelay |
This town is very much steeped in the Mary Magdalene traditions, with sea shells (one of her symbols) on buildings and embedded in the street.
The church has interesting carvings above the imposing doors and even small rats carved into the foot of one column!
Inside, the inner portal to the main body of the church has an intricate carving of Jesus along with the astrological symbols. Unexpected and fabulous! Who would have thought Jesus would share space with a Capricorn?
There is a chapel to Mary Magdalene across from the crypt. She is holding the alabaster jar against her abdomen.
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| Mary Magdalene, Vezelay |
Imbedded in the pedestal is a piece of her thigh bone.
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| Mary Magdalene reliquary, Vezelay |
In the crypt is a beautiful reliquary containing a larger piece of her thigh bone. Don't you think the reliquary looks Egyptian?
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| Mary Magdalene reliquary, Vezelay |
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| The Crypt, Vezelay |
There are beautiful statues of saints throughout the church, as well as some painted saints on the columns. In addition to the Mary relics, one of the most fascinating things was something that wasn't on display. It is the "host holder" that holds the sacred communion host for adoration. It caught my eye on a sign in the church. I think my jaw dropped open when I saw it.
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| Ankh, Vezelay |
The holy Catholic sacrament is displayed in an EGYPTIAN ANKH! LOVE IT! In many of the shops in town, there are references to the Church, Egypt, Freemasons, and paganism. What a unique and mysterious combination! I love Vezelay!
After brief visit, we left and made our way west to Chartres...
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2 comments:
Oh what did that comment about Jesus and Capricorn mean? So curious! :-)) And I'm also curious...how did they get her thigh bone? Have you started writing your book? Thanks for posting!
It is so funny to me that Jesus is placed with mythological animals from the zodiac. I love how all different like Christianity, astrology, paganism are all mixed together there. :)
I have no idea how they got the thigh bone. I will have to took that one up. As for the book, it is coming as soon as I have a moment to myself. Probably when the kids are back in school...
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