Category Archives: Christian ARTworks month by month

The initiative, launched on Thursday 8 April 2021, follows the Conference “Promoting the Christian Heritage of Europe” and aims to present and reflect on Christian culture and its social relevance within the European Union.

In cooperation with the dioceses of each of its Bishop Delegates, COMECE will share examples of Christian art masterpieces through its social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin), encouraging to reflect on the European dimension of such heritage and on the diversity, richness and beauty of artworks often out of reach to a wider audience.

“Christian cultural heritage is a key element of European identity, which points to the shared history of European citizens and Churches, proving to be extremely meaningful also in present times, especially in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic”, states Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of COMECE.

Digital visual contributions of Christian works of art will be monthly shared to foster a “culture of encounter” and dialogue, in the light of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti.

Christian ARTworks month by month, Education & Culture, Policy Areas, Press

Malta

St John’s Co-Cathedral (Archdiocese of Malta)

Completed in 1578, St John’s Co-cathedral in Valletta (Malta), was founded by the order of the Knights of St John. Its severe facade contrasts with the richly decorated interior, where decorated chapels represent the langues (regional administrations) of the Order’s members: Auvergne, France, Provence, Aragon, Italy, Germany, Castile, Léon and Portugal, and Anglo-Bavaria. A sumptuous example of the European roots of the Order and tangible … Continue reading »

Christian ARTworks month by month, Policy Areas

Germany

The Golden Madonna (Diocese of Essen)

The Golden Madonna, representing Mary with Jesus, is the embodiment of the Patron Saint of the German Diocese of Essen, where it is nowadays conserved. The miraculous statue, sculpted around 980 AD, was the most important Marian icon for the canonesses and sisters of the Essen Abbey, venerated for centuries and brought in processions. The statue is carved in poplar wood and covered with 116 … Continue reading »

Christian ARTworks month by month

The Netherlands

Saint Willibrord by Albert Termote (Archdiocese of Utrecht)

The bronze statue of Saint Willibrord can be seen today in the Archdiocese of Utrecht (The Netherlands), close to the Domplein. The statue is a symbol of the devotion of the faithful to Saint Willibrord, the missionary-bishop who evangelised many areas of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Denmark in the 6th century. Born in England in the 7th century, Willibrord took his vows as … Continue reading »

Christian ARTworks month by month

Portugal

Saint James the Greater by Dieric Bouts (Diocese of Funchal)

The Diocese of Funchal (Portugal) was founded 506 years ago and its history mixes with that of the archipelago of Madeira itself, rediscovered in 1418 and marked since then by Christian cultural heritage, identifiable in the different tangible and intangible cultural expressions of the area. The painting represents Saint James the Greater and is attributed to Dieric Bouts, a painter of the Flemish School, in … Continue reading »

Christian ARTworks month by month

Belgium

Madonna and Child by Michelangelo (Diocese of Bruges)

The Madonna with Child was sculpted by Michelangelo Buonarroti in 1504-1505. The Virgin Mary is represented as a young mother with the Infant Jesus, who is resting upright against her knee, both figures showcasing a serene expression. The marble statue was bought in Italy by Jan Mouscron, a scion of a wealthy Bruges-based family of cloth traders and shortly later gifted to the church. The … Continue reading »

Christian ARTworks month by month, Education & Culture, Policy Areas, Press

News

COMECE launches new initiative on EU Christian cultural heritage

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) launches “Christian artworks month by month”, a new initiative promoting Christian cultural heritage from the dioceses of the COMECE Bishop Delegates located across Europe. The initiative, launched on Thursday 8 April 2021, follows the Conference “Promoting the Christian Heritage of Europe” and aims to present and reflect on Christian culture and its social relevance … Continue reading »