Wordless Wednesday: Band of Brothers

This has to be somewhere in Europe. Where did you taken this photo?…it’s lovely.

Lisa, this is atop the façade of Saint Peter’s Basilica. I spent a hour or so on a glorious January morning up there.

The index page of my Wordless Wednesday image gallery hasn’t updated, but here’s a direct link to a larger version of this photo: Statues of Apostles on the Façade of Saint Peter’s Basilica.

January must have been far more comfortable than the hot, crowded August afternoon I spent there! (Worth it, though!)

How interesting. I assume these are statues of Saints, or are they idols? There are so many. Do they represent some sort of succession?

What are you seeing here is Jesus and the 12 apostles on the top of the front facade of St. Peters. Specifically in this picture you can see Christ second from the right (holding the cross), and then on the far right is one of the apostles, and the other 4 statues to Christ’s left are 4 other apostoles. (obviously this picture is only showing 5 of the 12 apostoles, they are all there if you see the whole facade.) As with everyone in St. Peters, (and Rome for that matter), the symbolism is huge. Christ is in the center, 6 apostoles on either side, and each apostle is centered over a PILLAR of the front of St. Peters, symbolizing that they are the pillars of the Church. It is awesome to see the whole view from standing out in the square.

(I wrote this just off the top of my head, so please anyone feel free to correct any inaccuracies!)

My husband and I were there in June. It was the trip of a lifetime, and that particular site (and sight!) was breathtaking!