Alleluia, Christ is risen! And we spent the days of preparation and celebration of Easter in a different, but special, way this year. We left the ship on Maundy Thursday in the port of Ancona, Italy to travel a few hours by train to Ravenna, a very memorable place.
Ravenna served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire in the Fifth Century when Barbarian invasions made Rome unsafe. It was taken over by the barbarian Ostrogoths, and subsequently conquered by the Byzantine Empire. During the Fifth through Eighth Centuries, AMAZING mosaic works were produced in the churches all around the town. We spent Holy Saturday walking from one to another admiring and reflecting.
On Sunday, we worshiped under the watchful gaze of the Emperor, Justinian, and the Empress, Theodora.
We missed St. Stephen’s. In spite of the beautiful, historic building complete with the incredible art all around, the service was surprisingly plain. There was very little music. Next year……
Christ is risen!
Blessings,
Linda
