Thursday, September 19, 2019

Emilia Romagna, day 3

Did you know about THIS?

A depiction of Saint Wilgefortis (aka Kümmernis, Uncumber, Liberata, Débarras, ...) in the Parma Baptistery. In the version of the legend we heard today. she kicks off her gold princess's shoe to thank the fiddler for keeping her entertained while she dies on the cross. As you do.
Or THIS?

Josephat, a thinly-Christianized Buddha. Also featured, Helios the sun god and Selene the moon god. !!
...if so, you'd definitely beat me at the pub quiz category, "mythologies of the Middle Ages." But in any case: the Baptistery in Parma is amaaaaaazing (and the Wikipedia page in English is sadly just a stub, try the Italian Wikipedia page or this site).

On a more typically Christian note (though this is something else I learned about only recently), here's Mary the Mother of Mercy, who if you can ignore the V-word is kind of an awesome image of feminine strength.
"Be merciful to me, oh God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge." Psalm 57:1

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