Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-03-04
PAINTINGS IN
GREEK CHURCH.
Magnificent Mural Dscora-
tions--Are Nearly Complete.

In st. John the Baptist Greek
Catholic church, at Division and
Broad streets, MAJ be seen some of
the finest mural paintings of a sa-
cred nature In this section of the
state. The paintings cover practi-
cally the whole story of the new and
old testaments of the Bible, as far as
the principle situations are concern
ed. From the expulsion of Adam
and Eve from the Garden of Eden to
THE Resurrection" as described in
Christianity portrayed.
Work on these paintings has been
progressing since last August and Is
now about completed. The leading
artist is F. Bogdan, who is assisted
by Michael Rozdilskt. Both are of
Scranton, Pa. The painting is cost
ing between $4,000 and $4,000.
Much credit is due to the rector,
Rev. Gabriel L. Csopey, whose untir-
Ing efforts in the interests OF his
church has made the Identification
OF the church a possibility. This ac-
acknowledgement should also be ex-
tended Alexander Horoschak, chair
man OF the board OF trustees, and
Andrew Zboyan, treasurer. When
Rev. Csopey assumed the rectorship
of the church about five years ago,
an accumulation of about $12, 500 in
debts was before him. This has all
been cleared away and the church is.
now free from debt. The parish OF
the church includes from $500 to
5000 people.
Life Size Picture OF Christ.
About four years ago an ikonesta-
sion or partition OF sacred painting
was erected in front OF the church
altar. This work was done by Hefer
Hededus, of Trenton. It included
upwards Of a hundred pictures about
one by two feet In size, OF the Apos-
ties, Prophets and scenes from the
life Of Christ, etc. In the center was
a life size picture OF Christ, as the
arch priest. This huge panel of pic
lures formed the nucleus of the pres
ent scheme OF pictorial decoration of
the church.
Gold and bronze seems to be the
bas1c color scheme OF the church dec
Grafton. All around the church in
panels are the mural paintings OF the
Scranton artists. The huge pictu.e s,
mostly life size, are painted on linen.
Other Magnificent Views.
Over the altar In life size figures
the Holy Trinity Is typified. This
painting Ia within a half dome. Over
the auditorium of the church are
three magnificent, pictures showing
the artists best efforts. The CEN
trail picture, representing the Lost
Judgment" contains probably fifty
figures, life size. The separation OF
the good souls from the bad is
shown, one portion being rewarded
with all the treasures of heaven and
the other being cast into the bottom
pit. This picture Ia probably |
thirty feet square and is an original
conception of the artist, F. Bogdan.
At the southern end Of The church
auditorium, IN q great circle On the
is depicted Christ ascend
ing into heaven following his resur-
rection. In a similar circle at the
northern end of the room Is a paint
Ing, portraying the resurrection.
Along the walls OF the church be-
tween the windows are panel pic
lures. about twenty In all, martyrs OF
the church and ecclesiastical digni-
taries. These pictures r life size.
Down the center of the church the
ceiling Is elevated perhaps twenty
feeI above the main Getting, forming
a sort of an elongated alcove. Both
sides OF this alcove are covered with
panels OF rectangular shape. Along
the east wall OF this alcove are some
twenty paintings about seven by
twelve feet. These mostly depict
scenes from the cid testament.
From the Life of Christ.
On the west wall OF the aieove are
a similar number of pictures show
Ing scenes from the life OF Christ. All
these pictures are life size. Among
the scenes portrayed is Moses strik-
ing water from the rock; Moses with
the Ten Commandment table. Moses
discovering the fire in the bush: Abb
raham about to sacrifice Isaac; st.
John the Baptist In the desert; the
| Prodigal Son; the expulsion of Adam
and Eve from the Garden OF Eden
Scenes from the life OF Christ In
clude the ann~unciation; the flight in
Ito Egypt; Walking On the Sea;
Christ Teaching Mary; Mary Wash
ing Jesus Feet; Christ Baptized by
st. John. These titles cover only a
portion Of the many pictures. The
artist, f. Bogdan, spent many years
studying mural painting in Europe
and has medals from the Royal Acad-
envy, st. Petersburg, Russia. On
finishing his work here he will go to
Baltimore, where he Is about to close
q contract for church decoration.
SIZES A TURK FOR JEWELS.