The Pieta by Michelangelo The Pieta by Michelangelo Shop our Religious Pieta Gallery. The Pieta, which depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of her son Jesus Christ after his death, has been created in many different forms by various painters and sculptors. Of all the great paintings and sculptures on the Pieta, however, the one by Michelangelo stands out from all the rest. Prior to sculpting the Pieta, Michelangelo was relatively unknown to the world as an artist. He was only in his early twenties when he was commissioned in 1498 to do a life-size sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding her son in her arms. It would be the first of four that he would create and the only one he completely finished. It was to be unveiled in St. Peter's Basilica for the Jubilee of 1500. In less than two years Michelangelo carved from a single slab of marble, one of the most magnificent sculptures ever created. His interpretation of the Pieta was far different than ones previously created by other artists. Michelangelo decided to create a youthful, serene and celestial Virgin Mary instead of a broken hearted and somewhat older woman.

When it was unveiled a proud Michelangelo stood by and watched as people admired the beautiful Pieta. However, what was pride quickly turned into anger as he overheard a group of people attributing the work to other artists of his time. That anger caused Michelangelo to add one last thing to his sculpture. Going down the sash on the Virgin Mary, Michelangelo carved his name. He later regretted that his emotions got the best of him and vowed to never sign another one of his works again. We hope that you will enjoy our selection of The Pieta by Michelangelo. We have a variety of sizes from which to choose. All of them are imported from Italy and made with exacting standards from bonded carrara marble. Pieta in Art: Image of Virgin Mary Holding Dead Christ Image of Virgin Mary Holding Dead Christ. Pieta (1500) St Peter's Rome. The world's most famous "pieta". Sculpted by Michelangelo at By Luis de Morales (El Devino) Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid. Pieta (1600) and styles, see: History of Art . For chronology, see: History of Art Timeline . What is a Pieta?

In Christian art , "pieta" - the Italian for "pity" or "mercy" - is a depiction of the dead Christ following the descent from the cross, accompanied either by a sorrowful Virgin/Madonna (sometimes with Saint John), or angels. The image may be a sculpture - most often a marble sculpture or a wood carving - or a painting . The most famous Pieta is the sculpture by Michelangelo , which can be seen in St Peter's Basilica , Rome. The Pieta is not unlike the Lamentation of Christ, taken from the Passion, except it is more reflective, and its most common form is one consisting only of the dead Jesus lying on the lap of the Virgin Mary. Indeed, if Christ and the Virgin are surrounded by too many figures, the work can lose its meditative character, and become a Lamentation. Another important difference between a Pieta and a Lamentation, is that while the latter represents a particular biblical scene from Christ's Passion, the former is a timeless image. The Pieta is one of several representations used in Biblical art to depict a grieving Virgin Mary (the Mater Dolorosa).

Another comes from the Stations of the Cross, when the weeping mother meets her son Jesus on the way to his Crucifixion at Calvary. The second is the Stabat Mater (here stands the mother), depicting the Madonna standing beneath the cross, an image often used as part of a large church-crucifix or rood. The intensity of the imagery can vary considerably. Wood-carved Pietas in German Gothic art often emphasise Christ's wounds, and/or the Virgin's grief. However, once the grief becomes too obvious, the work loses its reflective character, and becomes a Lamentation. History of the Pieta The Pieta appears to have originated in Germany (where it is known as the Vesperbild) during the mid to late 13th century era of Gothic art (although equally early examples have been found in Spain and in Orthodox churches in Russia).

Thereafter it spread to Italy in time for the Early Renaissance (c.1400-90), although it was not in widespread use as a form of religious art : witness an entry from the diary of Landucci, a writer, which describes a painting as being of "a seated Madonna, holding the dead Christ in her arms, following the descent from the cross, which some are calling a Pieta." Also, the French Cardinal who commissioned the St Peter's version from Michelangelo, was so unfamiliar with the subject that he insisted on describing the pose required, in the contract. Famous Pietas  Rottgen Pieta (1300) Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn, by unknown carver.  Christ on the Virgin's Knees (c.1350) Munich, by unknown sculptor.  Pieta in limestone (1400) The Cloisters New York, by unknown sculptor.  Dead Christ Attended by Angels (1443) Victoria & Albert, by Donatello .  Pieta (1500) St Peter's Basilica, by Michelangelo.

 Pieta (1500-20) Eglise Saint-Martin, Bayel, by the Master of Chaource. PAINTING  The Avignon Pieta (c.1454-6) Louvre, by Enguerrand Quarton .  Pieta with Saint John and donor (1435) Prado, by Roger van der Weyden .  Christ Upheld by Angels (1460) Staatsgalerie Berlin, by Giovanni Bellini.  Christ Upheld by the Virgin & St John (1468) Brera Milan, by Giovanni Bellini .  Pieta (1490) Uffizi Gallery, by Perugino .  Pieta (c.1560) Prado, by Luis de Morales.  Pieta (c.1570) Accademia Venice, by Titian .  Pieta (1571-6) Philadelphia Museum of Art, by El Greco .  Pieta (1600) Capodimonte Museum Naples, by Annibale Carracci.

 Pieta (1876) Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, by William-Adolphe Bouguereau. Michelangelo's Pieta (1500) A masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture carved in Carrara marble by Michelangelo (1475-1564), it is located in St. Peter's in the Vatican. Commissioned by the French cardinal Jean de Billheres, the work was sculpted as a monument for the cardinal's funeral, but was transferred to its current location in the 18th century. Featuring the body of Jesus being cradled on the lap of his mother Mary after being taken down from the cross, it carefully balances the Renaissance aethetics of beauty and naturalism. Michelangelo's interpretation is noticeably different to those of earlier artists. To begin with, the Virgin is much younger-looking than usual, an appearance Michelangelo created for two reasons: first, God is the source of all beauty and the Virgin is one of the closest to him; second, because her outward beauty is indicative of her inner purity. Another unusual feature is the meditative repose of the Virgin, which contrasts with the more usual grief-stricken figure.

They key lies in her outstretched hand which shows an acceptance of her fate. Michelangelo's meticulous depiction of Christ's anatomy is dazzling: he even shows the distended nature of the veins in Christ's right arm, indicating how recently the blood flowed in his body. For other Christian artworks created for ecclesistical use or personal devotion, see: Diptych (2-panel painting), Triptych (3-panel altarpiece painting or carving) and the large scale polyptych (multi-panel work) used for high altars.  For more about Christian painting and sculpture, see: Homepage .

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ART HISTORY And many more in Catholic Information <table border="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table bgcolor="#497eae" border="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h1 align="center">The Different Images of Mary</h1> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div align="center"> <table border="1" width="650"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div align="center"> <table border="0" width="450"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="justify"> <div align="center"><img src="/v/vspfiles/assets/images/Mother Mary.jpg" style="width: 202px;" /><br /><br /> </div> <p> <em>Though she is known by many names and depictions, she is just one person--she is the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Here, we take a look at the ways she has revealed herself to us, the various interpretations of her through centuries of Catholic artwork, and the significances of each.

<br /> </em> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="15" width="700"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="50%"> <table align="left" border="0" width="145"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="139"> <img src="/v/vspfiles/assets/images/catholicfreeshipping_2223_46869375.jpg" border="0" height="178" width="120" /> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p align="justify"> <strong>Our Lady of Guadalupe</strong> </p> <p align="justify"> This is the image of Mary that miraculously appeared on the cloak of St. Juan Diego in 16th Century Mexico. The symbol-laden apparition recalls the woman in Revelation 12 as well as containing imagery significant to the native Aztecs of the region, calling for their conversion to Catholicism.

This very image is still preserved in the Basilica in Mexico City. </p> </td> <td><img src="/v/vspfiles/assets/images/our-lady-of-lourdes.jpg" style="width: 160px; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" alt="" /><br /><strong style="font-size: 1em; background-color: initial;">Our Lady of Lourdes</strong><br /> <p align="justify"> This depiction of Mary often has her standing in a grotto (or, cave) just as she appeared outside of Lourdes, France, in the mid-19th Century. As described by St. Bernadette, Our Lady carried a Rosary and wore all white, except for the blue belt around her waist and the gold roses on each foot. The water from the spring that St. Bernadette was told to dig supposedly has curative properties.

</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div align="center"> <table border="0" cellspacing="15" width="700"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="/v/vspfiles/assets/images/our-lady-of-fatima.jpeg" alt="" style="float: left; width: 174px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /><br /> <p align="justify"> <strong>Our Lady of Fatima</strong> </p> <p align="justify"> As described by Lucia in the early 20th Century, Mary appeared to her brighter than the sun, radiating beams of light. Our Lady was dressed in a pure white mantle edged with gold, with a Rosary whose beads were like stars and its crucifix the most radiant gem of all. In her message, she encouraged the praying of Rosaries to bring world peace.

</p> </td> <td width="50%"><img src="/v/vspfiles/assets/images/Our Lady of Mount Carmel.jpg" alt="" style="float: left; width: 184px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /><br /> <p align="justify"> <strong>Our Lady of <br /> Mount Carmel</strong> </p> <p align="justify"> This is the name given to the Virgin Mary as the patroness of the Carmelite Order. She is seen dressed in the brown habit of the Order while holding the Carmelite scapular. Tradition has it that she gave the scapular to St. Simon Stock in the 13th Century, promising that whoever dies while wearing it will be saved.

</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#497eae"> <p align="center"> <strong>View Statues and Images of Our Lady in:</strong> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"> <a href=""> Statues of Our Lady</a> - <a href=""> 12" Saint Statues</a> - <a href=""> 24" Saint Statues</a> - <a href=""> Outdoor Statues</a> - <a href=""> Miscellaneous Statues & Fonts</a><br /> <a href=""> Miraculous Medals</a> - <a href=""> Scapulars</a> - <a href=""> Wall Decorations</a> - <a href=""> Icons</a> </p> <p align="center"> And of course, her <a href=""> Holy Rosary</a> and <a href=""> Books on Our Lady</a> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div align="center"> <table

 border="0" cellspacing="15" width="700"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="/v/vspfiles/assets/images/Immaculate heart of mary.jpg" alt="" style="float: left; width: 183px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /><br /> <p align="justify"> <strong>Immaculate Heart <br /> of Mary</strong> </p> <p align="justify"> Mary is shown pointing to her visible heart in this devotional title.

Her heart is usually seen encircled with flowers, topped with a flame and with light glowing from it. It is a testament to her love--for her God, her devotion to her Son, and her mercy for all of us. </p> </td> <td width="50%"><img src="/v/vspfiles/assets/images/Madonna and Child.jpg" alt="" style="float: left; width: 175px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /><br /> <p align="justify"> <strong>Madonna and Child</strong> </p> <p align="justify"> In these varying portrayals, we see Mary carrying the infant Jesus, reminding us of her importance to our Lord as His mother. She gave birth to Him and nourished and raised Him, and remained with Him all the way to His crucifixion.

</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="15" width="700"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="/v/vspfiles/assets/images/Our lady of perpetual help.jpg" alt="" style="float: left; width: 183px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /><br /> <p align="justify"> <strong>Our Lady of <br /> Perpetual Help</strong> </p> <p align="justify"> This is the title given to Mary as seen in this particular Byzantine icon. It is important to note in this that Our Lady is pointing to the infant Jesus, showing that her purpose is to serve Him. Afloat behind them are the Archangels Michael, carrying a lance and sponge, and Gabriel, carrying a cross and nails--reminding us of the crucifixion.

</p> </td> <td width="50%"><img src="/v/vspfiles/assets/images/Pieta.jpg" alt="" style="float: left; width: 223px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /><br /> <p align="justify"> <strong>The Pieta</strong> </p> <p align="justify"> This could refer specifically to the statue by Michelangelo in St. Peter's Basilica, or any representation showing Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus. This image is meant to portray the sorrow Mary felt as the mother of Jesus, and a testament of her devotion to Him even until His death.

</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div align="center"> <table border="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#497eae"> <p align="center"> <strong>Other Resources on Our Lady</strong> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"> <a href=""> How to Pray the Rosary</a> - <a href=""> Catholic Apologetics</a> - <a href=""> A Guide to Catholic Symbols</a> </p> <p align="center"> And many more in <a href=""> Catholic Information</a> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> </div> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Saint Mary - Blessed Virgin Mary - Mother of Jesus Christ Saint Mary - Blessed Virgin Mary - Mother of Jesus Christ Mary (Aramaic, Hebrew: מרים, Maryām, Miriam; Arabic:مريم, Maryam), commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "B

lessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of Jesus", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee.

She is identified in the New Testament and in Islam as the mother of Jesus through divine intervention.[Mt 1:16,18-25] [Lk 1:26-56] [2:1-7] The canonical gospels of Matthew and Luke describe Mary as a virgin (Greek παρθένος, parthénos). Christians and Muslims believe that she conceived her son miraculously by the agency of the Holy Spirit. This took place when she was already betrothed to Saint Joseph and was awaiting the concluding rite of marriage, the formal home-taking ceremony. She married Joseph and accompanied him to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. In keeping with Jewish custom, the betrothal would have taken place when she was around 12, and the birth of Jesus about a year later. The New Testament begins its account of Mary's life with the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and announced her divine selection to be mother of Jesus. Church tradition and early non-biblical writings state that her parents were an elderly couple, Saint Joachim and Saint Anne. The Bible records Mary's role in key events of the life of Jesus from his conception to his Ascension.

Apocryphal writings tell of her subsequent death and bodily assumption into heaven. Christians of the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion believe that Mary, as mother of Jesus, is the Mother of God (Μήτηρ Θεοῦ) and the Theotokos, literally Birthgiver of God. Mary has been an object of veneration in Christianity since the Apostolic Age. Throughout the ages she has been a favorite subject in Christian art, music, and literature. There is significant diversity in the Marian beliefs and devotional practices of major Christian traditions. The Catholic Church has a number of Marian dogmas, such as the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption. Catholics refer to her as Our Lady and venerate her as the Queen of Heaven and Mother of the Church; most Protestants do not share these beliefs. Family and Early life 0f Mary The New Testament tells little of Mary's early history. Early non-biblical writings name her parents as Joachim and Anne.

However, in the canonical New Testament the gospel of Luke suggests that Mary's father to be Heli the son of Matthat, although many argue that the genealogy is of Joseph's family.[Lk 3:23] In Luke 3:23 the words "as was supposed" are used in the King James translation. The Koine Greek preceding the translation "as was supposed" is νομίζω pronounced nom-i-zo meaning practice or consider coming from the root word νόμος pronounced nom'-os meaning law. Here Heli is shown as the father-in-law or according to practice of the law of Joseph, the husband of Mary. This is in staunch contrast to Matthew 1:16 which speaks of Joseph's natural father as being Jacob.

Mary was a relative of Elizabeth, wife of the priest Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah, who was herself part of the lineage of Aaron and so of the tribe of Levi.[16]:p.134 [Lk 1:5] [1:36] In spite of this, some speculate that Mary, like Joseph to whom she was betrothed, was of the House of David and so of the tribe of Judah, and that the genealogy presented in Luke was hers, while Joseph's is given in Matthew. She resided at Nazareth in Galilee, presumably with her parents and during her betrothal-the first stage of a Jewish marriage-the angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of the promised Messiah by conceiving him through the Holy Spirit.

When Joseph was told of her conception in a dream by "an angel of the Lord", he was surprised; but the angel told him to be unafraid and take her as his wife, which Joseph did, thereby formally completing the wedding rites.[Mt 1:18-25] Since the angel Gabriel had told Mary (according to Luke)[1:19] that Elizabeth, having previously been barren, was now miraculously pregnant, Mary hurried to visit Elizabeth, who was living with her husband Zechariah in a city of Judah "in the hill country".[Lk 1:39] Once Mary arrived at the house and greeted Elizabeth, Elizabeth proclaimed Mary as "the mother of [her] Lord", and Mary recited a song of thanksgiving commonly known as the Magnificat from its first word in Latin.[Lk 1:46-56] After three months, Mary returned to her house.[Lk 1:56-57] According to the Gospel of Luke, a decree of the Roman emperor Augustus required that Joseph and his betrothed should proceed to Bethlehem for a census.

While they were there, Mary gave birth to Jesus; but because there was no place for them in the inn, she had to use a manger as a cradle.[16]:p.14 [Lk 2:1ff] After eight days, the boy was circumcised according to Jewish law. He was named Jesus in accordance with the instructions that the "angel of the Lord" had given to Joseph after the Annunciation to Mary.[Mt 1:21] [Lu 1:31] These customary ceremonies were followed by Jesus' presentation to the Lord at the Temple in Jerusalem in accordance with the law for firstborn males, then the visit of the Magi, the family's flight into Egypt, their return after the death of King Herod the Great about 2 or 1 BC and taking up residence in Nazareth. [Mt 2] Mary in the life of Jesus Mary is involved in the only event in Jesus' adolescent life that is recorded in the New Testament. At the age of twelve Jesus, having become separated from his parents on their return journey from the Passover celebration in Jerusalem, was found among the teachers in the temple.

:p.210 [Lk 2:41-52] After Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist and his temptations by the devil in the desert, Mary was present when, at her intercession, Jesus worked his first public miracle during the marriage in Cana by turning water into wine.[Jn 2:1-11] Subsequently there are events when Mary is present along with James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, called Jesus' brothers, and unnamed "sisters". [Mt 1:24-25] [12:46] [13:54-56] [27:56] [Mk 3:31] [6:3] [15:40] [16:1] [Jn 2:12] [7:3-5] [Gal 1:19] [Ac 1:14] These passages have been used to challenge the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary, however both Catholic and Orthodox churches interpret the words commonly translated "brother" and "sister" as actually meaning close relatives (see Perpetual virginity).

There is also an incident in which Jesus is sometimes interpreted as rejecting his family. "And his mother and his brothers arrived, and standing outside, they sent in a message asking for him[Mk 3:21] ... And looking at those who sat in a circle around him, Jesus said, 'These are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother. [3:31-35] Mary is also depicted as being present during the crucifixion standing near "the disciple whom Jesus loved" along with Mary of Clopas and Mary Magdalene,[Jn 19:25-26] to which list Matthew 27:56 adds "the mother of the sons of Zebedee", presumably the Salome mentioned in Mark 15:40. This representation is called a Stabat Mater. Mary, cradling the dead body of her Son, while not recorded in the Gospel accounts, is a common motif in art, called a "pietà" or "pity". After the Ascension of Jesus In Acts 1:26, especially v.

14, Mary is the only one to be mentioned by name other than the twelve apostles and the candidates of about 120 people gathered, after the Ascension, in the Upper Room on the occasion of the election of Matthias to the vacancy of Judas. (Though it is said that "the women" and Jesus' brothers were there as well, their names are not given.) Some also consider the "chosen lady" mentioned in 2 John 1:1 as Mary. From this time, she disappears from the biblical accounts, although it is held by Catholics that she is again portrayed as the heavenly woman of Revelation.[Rev 12:1] Her death is not recorded in scripture. However, Catholic and Orthodox tradition and doctrine have her assumed (taken bodily) into Heaven. Belief in the corporeal assumption of Mary is universal to Catholicism, in both Eastern and Western Catholic Churches, as well as the Eastern Orthodox Church, Coptic Churches, and parts of the Anglican Communion and Continuing Anglican Churches. Later Christian Writings and Traditions According to the apocryphal Gospel of James Mary was the daughter of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne. Before Mary's conception Anna had been barren.

Mary was given to service as a consecrated virgin in the Temple in Jerusalem when she was three years old, much like Hannah took Samuel to the Tabernacle as recorded in the Old Testament. According to Sacred Tradition, Mary died surrounded by the apostles (in either Jerusalem or Ephesus) between three days and 24 years after Christ's ascension. When the apostles later opened her tomb, they found it to be empty and they concluded that she had been assumed into Heaven. Mary's Tomb, an empty tomb in Jerusalem, is attributed to Mary. The Roman Catholic Church teaches Mary's assumption, but does not teach that she necessarily died. The House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus in Turkey is traditionally considered the place where Mary lived until her assumption. The Gospel of John states that Mary went to live with the Disciple whom Jesus loved,[Jn 19:27] identified as John the Evangelist. Irenaeus and Eusebius of Caesarea wrote in their histories that John later went to Ephesus, which may provide the basis for the early belief that Mary also lived in Ephesus with John.

Christian Devotion Christian devotion to Mary goes back to the 2nd century and predates the emergence of a specific Marian liturgical system in the 5th century, following the First Council of Ephesus in 431. The Council itself was held at a church in Ephesus which had been dedicated to Mary about a hundred years before. In Egypt the veneration of Mary had started in the 3rd century and the term Theotokos was used by Origen, the Alexandrian Father of the Church. The earliest known Marian prayer (the Sub tuum praesidium, or Beneath Thy Protection) is from the 3rd century (perhaps 270), and its text was rediscovered in 1917 on a papyrus in Egypt. Following the Edict of Milan in 313, by the 5th century artistic images of Mary began to appear in public and larger churches were being dedicated to Mary, e.g. S. Maria Maggiore in Rome. Over the centuries, devotion and veneration to Mary has varied greatly among Christian traditions.

For instance, while Protestants show scant attention to Marian prayers or devotions, of all the saints whom the Orthodox venerate, the most honored is Mary, who is considered "more honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious than the Seraphim." Orthodox theologian Sergei Bulgakov wrote: "Love and veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the soul of Orthodox piety. A faith in Christ which does not include his mother is another faith, another Christianity from that of the Orthodox church." Although the Catholics and the Orthodox may honor and venerate Mary, they do not view her as divine, nor do they worship her. Catholics view Mary as subordinate to Christ, but uniquely so, in that she is seen as above all other creatures. Similarly Theologian Sergei Bulgakov wrote that although the Orthodox view Mary as "superior to all created beings" and "ceaslessly pray for her intercession" she is not considered a "substitute for the One Mediator" who is Christ. "Let Mary be in honor, but let worship be given to the Lord" he wrote. Similarly, Catholics do not worship Mary, but venerate her.

Catholics use the term hyperdulia for Marian veneration rather than latria that applies to God and dulia for other saints. The definition of the three level hierarchy of latria, hyperdulia and dulia goes back to the Second Council of Nicaea in 787. Devotions to artistic depictions of Mary vary among Christian traditions. There is a long tradition of Roman Catholic Marian art and no image permeates Catholic art as does the image of Madonna and Child. The icon of the Virgin is without doubt the most venerated icon among the Orthodox. Both Roman Catholics and the Orthodox venerate images and icons of Mary, given that the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 permitted their veneration by Catholics with the understanding that those who venerate the image are venerating the reality of the person it represents, and the 842 Synod of Constantinople established the same for the Orthodox. The Orthodox, however, only pray to and venerate flat, two-dimensional icons and not three-dimensional statues.

The Anglican position towards Mary is in general more conciliatory than that of Protestants at large and in a book he wrote about praying with the icons of Mary, Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury said: "It is not only that we cannot understand Mary without seeing her as pointing to Christ; we cannot understand Christ without seeing his attention to Mary". Titles of Mary Titles to honor Mary or ask for her intercession are used by some Christian traditions such as the Eastern Orthodox or Catholics, but not others, e.g. the Protestants. Common titles for Mary include Mother of God (Theotokos), The Blessed Virgin Mary (also abbreviated to "BVM"), Our Lady (Notre Dame, Nuestra Señora, Nossa Senhora, Madonna) and the Queen of Heaven (Regina Caeli). Mary is referred to by the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, the Anglican Church, and all Eastern Catholic Churches as Theotokos, a title recognized at the Third Ecumenical Council (held at Ephesus to address the teachings of Nestorius, in 431).

Theotokos (and its Latin equivalents, "Deipara" and "Dei genetrix") literally means "Godbearer". The equivalent phrase "Mater Dei", (Mother of God) is more common in Latin and so also in the other languages used in the Western Catholic Church, but this same phrase in Greek (Μήτηρ Θεοῦ), in the abbreviated form of the first and last letter of the two words (ΜΡ ΘΥ), is the indication attached to her image in Byzantine icons. The Council stated that the Church Fathers "did not hesitate to speak of the holy Virgin as the Mother of God". Some titles have a Biblical basis, for instance the title Queen Mother has been given to Mary since she was the mother of Jesus, who was sometimes referred to as the "King of Kings" due to his lineage of King David. The biblical basis for the term Queen can be seen in the Gospel of Luke 1:32 and the Book of Isaiah 9:6, and Queen Mother from 1 Kings 2:19-20 and Jeremiah 13:18-19.

Other titles have arisen from reported miracles, special appeals or occasions for calling on Mary, e.g. Our Lady of Good Counsel, Our Lady of Navigators or Our Lady of Ransom who protects captives. The three main titles for Mary used by the Orthodox are Theotokos, i.e., Mother of God (Greek Θεοτόκος), Aeiparthenos, i.e. Ever Virgin (Greek ἀειπαρθὲνος), as confirmed in the Fifth Ecumenical Council 553, and Panagia, i.e., All Holy (Greek Παναγία). A large number of titles for Mary are used by Roman Catholics, and these titles have in turn given rise to many artistic depictions, e.g. the title Our Lady of Sorrows has resulted in masterpieces such as Michelangelo's Pietà. Marian feast days (includes lists of feast days) The earliest feasts that relate to Mary grew out of the cycle of feasts that celebrated the Nativity of Jesus.

Given that according to the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:22-40), forty days after the birth of Jesus, along with the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple Mary was purified according to Jewish customs, the Feast of the Purification began to be celebrated by the 5th century, and became the "Feast of Simeon" in Byzantium. In the 7th and 8th centuries four more Marian feasts were established in the Eastern Church. In the Western Church a feast dedicated to Mary, just before Christmas was celebrated in the Churches of Milan and Ravenna in Italy in the 7th century. The four Roman Marian feasts of Purification, Annunciation, Assumption and Nativity of Mary were gradually and sporadically introduced into England by the 11th century. Over time, the number and nature of feasts (and the associated Titles of Mary) and the venerative practices that accompany them have varied a great deal among diverse Christian traditions. Overall, there are significantly more titles, feasts and venerative Marian practices among Roman Catholics than any other Christians traditions. Some such feasts relate to specific events, e.g.

the Feast of Our Lady of Victory was based on the 1571 victory of the Papal States in the Battle of Lepanto. Differences in feasts may also originate from doctrinal issues - the Feast of the Assumption is such an example. Given that there is no agreement among all Christians on the circumstances of the death, Dormition or Assumption of Mary, the feast of assumption is celebrated among some denominations and not others. While the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, some Eastern Catholics celebrate it as Dormition of the Theotokos, and may do so on August 28, if they follow the Julian calendar. The Eastern Orthodox also celebrate it as the Dormition of the Theotokos, one of their 12 Great Feasts. Protestants do not celebrate this, or any other Marian feasts. Christian Doctrines There is significant diversity in the Marian doctrines accepted by various Christian churches. The key Marian doctrines held in Christianity can be briefly outlined as follows: * Mother of God: holds that Mary, as mother of Jesus is therefore Theotokos (God-bearer), or Mother of God.

* Virgin birth of Jesus: states that Mary miraculously conceived Jesus by action of the Holy Spirit while remaining a virgin. * Dormition: the Orthodox understanding of the Assumption. * Assumption: the doctrine which states that Mary was taken bodily into Heaven either at, or before, her death. * Immaculate Conception: states that Mary herself was conceived without original sin. * Perpetual Virginity: holds that Mary remained a virgin all her life, even after the act of giving birth to Jesus. JESUS LIFTED DOWN FROM THE CROSS: famous paintings Jesus ' friends pried his dead body off the cross and lowered it into the arms of his mother Mary , and into the care of the disciples, mostly women, who waited on the slopes of Golgotha.

The 'Pieta' by Michelangelo 'Descent from the Cross', Rogier Weyden Note that this German painting was done at the height of World War I, with Christ opening his arms to suffering humanity 'Descent from the Cross', Jean Jouvenet 'Descent from the Cross', Pieter Coeck van Aelst 'Descent from the Cross', Charles Le Bru n 'The Descent from the Cross', Tintoretto Tintoretto presented the people in his paintings as individuals, capturing the moment as they experienced it. The descent from the cross was no longer a tableau with static figures, as it had been in Botticelli's paintings. Look at Mary's face. Unlike Jesus, she is still living, and suffering terribly. Her eyes have seen more than a mother can endure, and she has retreated into a semi-conscious state.

'The Descent from the Cross', Peter Paul Rubens, 1612 'The Descent from the Cross', James Tissot 'Descent from the Cross', Peter Paul Rubens 'Deposition from the Cross', Pontormo Custom Search Hidden meanings in paintings of the Descent from the Cross Joseph of Arimathaea, a rich and respected member of the Sanhedrin - the Jewish legislative council in Jerusalem - and secretly a disciple, obtained permission from Pilate, the Roman governor, to take the body of Christ from the cross. He brought a linen sheet and together with Nicodemus who brought myrrh and aloes to preserve the body, took it down from the cross. We see the nails being removed from the body, or the body being lowered from the cross. There are usually four people involved: Nicodemus with pincers drawing the nail from the left hand, Joseph taking the weight of the body, Mary holding the right hand which is already free, and the apostle John standing sorrowfully a little apart.

From the 16th century and especially in later painting of the Spanish Netherlands the cross is viewed aslant, there are often four ladders, and two unidentified men lean over the cross-bar lowering the body to Joseph and Nicodemus. Mary Magdalene kneels, and there is a third woman, Mary the wife of Clopas. The instruments of the Passion lie on the ground: the crown of thorns, nails, and sometimes the inscripion and sponge. The body may be lowered to the ground by sliding it down a long winding-sheet. Joseph and Nicodemus can be distinguished by their dress. The former is richly clad, in contrast to the latter who is of more lowly appearance. In supporting the body Joseph takes the upper part, Nicodemus the lower. St John is of youthful appearance, often long-haired. Prior to the Counter- Reformation the Virgin is sometimes seen swooning into the arms of her companions, but in later works she stands, perhaps clasping her hands. Mary Magdalene, important in the Counter-Reformation as an example of Christian repentance, is a major figure.She is richly dressed and may wipe Jesus' feet with her luxuriant hair.

The Bible text : Christ is taken down from the Cross Matthew 27:57-58 57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathe'a, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. Mark 15:42-46 42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathe'a, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph.

46 And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Luke 23: 50-54 50 Now there was a man named Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathe'a. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their purpose and deed, and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. John 19:38-40 38 After this Joseph of Arimathe'a, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body.

39 Nicode'mus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds' weight. 40 They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

Question: What name is given to a depiction of Mary holding the dead body of Christ?
Answer: Pieta