Re: Re: reorganisation and destruction of irish catholic churches

The greatest treasure of St. Bavo’s cathedral in Ghent is Jan van Eyck’s Adoration of Lamb which was installed there on 6 May 1432, having been commissioned by vice-burgomeister of Ghent, Jodocus Vijd and his wife Elisabeth Borluut. This picture tells us much about how liturgy should be understood. It represents the communion of saints, the new heaven and the new earth, mentioned in St. John’s Revelations. The lowe tier portrays the saints symbolizing the eight Beatitudes gathered around thealtar where the sacrifice of the Lamb take place, at the centre of the heavenly garden which has sprung from his side. To the lestf and right are two processions: one made up of the prophets of the Old Testament; the other made up of figures from the New Tastament. All are organized according to hierarchy. IN the background, two further processions appear. These are the Confessors of Faith on the left, and the Virgin Martyrs on the Right. In the centre. the Lamb is surrounded by angels holding the instruments of the Passion. All of the texts undelying this icon are those used for the Mass of All Saints Day.