Relics and the Romanesque Churches sample essay

During the 11th and 12th centuries, the number of pilgrims and monks rapidly grew, there appeared the need for bigger and more capacious churches. Throughout Europe architects recalled earlier style of architecture, the style of great Roman Empire. Hence the name of the art movement, Romanesque.

The major characteristic of Romanesque churches was the size. Because the number of worshippers grew, these Romanesque churches had to be much bigger. In turn, the building material had to be much tougher, and architect were indeed challenged to construct a huge, heavy-looking, but very simple and beautiful style.

Relics were inseparable from Romanesque churches. In fact, at those times relics were inseparable from Christianity at large. During 11th – 12th century, increased number of monks and pilgrims resulted in extreme popularity of relics. Romanesque churches, in turn, were most suitable sanctuaries for relics, so that believers could come see them, and worship them; they were kept in the chapels around the apses of sanctuaries. The increase of popularity of relics is not only associated with the growing pilgrimage. Christians believe that relics possess enormous power to sanctify, purify, and cure.

Even now Christians honor and worship relics. Remains of Holy people and Saints still play a big role in Christianity, especially in Orthodox Christianity. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, for example, still keeps relics of over fifty Orthodox Saints, which are extremely popular in Orthodox world. Many people all over the world come to worship them, which means that relics are honored even today.

Bibliography

1. Relics. 2005. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relics

2. Caves in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. 2004. From the official web-site of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra monastery at http://www.lavra.kiev.ua/en/main.php?id=94

3. Western Art History: Romanesque. 2005. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_art_history#Romanesque
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