A mosiac of Emperor Justinian located inside San Vitale.
We have been studying the Byzantine Empire in our history books. We have read about Constantine and Justinian. We have been looking at photographs of the Hagia Sophia and the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, as well as other beautiful examples of Byzantine art and architecture. We have also been discussing the Orthodox church and trying to arrange a tour of the Orthodox Cathedral in Milwaukee.
Anyways, I picked up a book called The Miracle of Saint Nicholas at the library. I was expecting a story about the first Santa and some gold coins (right?), but it was about the persecution of Christians in communist Russia (a little too heavy for juvenile fiction? maybe?) and how faithful townspeople restored their church after the fall of communism. Snuggled under blankets on the couch, the girls and I had a remarkable conversation about freedom, government, and personal character in the face of adversity. It was one of those moments that makes me so thankful that we homeschool. What 5 and 7 year olds would receive that kind of education in the classroom?
2 comments:
We read the same book, what, last year? Two years ago? I really should be better about requesting books from the library that fit in with our history studies.
My favorite fun fact (or at least church tradition) about St. Nikolas, is that he got son angry with Arius’ denial of the divinity of Christ that he slapped Arius across the face at the Council Nicea.
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=712
Post a Comment