The meaning of INRI on the cross of Jesus: where does it come from and what does this mysterious abbreviation that appears in all depictions of Jesus on the cross mean? And what is the meaning of the name Jesus?

Each one of us, attending churches and places of worship, but also leafing through art history books showing depictions of the Crucifixion, has happened to dwell on the plaque placed on the cross, usually just above Jesus’ head. In this case it is not a prerogative of Christ’s crucifixion and has no particular religious explanation. Instead, the significance of INRI on the cross is to be found in Roman law, which prescribed, in the case of a death sentence by crucifixion, a very precise set of regulations.

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Jesus on the cross with Mary at his feet scene 9 cm

Jesus on the cross statue with Mary at his feet scene 9 cm. The statue depicts the moment of Jesus’s crucifixion…

We have to think that in the days of Republican Rome only slaves, prisoners of war, and insurgents were executed in this way. Crucifixion was considered a particularly execrable sentence because the body was exposed for days along the road, at the mercy of the sun, bad weather, and animals. Later, in imperial times, it was decided to extend this type of condemnation to free men as well. Those who were sentenced to crucifixion were brutally whipped, before the actual execution was carried out: the whippings were meant to reduce them to death, but not to kill them, because death was to take place on the cross. And so that this sentence would be a warning to all, the judge would dictate a titulus, the reason for the sentence, which would be engraved on a wooden or terracotta sign and hung around the neck of the condemned man, along with his name.

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Jesus condemned to death statues 9 cm

Jesus condemned to death statues 9 cm. Statue depicting the scene of people condemning Jesus Christ to death…

This was also the case for Jesus. The meaning of INRI on the cross is the Titulus crucis that Pontius Pilate decreed for Christ when condemning Him to death, as the reason for the sentence.

But what does INRI mean? INRI stands for ‘Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum,’ ‘Jesus Nazarene King of the Jews.’

The inscription INRI is reported differently in the four canonical gospels.

Mark’s Gospel concerning the plaque placed on Jesus’ head reads only, “The inscription indicating the reason for condemnation said, The King of the Jews” (Mark 15:26) Matthew writes, “Above his head they placed the written reason for his condemnation: ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews'” (Matthew 27:37). In Luke’s Gospel, on the other hand, we read, “There was also an inscription above his head: ‘This is the King of the Jews'” (Luke 23:38)

The Gospel of John presents a particular interpretation. On occasions of solemn events the titulus was even written in three languages. In John’s Gospel it is written that this was also the case for the death of Jesus, and that Pilate wanted to mock Christ by having the titulus written in three languages: “Meanwhile Pilate also had the title written, which said the cause of condemnation, and had it placed on the cross. It was written there, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.’ Now many of the Jews read this inscription, the place where Jesus was crucified being near the city. And it was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. Therefore said the great Priests of the Jews to Pilate, ‘Do not write, King of the Jews; but that he said, I am the King of the Jews.’ ‘ Pilate answered, ‘What I have written, I have written.’” (Jn. 19:19-22).

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Flagellation of Jesus statue, Passion of Christ 9 cm

Flagellation of Jesus statue, Passion of Christ 9 cm. The statue depicts the Flagellation of Jesus Christ…

On crucifixes in Orthodox Churches the inscription is not INRI, but INBI, from the Greek Ἰησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος ὁ Bασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων, Ihsous Nazoraios Basileus ton Ioudaion, Jesus Nazarene King of the Jews.

A walnut wood panel in Rome is considered to be the original plaque affixed to the cross of Jesus. It is kept in the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, where once stood the palace of Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, who had collected many relics of the Passion. It is difficult to prove the veracity of this plaque, which was found in the 15th century during restoration work on the choir, ceiling and apse fresco. In a niche a lead box was found that contained a terracotta table, with the inscription “TITULUS CRUCIS” and the initial part of inscriptions in Greek, Latin and Hebrew. Legend has it that it was St. Helena herself who brought part of the tablet to Rome along with the three crosses found on Golgotha and the nails of the crucifixion.

The name of Jesus in the Hebrew language

According to the Gospel of John, Pilate had Jesus’ titulus crucis written in three languages. Connecting with the writing in Hebrew, let us dwell for a moment on the meaning of Jesus’ name in the Hebrew language. The Aramaic name “Yeshu” is the transliteration of יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshu’a), and is pronounced “Yeh-shoo,” without the “a.” The Italian equivalent is Joshua, of which Jesus is an alternate form, and it means “YHWH (God) is salvation.” When the Bible was translated into Greek and then Latin the name was rendered as Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs) and later Iesus. The name Yehoshùa was quite common in the times recounted in the Gospels. Even in the genealogy of Jesus (Lk 3:27) we find another Jesus his ancestor. Besides Jesus in the Bible we meet Joshua, precisely, the leader who led the people of Israel after the death of Moses. St. Paul had a trusted co-worker named Jesús (Col 4:11).

Jesus’ name is one with His mission, with His destiny. When the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, He told him about Mary, “She shall bring forth a son, and you shall call Him Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).  In the original Greek text, the name mentioned by the angel is Ỉησοῦν, Iesùn, in the Hebrew texts ישוע (Yeshùa). The Hebrew phrase read, “you shall call him Yèshùa for he will save his people,” and here in the phrase we find the interpretation of the name: Yeshùa, “Yah will save,” where Yah is the abbreviation of God’s name (“Yah [יה] is my strength,” Ex 15:2) and shùa means “salvation.”

Meta description: We discover the meaning of INRI on the cross of Jesus and how in the very name of Christ in Hebrew is already enshrined the ultimate meaning of His coming into the world.

February 15 celebrates St. Faustinus, the patron saint of singles in spite of himself. Let’s find out why

We are all familiar with Valentine’s Day, the day of lovers, which falls on February 14. Perhaps not everyone knows, however, that February 15 is the day dedicated to singles, to those who are lonely and looking for a soul mate, the love of their life. The patron saint of this day is St. Faustinus, a young Roman knight who was imprisoned, tortured, and suffered martyrdom under Emperor Hadrian. As with St. Valentine, it is not in the end of this saint that we should look for the origins of his patronage as much as in his life and name. In fact, it seems that St. Faustinus, besides being a valiant horseman, was particularly good at helping unmarried young women find husbands, even despite their meager dowry.

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St. Valentine’s Day

a wide selection of articles and gift ideas to celebrate this special day with your loved one.

Let’s see who this saint was and how the tradition of the Feb. 15 feast of singles came about.

The story of St. Faustinus and Jovita

Actually, one cannot talk about St. Faustinus without also talking about his brother, Jovita. The two were born in Brescia, Italy, in the second century AD, and like many of their young peers belonging to the nobility they embarked on a military career. They both became knights, demonstrating great bravery and military prowess, so much so that iconography has never ceased to depict them wearing Roman military garb while holding a sword. Their lives changed drastically when they met St. Apollonius, bishop of Brescia. The holy man won them over with his personality and converted them, leading them both to Baptism. Not only that: impressed by their oratorical skills and their abilities as preachers, he encouraged both to set out on the path of evangelization, appointing Faustinus a presbyter and Jovita a deacon. This is how they are depicted in sacred art, as an alternative to military garb.

Unfortunately, these were years of harsh persecution. The Roman nobles of Brescia frowned upon the preaching of the two young men, and they invoked the intervention of Italicus, governor of Rhaetia, to eliminate them to preserve public order.

Undertaking the persecution with the approval of the Emperor Hadrian, Italicus ordered the two knights to sacrifice to the pagan gods, and when they refused, he had them imprisoned. Hadrian himself, returning from his campaign in Gaul, wanted to attend their trial, and again he enjoined them to worship the Sun god. Faustinus and Jovita not only refused, but beat the statue of the idol, and for this blasphemous act Hadrian condemned them to death. Led into the circus they were locked in a cage with some tigers, but lo and behold, instead of attacking them the beasts snuggled at their feet like tame cubs. At that sight many of those present were converted, including Aphra, the governor’s wife. The latter, furious, ordered that the two knights be flayed alive and burned at the stake. But not even the fire dared to touch them, and this new miracle caused further conversions. Transferred to Milan they were imprisoned and tortured, then sent to Rome, and led into the Colosseum, but once again no vicious animal touched them. After further failed execution attempts, the two were brought back to Brescia and beheaded on February 15. They are patrons of the city.

The day of singles

Although it is likely that the choice of having St. Faustinu’s Day coincide with the Day of Singles is just a sort of compensation for those who, being alone, cannot celebrate Valentine’s Day the day before, the tradition says that Faustino was a sort of Cupid, very good at getting maidens to find husbands and uniting happy couples for life. Add to this the assonance between St. Faustinus and St. Valentine, but also the etymology of the name Faustinus, which comes from the Latin “faustus,” propitious, bringing good luck. The Romans held in high regard the division of the faustian and nefarious days of each month, considering the latter dangerous because of negative astral influences. In this case, St. Faustine’s Day could be the lucky one for finding a soul mate.

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The sterling silver faith ring is available in different sizes.

Quotes of the saints, spoken and written by men and women who lived in faith, but also in knowledge, culture, art

In addition to works of charity and miracles, it is sometimes appropriate to dwell on the quotes of the saints. Reading the histories of Catholic saints, we realize how they are as varied as ever in terms of origin, social class, and cultural background. In particular, it is interesting to note how, alongside men and women who did not have access to knowledge, there are others who had the opportunity, by birth and heritage, to study and become learned in many branches of culture and art, science and medicine. So much so that some saints are also remembered as excellent poets and writers, even composers of music. Some then excelled in all fields, such as St. Hildegard of Bingen, who was a healer, herbalist, naturalist, cosmologist, philosopher, artist, poet, playwright, musician, linguist and political adviser. Others, like St. Catherine of Siena, although from humble beginnings, were excellent self-taught. St. Catherine was able to learn to read and write on her own, so much so that she became a distinguished theologian and philosopher. We then think of the many brotherhoods of monks, the merit they had in the preservation and dissemination of culture, also contributing extraordinary inventions to lay the foundations for modern technological development.

St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures, one of the oldest texts in Italian literature, is also considered a splendid love poem, as well as an immortal prayer. As for St. Augustine, his Confessions can be considered a true author’s novel, because of the richness of language, the skillfully used rhetorical figures, as well as the grace in the narration and the profound knowledge of the Holy Scriptures.

Here, is a roundup of phrases from saints and blessed famous for their eloquence and ability to use words in a way that reaches people’s hearts and souls. These are phrases about love, faith, family, joy, death. In our shop you will find a plethora of articles dedicated to each of these extraordinary men and women.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s Quotes

• If you judge people, you will not have time to love them.
• Each man has fullness of good as well as fullness of evil in himself.
• The less we have, the more we give. It sounds absurd; however, this is the logic of love.
• We will never know how much good a simple smile can do.
• Love, to be true, must cost effort, must hurt, must empty us of our self.
• What we do is just a drop in the ocean, but if we didn’t do it the ocean would have one less drop.
• Joy is very contagious; therefore, always be full of joy.
• It is not enough to say, “I love God.” I must also love my neighbor.
• Every work of love done from the heart brings one closer to God.
• It is not so much what we give, but how much love we put into giving.

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Mother Therese of Calcutta statue made of wood ash woos This statue features Mother Therese of Calcutta smiling…

St. John Bosco’s Quotes

• Walk with your feet on the ground and with your heart dwell in heaven.
• Joy is the most beautiful creature that came out of God’s hands after love.
• The devil is afraid of cheerful people.
• Do not send to tomorrow the good you can do today, for you may not have time tomorrow.
• No sermon is more edifying than good example.
• If you want to make yourself good, practice these three things and all will be well: cheerfulness, study, godliness. This is the great program, which by practicing, you will live happily, and do much good to your soul.
• The thorns that prick us in time will be flowers for eternity.
• Be with God like the bird that feels the branch trembling and keeps singing, knowing it has wings.
• Confess as if your confession were the last in life.
• Charity knows no diversity of races, no distance of places.

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St. Francis’ Quotes

• Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible. And suddenly you will catch yourself doing the impossible.
• If I met a priest and an Angel, I would greet the priest first and then the Angel.
• Preach the Gospel, and if it is really necessary use words as well.
• Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me bring love.
• For a brother’s sin do not be angry with him but admonish and comfort him with all patience and humility.
• It is in giving that we receive.
• It is in forgiving that we are forgiven.
• Where it is hatred, let me bring love. Where it is offense, let me bring forgiveness. Where it is discord, let me bring union. Where it is doubt, let me bring faith. Where it is error, let me bring truth. Where it is despair, let me bring hope. Where it is sadness, let me bring joy. Where it is darkness, let me bring light.
• All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.

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St. Augustine’s Quotes

• Love and do what you will.
• To err is human, but to persevere is diabolical.
• The measure of love is to love without measure.
• If I err, I exist.
• Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear.
• The simulation of humility is worse than pride.
• If you can, understand; if you can’t, believe.
• My God, I was looking for you outside and you were inside!
• Better to limp on the right road than to run on the wrong road.
• Those we love and have lost are no longer where they were, but are wherever we are.

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Padre Pio’s Quotes

• Every day is one more day to love, one more day to dream, one more day to live.
• Love forgets everything, forgives everything, gives everything without reservation.
• Life is a struggle from which we cannot retreat.
• Let us abandon ourselves like children in the arms of Heavenly Mother.
• Peace of spirit can be maintained even amid all the storms of life.
• The more darkness grows, the closer God is.
• God chastises us because He loves us.
• The first virtue needed by the soul striving for perfection is Charity.
• Only those who have used mercy will obtain mercy from God.
• Where there is no obedience there is no virtue.

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St Father Pio of Pietralcina wooden statue made in Val Gardena Italy…

St. Paul’s Quotes

• Faith moves mountains.
• Charity is patient, charity is benign; charity is not envious, it does not boast, it does not puff itself up, it does not disrespect, it does not seek its own interest, it does not become angry, it does not consider the evil received, it does not enjoy injustice, but rejoices in the truth. Everything covers, everything believes, everything hopes, everything endures.
• We are tribulated on every side, but not crushed; we are upset, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not killed.
• Above all let there be charity, which is the bond of perfection.
• We eat and we drink, tomorrow death will come anyway.
• These then are the three things that remain: faith, hope and charity; but of all the greatest is charity!
• When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruption and this mortal body with immortality, the word of Scripture will be fulfilled: Death has been swallowed up for victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?
• Make no mistake about it; God cannot be mocked. Each one will reap what he has sown. He who sows in his flesh, from the flesh he will reap corruption; he who sows in the Spirit, from the Spirit he will reap eternal life.
• Husbands have a duty to love their wives as their own bodies, for he who loves his wife loves himself.
• Children are children, and children deal with children’s things.

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Saint Paul 12cm with image and prayer in Italian.

St. Francis of Paola’s Quotes

• Everything by love, and nothing by force.
• The body of the Virgins seems to be composed of the same matter, of which the sun and the stars are composed.
• Charity is sacred mine of the gold of graces, and virtues.
• To those who love God all things are possible.
• The true servant of God feeds on the bread of tribulation, and the water of tears.
• No one should judge others, but only himself, always interpreting others’ deeds to the best part.
• Perseverance is the crown of virtue.
• He who recklessly judges, condemns himself.
• Nothing is lacking to those who have the fear of God.
• Go purify your house, that is, your conscience, and then return.

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Saint Francis of Paola tapestry 40×30 cm. Tapestry in jacquard fabric finished by hand, entirely made in Italy.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux’ Quotes

• Oh, blessed solitude, bliss alone!
• Our progress consists not in presuming to have arrived but in continually striving toward the goal.
• You will find more in the woods than in books. The trees and rocks will teach you things that no teacher will tell you.
• You have in you the One you seek outside yourself.
• Mary was a rose, white for her virginity, vermilion for charity.
• In order for you to have a heart that grieves for the miseries of others, you must first recognize your own misery so as to find in your soul that of your neighbor, and learn from the depths of yourself how to succor him, after the example of the Savior, who was willing to suffer in order to pity.
• Give me continually to suffer so that you may always be beside me.
• You will find more in the woods than in books. The trees and rocks will teach you things that no teacher will tell you.
• What is avarice? Living in poverty out of fear of poverty.
• Impunity causes recklessness, and this opens the way to every excess.

St. Thomas Aquinas Quotes

• There can be no joy in life without the joy of work.
• Nothing is in the mind that has not first been in the senses.
• To love is to want the good of someone.
• It is required for the relaxation of the mind that we make use of joking resolutions and jokes from time to time.
• True friends rejoice and are saddened by the same things.
• Good can exist without evil, where evil cannot exist without good.
• In God are found the perfections of all things.
• An evil law is not a law.
• Perfect bliss is natural only for God, for whom being and being blessed are the same thing. For all creatures, on the other hand, being blissful is not part of their nature, but is their ultimate end.
• Self-love is the cause of all sins.

A symbol of God’s presence in every church, the Blessed Sacrament needs a special lamp that is perpetually lit. It is the lamp for the Blessed Sacrament

What happens to consecrated hosts that are not consumed during Mass? We are talking about the hosts that were the object of the Eucharistic consecration, and thanks to transubstantiation have become to all intents and purposes “the body and blood of Christ.” Well, they are placed in a pyx, a sacred cup closed by a lid and a veil, which is placed in the tabernacle, a special structure found in every church, intended solely to hold the precious species of the sacrament (bread and wine), and in particular the consecrated host: the Blessed Sacrament. The tabernacle is usually placed in a part of the church or oratory, covered with a veil of the color of the current Liturgical Season, and in front of it a lamp must always remain lit: the lamp for the Blessed Sacrament. It is precisely this lamp that we want to focus on today, since it is, in addition to one of the indispensable liturgical accessories in a church, the visible manifestation of the presence of the consecrated bread and consequently of Jesus in the church.

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Tabernacles

More than fifty tabernacles in brass, bronze, silver and even gold tabernacles.

The Blessed Sacrament

Besides being used for the next Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is taken from the tabernacle, placed in a monstrance, and used for expositions of the Blessed Sacrament, during which Eucharistic adoration, the special prayer intended solely for it, is practiced. The adoration of the Blessed Sacrament means we direct our prayers and attention to the tabernacle that holds within it this precious liturgical symbol, a witness to the presence of Jesus in every church.

But how should the Eucharistic lamp be made? Usually, it is a glass container inside which a candle or oil lamp is placed, which must burn continuously. The container can be transparent or red, and the candle, or the oil in the lamp, must ensure that the flame will burn for at least seven days. No maintenance will be required, and under no circumstances will it be necessary to turn the lamp off in the evening and turn it back on in the morning. Therefore, it is very important to choose quality products that really guarantee the durability and reliability indicated on the package.

Tips for proper use of the Eucharistic Lamp

The glass container, which can be a simple glass, or something much more elaborate, should also be chosen not only for its decorative function, but also for its ability to protect the flame from air displacement and allow it to burn properly, without excessive oscillations and without igniting anything. One tip, if you use pillar candles, is to pour a little water into the bottom of the glass or container, to make it easier to clean up wax residue when replacing it or when it is needed. It is also a good idea to leave the candle wrapped in the plastic or cellophane inside which it is sold, again to make it easier to collect the leftover wax. Simply wait until the wax left at the bottom of the plastic container has cooled and re-solidified before proceeding with replacement and disposal.

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Sanctuary lamps and candles

Accessories and lamps of different styles and material.

What pillar candles are best to use?

On our store you will find candles, and pillar candles of all kinds, from votive candles to Easter candles, to altar candles, as well as all the liturgy accessories essential in every place of worship. Our candles can be made of beeswax or vegetable wax, as well as kerosene wax. Not only that, but you will also find liquid wax and lamps to burn it, as well as lamps for the Blessed Sacrament in all shapes and materials, from brass hanging lamps to hang from the ceiling or from the appropriate hooks to wood or brass stem lamps, to those that can be fixed to the wall.

Holyart Blessed Sacrament pillar candles are available in beeswax or vegetable wax, packaged in red or white PVC containers decorated with the symbol of the Monstrance and the inscription IHS, in some cases complete with a metal flame breaker grate. They burn completely and evenly in both summer and winter. The shelf life of the pillar candles ranges from 2 to 9 days depending on the model chosen, and the PVC container allows for the collection of any wax residue, making the pillar candles suitable for both liturgical services and risk-free home use.

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Lamp liquid wax

Recycle DIY candle wax? An idea for savings, but also a creative game. Let’s discover how to make candles

An article on how to recycle candles? It’s the right time of the year! After Christmas, you will surely find many wax “leftovers” at home, perfect for creating personalised and unique DIY candles! Candles are a must-have during the holiday season. Their pulsating light warms the home and hearts, making everything more magical and intimate. Light has always contained precious symbolic meanings for mankind, and in particular for Christians, who see in it the first manifestation of God’s will (“And God said: Fiat lux!, let there be light. And there was light”, Gen 1:3) and identify Jesus as the “light that brightens the world”. A round candle decorated with red berries, bows, Christmas balls, sugar sticks, natural pine cones or painted gold or silver will become a perfect centrepiece for the Christmas table. But what happens when the holidays are over? In this article, we want to suggest how to reuse the wax from candles used during the holidays to create new DIY candles.

All you have to do is collect the advanced centrepiece candles, the Advent candles that have not been completely burned, and get empty containers to use as moulds: jars, cups, glasses, and everything that imagination suggests. Here’s how to make candles at home, to start the new year with savings, recycling and creativity!

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Coloured Tealight glass

Coloured Tealight glass, wind-proof. Suitable for the standard Tealight 12 gr.

How to melt wax

First of all, let’s learn how to melt wax. A seemingly trivial operation, but it is better to use some tricks to avoid getting burned and ruining something. Few things are as obnoxious to remove as melted wax! For this reason, it is better not to use the stove at home to melt it, but to get an electric plate or a field stove, to avoid nasty surprises. Before melting, the candles and wax must be cut into pieces. A trick to facilitate this step and leave them in the freezer for a quarter of an hour, or twenty minutes: they will become fragile and easily reduced to flakes.

Also concerning saucepans, use old ones, intended only for this new use. Moreover, get wooden ladles to keep stirring the wax and keep it liquid. If you use different saucepans, you can dissolve the melt in different colours separately, and then mix them to create evocative effects. You can also use pans equipped with a spout, to facilitate the transfer of molten wax, and cover the inner walls with tinfoil to limit damage.

Before placing the wax, heat two fingers of water in the saucepan, bringing it to a boil. Then add the wax, which will be kept more fluid with this technique. The wax must melt completely but remain at a temperature below 175°. You can also colour the wax using colourings and add scents with essential oils or better yet with orange or lemon peels, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and so on. In addition to making the wax fragrant, homemade candles will also be decorated originally.

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Liquid wax colourings

Colourings for liquid wax, every single bottle of colour is sufficient to colour 1 litre wax.

While the wax melts, take the container you have chosen and glue the wick to the bottom, insert it into its metal base. You can use any type of strong glue. Attach the lanyard so that it is perpendicular to the container using a pencil, clip, or stick.

Pour the liquid wax into the container, layer after layer, to avoid irregularities or depressions on the surface. Each layer will take about 4 hours to dry, and you can make layers with different colours, or keep the same. When even the last layer is dry your candle will be ready! To speed up the drying and cooling of the wax, you can immerse the container in cold water. When the candle is dry you can easily extract it from the container you used as a mould.

DIY scented candles with essential oils

We have mentioned the possibility of creating scented candles, using what you have at home (citrus peels, spices) or scented essential oils. A DIY scented candle can be a very original gift for both Christmas parties and any other occasion. But where to buy scented oils to make scented candles? In our online store, you will find excellent ones, mostly produced in the monastery of Camaldoli, such as 100% pure True Lavender Essential Oil, made by the Ancient Pharmacy of the Camaldolese Monks with ingredients of completely organic origin and from controlled biodynamic crops. Its relaxing scent will be a cure-all for moments of calm and rest.
Aromatic Argan Oil with Soybean Oil Protein and Jojoba Oil is also produced in Camaldoli, and has a fresh and revitalising scent. If, on the other hand, you love intense, fresh and citrus aromas, Bitter Orange Essential Oil is the one for you, for DIY candles that will keep the whole atmosphere of the Holidays alive in your home.

Lavender Bio Cosmos essential Oil 10 ml Camaldoli
Buy on Holyart

Aromatic Argan oil, skin oil, Camaldoli
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Bitter orange Essential Oil 10 ml Camaldoli
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The fleeing to Egypt is an episode from Jesus’ childhood. Between history and faith here is the Savior’s first journey

Not all the canonical Gospels recount the early days of Jesus’ life in a precise and timely manner. For example, we saw how only Luke in his Gospel (Luke 2:8-14) dwelt on the Adoration of the shepherds. Instead, in this article we discuss the escape into Egypt, another salient episode immediately following the Nativity, which features the Holy Family as protagonists, but which is reported only by the Gospel according to Matthew (Matt. 2:13-23).

The story is familiar to all: the Magi went to King Herod the Great, father of that Herod Antipas, future Tetrarch of Galilee, who would one day be responsible for the execution of John the Baptist. They are looking for the King of the Jews, whose coming was announced to them by a miraculous Comet Star. Alarmed by that announcement, Herod interrogates priests and scribes to find out where this legendary child was born and discovering that the place is Bethlehem sends the Three Kings there to learn more.

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Three Kings, 3 nativity figurines, 12cm Moranduzzo

These nativity figurines are part of the Moranduzzo collection and they are made of PVC.

The three Magi go to the cave where the baby Jesus rests in the manger, offer him gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and prostrate themselves to worship him as a king. Then, warned in a dream by an angel not to return to Herod, they turn their steps homeward. Also in a dream, an angel also appears to Joseph, enjoining him to flee to Egypt because Herod wants Jesus dead. So Joseph and Mary set out again, taking the Savior to safety.

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Nativity scene and Flight into Egypt, Holy Land olive tree 20×10 cm

Nativity scene and Flight into Egypt, Holy Land olive tree.

The story of the Holy Family’s journey to Egypt, however, has a tragic ending: Herod, furious at the betrayal of the Magi and obsessed with the purpose of killing the little King, unleashes his soldiers against all the newborn babies in Bethlehem. It is the episode sadly known as the Massacre of the Innocents.

Both the Escape to Egypt and the Massacre of the Innocents have inspired artists of all times. For the first episode, think of Giotto’s fresco in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, or Caravaggio’s masterpiece; for the latter, think of Domenico Ghirlandaio’s fresco in the basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, or the works of Guido Reni or Beato Angelico. The two events are also told in the tales of the Life of the Virgin and the Life of Christ.

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Tapestry inspired by Giotto’s Flee from Egypt 90x130cm

Produced in Tuscany (Italy) with a modern Jacquard loom.

Only after the massacre of the innocents and the death of Herod the Great did Joseph and his family return to Nazareth. Luke in his Gospel completely ignores these events, making the Holy Family return to Nazareth immediately after Jesus’ circumcision and Mary’s purification rites in Jerusalem, about a month after the Nativity.

Re-reading the story of the Holy Family‘s Escape to Egypt and the Massacre of the Innocents, it is inevitable to think of the plight of refugees and migrants fleeing their countries, of refugees and asylum seekers seeking safety from war and violence, only to find themselves often rejected, persecuted, enslaved by the very people who should have been helping them. Yet God is with all of them, as he was with Joseph and Mary, he is close to those who suffer and seek a place to live in peace, with dignity, regretting their faraway homeland, but cherishing their lives and those of their loved ones as precious possessions.

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Stylised Holy Family- large Francesco Pinton

This statue is in white porcelain and is produced in a limited number of pieces.

The Massacre of the Innocents

Like many episodes in the Holy Scriptures, the Massacre of the Innocents has also been the subject of study and diatribe regarding its historical veracity for centuries. We know from historical sources that Herod was, like many of his contemporaries, a cruel and ruthless king who did not hesitate to slaughter his own wife, three of his sons and other relatives, fearing they would usurp his power. Therefore, it’s not hard to believe that he also ordered the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem. But it could also just be a symbolic tale to reconnect the birth of Jesus with that of Moses.

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Resin statue king Herod 10 cm Martino Landi brand

Statue of king Herod, king of Judea sized 10 cm represented holding a torch. This statue is ideal for a 12 cm nativity scene.

The children killed in the massacre of the innocents are remembered by the church as martyrs and their liturgical memory falls on December 28, as the Feast of the Holy Innocents (Die sanctorum Ignoscentum). This feast falls within the Octave of Christmas, the feast days immediately following Christmas that celebrate the memory of men who were especially close to Christ, the Comites Christi, the “following of Christ.”