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Κυριακή 9 Δεκεμβρίου 2012

VATICAN 1966 - The work of man

Il lavoro dell'uomo

5L Paolo VI - Paul VI

10L Musica - Music

15L Scienze - Sciences

20L Pittura - Painting

30L Scultura - Sculpture

40L Arte edile - Art building

55L Arte del legno - Woodworking

75L Agricoltura - Agriculture

90L Arte del ferro - Iron Art

130L Studio - Study

150L Stemma di Paolo VI - Coat of arms of Paul VI

180L Paolo VI - Paul VI

VATICAN 1965 - 7th centenary of the birth of Dante Alighieri

7º centenario della nascita di Dante Alighieri

10L Dante Alighieri

40L L'inferno - hell

70L Il purgatorio - purgatory

200L Il paradiso - heaven

Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), Italian poet wrote La Divina Commedia (The Divine Comedy), his allegory of life and God as revealed to a pilgrim, written in terza rima;Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise), written between 1307 and 1321.

The dates of when Dante’s works were written are inexact and many are unfinished, although there is no doubt that Dante is known as the source of modern Italian. Dante has affected a profound influence on numerous poets, playwrights, and authors right into the 21st century.

Although his exact birth date is not known, Dante Alighieri was born in Florence, Italy in the year 1265. His mother Donna Gabriella degli Abati died when he was very young. His father was Alighiero di Bellincione Alighieri, a notary from a family loyal to the Guelphs. The Guelphs supported the Papacy, while the other predominant family of the neighboring area in Tuscany, the Ghibellines, supported the German emperor, thus spurring many power struggles between the two.

It is said that Dante fought with the Guelphs as a cavalryman in the battle of Campaldino (1289), referred to in Purgatorio, which led to the defeat of the Ghibellines. The constitution of the Republic of Florence was reformed and around 1295 it was necessary for Dante to matriculate into the Guild of Physicians and Apothecaries in order to be active in government affairs as diplomat and magistrate. However by 1300 the Guelphs were themselves bitterly divided into two factions, Bianchi and Neri, the Black Guelphs and the White Guelphs. When the Black Guelphs seized power in Florence, all White Guelphs were banished in 1302, including Dante, with the threat of being burned alive if he ever returned.

Σάββατο 8 Δεκεμβρίου 2012

VATICAN 1965 - St. Benedict, patron of Europe

San Benedetto, patrono d'Europa

40L San Benedetto - St. Benedict

300L Monastero di Montecassino - Monastery of Montecassino

Benedict of Nursia (c.480–547) is a Christian saint, honored by the Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of Europe and students.

Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco, Italy (about 40 miles (64 km) to the east of Rome), before moving to Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy. There is no evidence that he intended to found a Roman Catholic religious order.^{[citation needed]} The Roman Catholic Order of St Benedict and the Anglican Order of St Benedict are of later origin and, moreover, not an "order" as commonly understood but merely a confederation of autonomous congregations.

Benedict's main achievement is his "Rule of Saint Benedict", containing precepts for his monks. It is heavily influenced by the writings of John Cassian, and shows strong affinity with the Rule of the Master. But it also has a unique spirit of balance, moderation and reasonableness, and this persuaded most religious communities founded throughout the Middle Ages to adopt it. As a result, his Rule became one of the most influential religious rules in Western Christendom. For this reason, Benedict is often called the founder of western monasticism.

more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_of_Nursia

Monte Cassino is a rocky hill about 130 kilometres southeast of Rome, Italy, c. 2 kilometres to the west of the town of Cassino and 520 m altitude. St. Benedict of Nursia established his first monastery, the source of the Benedictine Order, here around 529. It was the site of Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944. The site has been visited many times by the Popes and other senior clergy, including a visit by Pope Benedict XVI in May 2009. The monastery is one of the few remaining territorial abbeys within the Catholic Church.

more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Cassino

VATICAN 1965 - Paul VI's visit to UN headquarters

Visita di Paolo VI alla sede dell'ONU

20L Paolo VI - Paul VI

30L Palazzo dell'O.N.U. - Building Ordinance. N.U.

150L Palazzo dell'O.N.U. - Building Ordinance. N.U.

300L Paolo VI - Paul VI

POPE PAUL VI

1963-1978

Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini was born on September 26, 1897 at Concesio (Lombardy) of a wealthy family of the upper class. His father was a non-practicing lawyer turned editor and a courageous promoter of social action. Giovanni was a frail but intelligent child who received his early education from the Jesuits near his home in Brescia. Even after entering the seminary (1916) he was allowed to live at home because of his health. After his ordination in 1920 he was sent to Rome to study at the Gregorian University and the University of Rome, but in 1922 he transferred to the Accademia dei Nobili Ecclesiastici to study diplomacy continuing his canon law studies at the Gregorian. In 1923 he was sent to Warsaw as attache of the nunciature but was recalled to Rome (1924), because of the effect of the severe Polish winters on his health, and assigned to the office of the Secretariat of State where he remained for the next thirty years. Besides teaching at the Accademia dei Nobili Ecclesiastici he was named chaplain to the Federation of Italian Catholic University Students (FUCI), an assignment that was to have a decisive effect on his relations with the founders of the post-war Christian Democratic Party.
In 1937 he was named substitute for ordinary affairs under Cardinal Pacelli, the secretary of state, and he accompanied him to Budapest (1938) for the International Eucharistic Congress. On Pacelli's election as Pius XII in 1939, Montini was reconfirmed in his position under the new secretary of state, Cardinal Luigi Maglione. When the latter died in 1944, Montini continued to discharge his office directly under the pope. During World War II he was responsible for organizing the extensive relief work and the care of political refugees.
In the secret consistory of 1952 Pope Pius XII announced that he had intended to raise Montini and Domenico Tardini to the Sacred College but that they had both asked to be dispensed from accepting. Instead he conferred on both of them the title of prosecretary of state. The following year Montini was appointed Archbishop of Milan but still without the title cf cardinal. He took possession of his new See on January 5, 1955 and soon made himself known as the "archbishop of the workers." He revitalized the entire diocese, preached the social message of the Gospel, worked to win back the laboring class, promoted Catholic education at every level, and supported the Catholic press. His impact upon the city at this time was so great that it attracted world-wide attention. At the conclave of 1958 his name was frequently mentioned, and at Pope John's first consistory in December of that year he was one of 23 prelates raised to the cardinalate with his name leading the list. His response to the call for a Council was immediate and even before it met he was identified as a strong advocate of the principle of collegiality. He was appointed to the Central Preparatory Commission for Vatican II and also to the Technical-Organizational Commission.
On the death of Pope John XXIII, Montini was elected June 21, 1963 to succeed him. In his first message to the world, he committed himself to a continuation of the work begun by John XXIII. Throughout his pontificate the tension between papal primacy and the collegiality of the episcopacy was a source of conflict. On September 14, 1965 he announced the establishment of the Synod of Bishops called for by the Council fathers, but some issues that seemed suitable for discussion by the synod were reserved to himself. Celibacy, removed from the debate of the fourth session of the Council, was made the subject of an encyclical, June 24, 1967); the regulation of birth was treated in Humanae vitae July 24, 1968), his last encyclical. The controversies over these two pronouncements tended to overshadow the last years of his pontificate.
Pope Paul had an unaccountably poor press and his public image suffered by comparison with his outgoing and jovial predecessor. Those who knew him best, however, describe him as a brilliant man, deeply spiritual, humble, reserved and gentle, a man of "infinite courtesy." He was one of the most traveled popes in history and the first to visit five continents. His remarkable corpus of thought must be searched out in his many addresses and letters as well as in his major pronouncements. His successful conclusion of Vatican II has left its mark on the history of the Church, but history will also record his rigorous reform of the Roman curia, his well-received address to the UN in 1965, his encyclical Populorum progressio (1967), his second great social letter Octogesima adveniens(1971)—the first to show an awareness of many problems that have only recently been brought to light—and his apostolic exhortation Evangelii nuntiandi, his last major pronouncement which also touched on the central question of the just conception of liberation and salvation.
Pope Paul Vl, the pilgrim pope, died on August 6, 1978, the feast of the Transfiguration. He asked that his funeral be simple with no catafalque and no monument over his grave.

more at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/biography/documents/hf_p-vi_bio_16071997_biography_en.html

VATICAN 1965 - Christmas

Natale

20L Natività - Nativity

40L Natività - Nativity

200L Natività - Nativity

VATICAN 1965 - Sanctification of the martyrs of Uganda

Santificazione dei martiri dell'Uganda

15L San Giuseppe Musaka - St. Joseph Musaka

20L San Carolus Lwanga - St. Carolus Lwanga

Charles Lwanga ( Bulimu , 1865 - Namugongo , 3 June 1886 ) was a martyr in Uganda and is a saint in the Roman Catholic andAnglican Church .

30L San Matthias e San Lucas - St. Matthias and St. Lucas

75L Tre Santi - three Saints

100L San Andrea Kaggwa - St. Andrew Kaggwa

160L G.Gyavira e Mukasa

VATICAN 1954 - Bicentenary of the elevation to the papal chapel in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

Bicentenario dell'elevazione a cappella papale della basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi

20L Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi - Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

35L Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi - Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

The Papal Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (Italian: Basilica Papale di San Francesco, Latin: Basilica Sancti Francisci Assisiensis) is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor—commonly known as the Franciscan Order—in Assisi, Italy, the city where St. Francis was born and died. The basilica is one of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage in Italy. With its accompanying friary, the basilica is a distinctive landmark to those approaching Assisi. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

The basilica, which was begun in 1228, is built into the side of a hill and comprises two churches known as the Upper Church and the Lower Church, and a crypt where the remains of the saint are interred. The interior of the Upper Church is an important early example of the Gothic style in Italy. The Upper and Lower Churches are decorated with frescoes by numerous late medieval painters from the Roman and Tuscan schools, and include works by Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti and possibly Pietro Cavallini. The range and quality of the works gives the basilica a unique importance in demonstrating the development of Italian art of this period.

more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_San_Francesco_d'Assisi

VATICAN 1954 - Sanctification of Pius X

Santificazione di Pio X

10L Pio X benedicente - Pius X blessing

25L Pio X benedicente - Pius X blessing

35L Pio X benedicente - Pius X blessing

Pope Pius X

AKA Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto
Born: 2-Jun-1835
Birthplace: Riese, Treviso, Italy
Died: 20-Aug-1914
Location of death: Rome, Italy
Cause of death: unspecified
Gender: Male
Religion: Roman Catholic
Race or Ethnicity: White
Occupation: Religion
Nationality: Italy
Executive summary: Roman Catholic Pontiff, 1903-14
Father: Giovanni Battista Sarto (postman)
Mother: Margarita

Roman Catholic Pope 9-Aug-1903 to 20-Aug-1914
  Canonization 29-May-1954
  Heart Attack 1913
  Exhumed 19-May-1944

http://www.nndb.com/people/331/000088067/

Παρασκευή 7 Δεκεμβρίου 2012

VATICAN 1954 - Marian Year and the centenary of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception

Anno Mariano e centenario del dogma dell'Immacolata Concezione

3L Pius IX

4L Pius XII

6L Pius IX

12L Pius XII

20L Pius IX

35L Pius XII

Pope Pius IX

AKA Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti
Born: 13-May-1792
Birthplace: Senigallia, Italy
Died: 7-Feb-1878
Cause of death: unspecified
Remains: Buried, Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, Rome, Italy
Gender: Male
Religion: Roman Catholic
Race or Ethnicity: White
Occupation: Religion
Nationality: Italy
Executive summary: Declared himself infallible

Pope Pius XII

AKA Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli
Born: 2-Mar-1876
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
Died: 9-Oct-1958
Location of death: Castel Gandolfo, Italy
Cause of death: unspecified
Gender: Male
Religion: Roman Catholic
Race or Ethnicity: White
Occupation: Religion
Nationality: Italy
Executive summary: Signed treaty with Hitler
Father: Filippo Pacelli
Mother: Virginia Graziosi
Brother: Francesco Pacelli
University: Gregorian University, Rome, Italy
Theological: Sant' Apollinare, Rome, Italy
Roman Catholic Pope 2-Mar-1939 to 9-Oct-1958

more at nndb.com

VATICAN - 5th anniversary of the Lateran Pacts

25L Pio XI e città del Vaticano - Pius XI and the Vatican City
60L Pio XI e città del Vaticano - Pius XI and the Vatican City

Born: 31-May-1857
Birthplace: Desio, Italy
Died: 10-Feb-1939
Location of death: Rome, Italy
Cause of death: Natural Causes
Gender: Male
Religion: Roman Catholic
Race or Ethnicity: White
Occupation: Religion
Nationality: Italy
Executive summary: Signed Lateran Treaties with Mussolini
Father: (silk weaver)
University: Lombard College Rome
University: Gregorian University, Rome, Italy
University: La Sapienza, Rome, Italy

more at http://www.nndb.com/people/327/000088063/

Πέμπτη 6 Δεκεμβρίου 2012

VATICAN 1970 - Journey of Paul VI in Asia and Oceania

Viaggio di Paolo VI in Asia e Oceania

25L Paolo VI

55L Il Santo Niño

100L Madonna e Bambino

130L Cattedrale di Manila

220L Cattedrale di Sidney

VATICAN 1970 - 25th anniversary of the UN

25º anniversario dell'ONU

20L Adamo

90L Eva

220L Ramoscello d'olivo

Τετάρτη 5 Δεκεμβρίου 2012

Rihanna to Star in Style Nework's 'Styled to Rock' Series

Rihanna has signed up to executive produce and star in the Style Network's new designer competition series, "Styled to Rock," where she will showcase her love for fashion both in front of and behind the camera. The hour-long 10-episode series, to premiere in 2013, will feature 12 rising fashion designers picked and mentored by Rihanna to style other celebrities.

Although it's new to U.S. audiences, this isn't Rihanna's first time being a part of a fashion reality show. The singer also executive produced and appeared in a U.K.-based style competition of the same name, "Styled to Rock," for ten weeks in August.

http://www.billboard.com/column/the-hook/rihanna-to-star-in-style-nework-s-styled-1008038082.story#/column/the-hook/rihanna-to-star-in-style-nework-s-styled-1008038082.story

SIFNOS

Sifnos is located in the Aegean Sea and it belongs to the south-western Cyclades (located between Serifos, Kimolos and Paros). It is situated about 75, 6 nautical miles from Piraeus.

Platis Gialos is one of the biggest sandy beaches of the island and of the Cyclades. It is the most popular choice of the Greek visitors of the island.

Vathi is one of the most beautiful and the biggest beaches of the island and it is situated westwards, 14 kilometers from the capital of Sifnos, Apollonia.

The numerous churches and monasteries of Sifnos are closely related to the history, the architectural tradition and the religious – social life of the island.

There are eight parish churches in Sifnos: the parish church of Saint Spyridon in Apollonia, which is also the Cathedral of the island, the parish church of the Virgin Mary of Kochi (Panagia tis Kochis) in Artemonas, the parish church of the Taxiarchs in Agios Loukas, the parish church of Saint John the Prodromos, in Pano Petali, the parish church of the Life-giving Spring (Zoodochos Pigi) in Kato Petali, the parish church of the Virgin Mary the Merciful (Panagia Eleousa) in Kastro, the parish church of Saint Nicholas in Exabela and the parish church of Saint George in Katavati.

Αυτή η φωτογραφία του/της Σίφνος παρέχεται από το TripAdvisor

Αυτή η φωτογραφία του/της Σίφνος παρέχεται από το TripAdvisor

sifnos.gr

Τρίτη 4 Δεκεμβρίου 2012

GYTHIO

GYTHIO is located in middle south of Peloponese at the center of the Laconian Gulf.

A small Roman theatre was left by an earthquake that destroyed the city in the 4th century.

Gythio is protected by spurs of the mighty Taygetos mountain range. Its highest "Profitis Ilias", with 2.407 m the highest mountain on the whole Peloponese, makes a marvellous background scene.