Photographer's Note
The use of ossuaries is a longstanding tradition in the Orthodox Church. The remains of an Orthodox Christian are treated with special reverence, in conformity with the biblical teaching that the body of a believer is a "temple of the Holy Spirit" (I Corinthians 6:19, etc.), having been sanctified and transfigured by Baptism, Holy Communion and the participation in the mystical life of the Church. In Orthodox monasteries, when one of the brethren dies, his remains are buried (for details, see Christian burial) for one to three years, and then disinterred, cleaned and gathered into the monastery's charnel house. If there is reason to believe that the departed is a saint, the remains may be placed in a reliquary; otherwise the bones are usually mingled together (skulls together in one place, long bones in another, etc.). The remains of an abbot may be placed in a separate ossuary made out of wood or metal.
The use of ossuaries is also found among the laity in the Greek Orthodox Church. The departed will be buried for one to three years and then, often on the anniversary of death, the family will gather with the parish priest and celebrate a parastas (memorial service), after which the remains are disinterred, washed with wine, perfumed, and placed in a small ossuary of wood or metal, inscribed with the name of the departed, and placed in a room, often in or near the church, which is dedicated to this purpose.
(wikipedia)
In WS another two complementary photos.
jhm, Nard, Ilducabianco, Ilducabianco, Sonata11, Budapestman, francio64 has marked this note useful
Critiques | Translate
dkmurphys
(36819) 2011-12-30 2:36
Hi Vasilis,
Impressive place like I've seen in Rome or Palermo. Good bw choice, well done.
Happy New Year!
Yiannis84
(2824) 2011-12-30 3:49
Geia sou Vasili.
Wraia kai dynath fotografia apo tous progonous mas
Sou euxwmai ta kalytera gia to 2012
Xairetismata
Yiannis
Bluejeans
(64239) 2011-12-30 4:13
Ola Vasilis ,
Uma foto bem dramática com estas caveiras nesta igreja ortodoxa , belos detalhes , boa escolha pelo preto e branco , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo
Bom Ano 2012
jhm
(122458) 2011-12-30 4:15
Hello Vasilis,
Not immediate a pleasant image for look at.
A pity a lot year ago and nobody has learned about it past.
I future shall come the same killings
Excellent composition nice presentation too.
Very well done, TFS
All the best in 2012,
John.
Nard
(6913) 2011-12-30 5:50
Hi Vasilis
It is really amazing and impressive but well done. A strange but strong composition enhanced by the B&W.That seems a bottomless hole. Great shot.
Regards
Bernard
Sergiom
(39259) 2011-12-30 6:38
Bonjour Vasilis,
Ce n'est pas très réjouissant comme photo pour la fin de l'année, mais c'est techniquement très bien réussi et le noir et blanc ajoute au drame de l'ensemble.
Bonne et heureuse année 2012
Serge
Sonata11
(28341) 2011-12-30 11:13
Hello Vasilis,
it is a very sad and impressive to look at this picture, but You did great job to choose B&W colors for this composition. Perfectly well done.
I cordially greet and have a HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR 2012,
Barbara
prasun984
(5590) 2011-12-30 11:15
Hi Vasilis,
like the framing by the so many skeletons in the passage...lovely play of light...
nice B/W tone & sharpness...
I wish you a Happy New Year 2012, along with all your family...
Prasun
Budapestman
(82620) 2011-12-30 11:44
Hi Vasilis,
an impressive photo of this place with spectacular composition, good choice the B&W, superb light control, TFS! Happy New Year to you and your family!
György
francio64
(38188) 2011-12-30 13:28
Hi Vasilis,
un pò macabra come immagine, ma di notevole importanza culturale.
Vedo che su ogni teschio è inciso il nome della persona defunta.
TFS!
Francesco
emka
(58152) 2011-12-30 23:32
Hi Vasilism,
What a macabre for the end of the year! I saw some of such ossuaries in different parts of the world, but not with the names on the skull. Brrr... I am glad that there is no such custom in Poland - to wash dead body of the loved one with wine and perfum, better not to think about it... Impressive view anyway.
Have a healthy 2012
Malgo
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Vasilis Protopapas (vasilpro)
(40192) - Genre: People
- Medium: Black & White
- Date Taken: 2011-08-30
- Categories: Daily Life, Decisive Moment
- Camera: Nikon D90, Nikon AF-S VR 18-105mm f/3.5 - 5.6G ED, B+W 67mm Skylight Filter
- Exposure: f/3.5, 1/60 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
- Theme(s): Mount Athos - Agion Oros [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2011-12-30 0:49









