So Many Ruins, So Little Time and Assissi

June 15--day 7

Historians know the exact times and dates. Mount Vesuvius (in the background in several pictures below), erupted and rained tiny little pebbles, and then a layer of ash many feet deep onto the town of Pompeii. This combination of tiny little rocks and ash preserved this ancient like none other in history. Tim has taught about this ancient city. He was thrilled to get to visit it. From the pictures, you can see that the city was impressive...

a bakery in Pompeii

Tim at the amphitheater in Pompeii

In order to preserve the some of the bodies as they lay, when archaeologists came to a point in the ruins that sounded hollow, they made an opening in the top and poured plaster in to replace the flesh. They would get the form of the person where they died. 

at the Forum in Pompeii

columns in Pompeii

more ruins

more ruins

From Pompeii, we headed north to the town of Assisi. Catholicism had (and perhaps, still has) so much influence over this country. Here, as least, it sometimes seems to be a blend of Christianity and superstition. I know many Catholics who have a strong faith and who firmly believe that relying on Jesus is the only way to live. The story of St. Francis, as told by both our guide, Dina, and by our local specialist (can't remember her name) is an interesting one. In short, he came from a wealthy family, heard in a dream, that he was supposed to rebuild Christ's church, took a vow of poverty, preached a sermon to the birds (in their language) and cared deeply for animals. The most interesting story of St. Francis of Assisi is that of the stigmata. It is said that Francis received the wounds of Jesus...I'm just going to leave that one alone (really, because I don't know what to do with it).

Regardless, the church and town of Assisi are beautiful. We couldn't take pictures inside, where the most beautiful frescoes depicting both the life of Christ and of Francis.

the church of St. Francis of Assiss

the church of St. Francis of Assisi

the town of Assisi (and a Friar)

the town of Asissi

You're still reading? Hmm...as to the term saint and how the Catholic church canonizes...I don't understand that part either. Because of the blood of Christ, all believers are saints. But that's a post of another day.