tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73042886598650075.post3169652983221779944..comments2024-03-22T11:37:52.668-05:00Comments on Byzantine, Texas: Church vestments examinedByzantine, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17845681957622343484noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73042886598650075.post-85133585502999576712022-07-07T18:49:22.518-05:002022-07-07T18:49:22.518-05:00The problem with this kind of thinking is that it ...The problem with this kind of thinking is that it assumes that different 'contemporaries' are fundamentally of equal worth, and that they would be interchangeable if not for the contextual baggage they've accumulated. This is simply wrong. Looking at high-society dress, for instance, it is obvious that Roman dress was designed to make people look like icons of authority. It hearkened back to the philosopher-togas of ancient Greece, while adding the rich brocades of oriental potentates. Everything about it exudes ecumenical authority rather than individuality. Hence it is perfect for liturgical vestments. <br /><br />The elite dress of nowadays (Armani suits and cocktail dresses) aim to emphasize individual expression and sexual confidence. I don't say that to disparage it, but merely to affirm the obvious - it's designed to express modern values, which makes it completely unsuitable as liturgical vestments. <br /><br />It's much the same with architecture. Roman architecture was designed to express the permanent authority and universality of the empire. It was massive and eternal and built from the most beautiful natural materials. Hence it was the perfect architectural expression for the Church. Contemporary architecture seeks to express transparency, ephemerality and novelty, using the most artificial materials. It's the perfect architecture for corporate office buildings, as it expresses the versatile power of new ideas and money. It is obviously and deliberately the exact opposite of liturgical architecture. <br /><br />As it is often said, it is no accident the Christ became incarnate at the height of the Roman Empire. The cultural conditions were perfect for establishing His Church. The Church should never forget that Rome was its cradle. Andrew Gouldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09237116717370542536noreply@blogger.com