Friday 28 September 2007

The Phoenix Reborn

Harry Potter fans will know all about this; the Phoenix, which (in pagan legend) lived for a thousand years until consumed by flames, was reborn from its own ashes. In the context of the Christian faith, the Phoenix has long been understood as a symbol of Christ. As the mythical bird arises to life after having died, so Christ conquers death in his resurrection.

The mosaic is one of the series executed by the Russian artist Boris Anrep in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

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