The Duomo- October 2022
THE DUOMO
In last month’s newsletter, I asked for your prayers for our trip to Italy. First, let me say that I’m truly grateful for your prayers. Secondly, let me say that we honestly needed them. And, finally, let me say that despite the challenges of such a long trip along with some of the difficulties we encountered, Elliott and I had an amazing time in an amazing place!
We traveled to Florence, Italy from Boston with Elliott’s sister, Martha, and her husband, Peter following their daughter’s wedding. Elliott had been to Florence with Martha in 2017, while I was on a mission trip in South Africa. My first (and perhaps last) trip to Florence left a lasting impression to say the least.
Something one gains by visiting an ancient city like Florence is perspective. We in the Lowcountry, of course, take pride in our own “old” city, which is rightly known for its art, architecture, and historical significance.
Charleston was founded in 1670. Florence was founded in the 1st century BCE. That’s perspective!
The oldest church structure in Charleston is the beautiful St. Michael’s Anglican Church. It was built between 1671 and 1681. The 186 ft. white spire is the gem of Charleston’s skyline. One of the interesting features of St. Michael’s are the Tuscan columns, which support the church’s classical portico. (Tuscan columns was an architectural style that originated in Tuscany, the region of Italy where Florence exits).
By contrast, construction of the Florence Duomo, also known as Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral (Duomo means cathedral) was begun in 1296 and was consecrated in 1436. At the time it was the world’s largest house of worship, able to accommodate 30,000 worshipers. Just as St. Michael’s white steeple dominates the Charleston skyline, the magnificent red bricked dome of the Duomo dominates Florence’s skyline.
One of the many awe-inspiring features of the Duomo is it’s three-colored marble façade. As we traveled outside the city one day, we passed by the quarries where the white Carrara marble was mined. Walking around the Duomo and across Duomo Square, one’s eyes are drawn to the uniqueness, the hugeness, and the almost surreal structure. People from all over the world crowded the streets around the cathedral and the Duomo Square, admiring the stunning stonework and intricate details of its lines and legacy in Christendom.
I read a quote in some of the literature which stated, “The glory of Florence is in its past.” The same might be said of Charleston, or any other historic city. It’s not my intention to dismiss history or the significance of man-made monuments, presumably built to the glory of God.
Again, perspective is important. One of the great benefits we gain from the careful reading of the Bible is just that – perspective. The Bible makes it clear that the church is the living, breathing, moving, working, worshiping, obedient Body of Christ. The church is not the building we meet in or the structure in which we worship. The church is the people of God, united as a family of Christ-followers, who are devoted to worship and prayer, ministry and fellowship, and missions and discipleship.
The glory of the church is not relegated to the past, but is brought forward into the present, and is promised in the future.
Paul teaches us that each one of us is a “temple of the Holy Spirit” (I Corinthians 6:19). And Peter says this: You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God (I Peter 2:4-5).
The Scripture speaks also of a Temple in heaven, where Jesus ministers as the Great High Priest. Hebrews 8 says, There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands (Hebrews 8:2). But in that day when the Lord returns and the world is made new, and the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven from God, things change. This is what John saw in Revelation 21: I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. Therefore, we earnestly join with John, imploring the Lord: Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!